Get involved with the sustainability agenda

Want to get involved with the sustainability agenda at the University of Plymouth? Here's how whether you're staff or student

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) stands tall on the Students Union.
Photographed by student Emmanuel Ikhizama, using an iPhone 8 Plus for the 2023 Biodiversity Photography Competition.

We have many opportunities at the University, in the Student Union, and in the city to get involved in sustainability. Explore and find out more how you can make difference.

Sustainability events are run across the University for staff and students. Find out what’s on below.

Sustainability events

Campus cafés events 4 October 2023
Campus cafés events 6 October 2023
Tamar Valley Food Hubs 6 October 2023 15:30 - 15:45
Campus cafés events 2 October 2023 - 8 October 2023
Campus cafés events 10 October 2023

More related events

University sustainability activities and initiatives

Beekeeping Group
For students and staff looks after our beehives, supporting the honeybee as a pollinator.

Micro-Internship opportunities
For students as part of the Careers Service Micro Intern programme.

Bicycle User Group
For staff to connect with a network of cyclists and find support.

University sustainability learning resources
For staff and students to give you the basics about sustainability at the University.

Reducing Your Footprint
Campaigns and initiatives running across campus focusing on energy reduction.

iNaturalist
This project is for staff and students to showcase the plant, animal, and fungus diversity of the University.

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You can find out about specific sustainability topics and their initiatives through our homepage, including on waste, energy, water, carbon and travel.

Sustainability Trails and Maps

We have created a sustainability map of the campus to give you a tour of the features we use at the University. There are 5 layers you can switch between; Sustainability Tour, Water Fountains, Cycle Facilities, Specialist Recycling, and EV Charging.

We also have a zero waste map of Plymouth. We detail lots of zero waste shops and second-hand stores in the City to help you reduce your waste, and you can also save money too! Know any more locations that should be on our map? Drop us an email on sustainability@plymouth.ac.uk

Student groups

There are a number of student society groups with UPSU at the University with a focus on sustainability such as; Enviro Soc, vegetarian & vegan society, wildlife and ecological society, the marine biology society, and more. Across our main campus, CobBauge has a dedicated student growing space, where you can see the growing efforts of the UPSU Gardening Society. You can also find specific groups at the University and in the City on our SharePoint page. Even societies and sports clubs without a specific focus on sustainability can get involved through the UPSU Extra Mile Scheme.

The Students' Union also hosts student led volunteering opportunities, such as the Hedgehog Friendly Campus group, actioning biodiversity on campus, as well as opportunities at Dartmoor Zoo and the Barn Owl trust. There are also external opportunities to volunteer, and ways to fundraise on the UPSU volunteering page.

The student voice in sustainability

It’s important that as a University we act in the interests of our students. That’s why we want students to be involved in raising sustainability issues. All the elected student representatives of the student union consider aspects of sustainability, and attend the sustainability decision making groups at the University, including the University Executive Group, and the Sustainability Advisory Group along with its associated subgroups.

You also have a dedicated part time Environmental Officer who acts as your representative. You too can be part of this process by running for one of these roles - if you have any concerns about what the role actually includes, then you can reach out to UPSU or our team.

Find out more about Sustainability decision making and policies.
Raise Sustainability concerns with your Student Union sabbatical officers and the student voice team.
UPSU hosts regular sustainability forums for students to feedback on the Union and University sustainability.
You can also email the sustainability team any questions, feedback, or suggestions you might have.

Students involved in the Coronation BioBlitz in Drake’s Place on 3rd May 2023

Rebel Botanists from Green Minds Plymouth were invited to Campus to help students and staff identify campus flora in April 2023

Pollenize facilitating a BioBlitz of our wildflowers on 27th March 2023, photographed by Chris Parkes

External sustainability opportunities

Volunteer with external organisations

Plymouth City Council parks volunteering

Plymouth Climate Hub

Green Minds: Rewilding People and Places

Plymouth Environmental Action

Ocean Conservation Trust

Wembury Marine Centre

Burrator Reservoir Volunteering

Discover more

Sustainability is embedded not just in operations across the University but also in our course provision, education methods and research.

Sustainability Courses and Programmes
Plymouth offers a range of sustainability themed courses and programmes across many disciplines.

Sustainability Education
Discover how the Centre for Sustainable Futures works to embed sustainability across our faculties.

Aerial view from high altitude of little planet earth with small village houses and distant green cultivated agricultural fields with growing crops on bright summer evening

Sustainability Research
Our Sustainable Earth Institute is about advancing research, knowledge and innovation for a more sustainable Earth.