Sustainability Newsletter
Making a Green Impact in 2026
Welcome to our July Sustainability Newsletter. In this edition, we're celebrating the incredible achievements of our Green Impact community and recognising the inspiring sustainability action taking place across the University. We'll be highlighting the successes from this year's Green Impact Awards, showcasing some of the innovative projects delivered by teams, and sharing the exciting progress made through our Green Impact Laboratory Accreditation (GILA), which was launched in 2025.
We're also delighted to introduce our new Student Sustainability Awards, recognising students who are making a real difference across our campus and beyond.
CELEBRATING GREEN IMPACT 2026
On 16 June 2026, the University of York celebrated its annual Green Impact Awards, bringing together staff, students and sustainability teams from across the University to recognise the outstanding efforts helping to create a more sustainable campus community.
What is Green Impact?
Green Impact is a sustainability accreditation programme that recognises and rewards sustainability action by staff and students. Teams work through an online toolkit, completing sustainability actions, earning points and achieving Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond awards. Teams can also undertake a unique sustainability project to further extend their impact.
THIS YEAR'S CELEBRATION
This year's awards ceremony welcomed 80 guests to celebrate another successful year of Green Impact.
A highlight of the event was a visit from Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charlie Jeffery, who presented awards and spoke about his support for the enthusiasm, dedication and passion shown by participants.
Ceremony highlights included:
- 20 Green Impact teams were recognised during the ceremony.
- 14 teams completed the Green Impact Toolkit.
- 11 sustainability projects were successfully delivered.
- 2 teams achieved Diamond Awards for the first time.
- 2 teams achieved Diamond status for the second time after maintaining Platinum awards for five consecutive years.
- 5 Special Awards were presented to individuals and teams, nominated by their peers in recognition of their exceptional commitment and impact.
"This year's Green Impact and GILA teams have worked incredibly hard to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability across the University. Now in our 15th year of taking part, the programme continues to inspire staff teams to get involved, learn about different areas of sustainability, share information with others and make a real difference."
The ceremony also celebrated the contributions of individuals and teams through five Special Awards. In addition, the University presented the inaugural Student Sustainability Awards for the very first time.
Read on to explore some of the inspiring sustainability projects delivered by our Green Impact teams this year.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
Alongside completing the Green Impact Toolkit, teams can choose to undertake a unique sustainability project. Depending on its scope and impact, projects can achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum recognition.
This year, 11 projects were completed by 9 teams, demonstrating creativity, collaboration and innovation across the University community.
Baby Friendly GOLD
Platinum Project
The Department of Health Sciences successfully raised awareness and understanding of the positive sustainability impacts of breastfeeding within the undergraduate midwifery curriculum. Discover more about the Baby Friendly GOLD project.
Centre for Health Economics
Platinum Project
The Centre for Health Economics developed the Reducing AI and Digital Impact (ROADI) project, exploring the environmental footprint associated with increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI). The project highlighted how AI contributes to carbon emissions, water scarcity and e-waste, while sharing practical, low-effort actions that can help reduce environmental impacts without restricting effective use. Explore their sustainable AI resources.
Green Chemistry Sustainability Team
Platinum Project
With the help of their mascot, the Little Green Chemist, the team embarked on a Sustainable Lab Quest. This innovative awareness campaign promotes green and sustainable laboratory practices across the University, other higher education institutions, industry, schools and the wider public. Follow the Little Green Chemist's adventures on LinkedIn.
GEMS
Platinum Project
GEMS (Geographers and Environmentalists for Managing Sustainability) developed a student-led project to investigate how students are using AI in their studies and research, raising awareness of the environmental impacts associated with AI use and encouraging simple actions to reduce those impacts in everyday life.
Green OPPAtunities
Platinum Project
This year, the Green OPPAtunities team from the Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni revitalised the Tribute Garden in the Quiet Place, creating a welcoming space to remember students, staff and alumni. Join OPPA's York For Life Sustainability Network.
Stockholm Environment Institute York
Platinum Project
The Stockholm Environment Institute York developed the S.E.I'm Hungry Recipe Collection — a collection of sustainability-focused recipes, each accompanied by a short scientific story exploring the links between food choices, climate change and environmental sustainability. Try a recipe from the SEI Cooking Collective.
GEMS
Gold Project
GEMS delivered a gold-winning project focused on biodiversity and rewilding through volunteering at the local nature reserve, St Nicks, strengthening connections between campus and community.
Plant-based Posse
Gold Project
The student-led Plant-based Posse created a digital recipe book featuring their own plant-based recipes, which they shared at the University's New Year, Same Planet Fair. Try one of their recipes.
The Norwegian Study Centre
Gold Project
The Norwegian Study Centre's Rooted Stories event brought together students and members of the local community through a powerful combination of Scandinavian cinema and environmental action.
Green Chemistry Sustainability Team
Silver Project
The team transformed coffee waste into compost for Derwent Garden while creating a buzz around biodiversity within the department.
Natural Sciences Green Team
Bronze Project
Natural Sciences students coordinated the planting of a commemorative tree to celebrate their department, whose final full cohort graduates this summer.
Green OPPAtunities
Green OPPAtunities
Biology M2 Lab
Biology M2 Lab
Green Chemistry Sustainability Team
Green Chemistry Sustainability Team
International Pathway College
International Pathway College
SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND
This year, four teams achieved the prestigious Diamond Award — the highest level within the Green Impact Programme and currently unique to the University of York.
The Green OPPAtunities Team and Biology M2 Lab Team achieved Diamond status after maintaining Platinum awards for five consecutive years. The Green Chemistry Sustainability Team and International Pathway College retained Diamond status for a second year.
At the awards ceremony, Professor Charlie Jeffery joked that we may need to create a new award category for these exceptional teams next year!
Here's a glimpse of what these teams have been doing:
Green OPPAtunities
The team remains fully committed to enhancing, celebrating and recording biodiversity across campus and promoting the wellbeing benefits it brings. This year, they helped prepare the sand martin bird "hotels" on Campus East for their newest residents.
Biology M2 Lab
Alongside balancing their research activities and GILA commitments, the team organised a sustainable bake-off during Sustainability Week, awarding points for criteria such as seasonal ingredients, organic produce, dairy-free recipes and reducing food waste.
Green Chemistry Sustainability Team
As the University's largest registered Green Impact team, they champion collaboration between students and staff within the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence and actively share their experiences with institutions across the UK.
INTERNATIONAL PATHWAY COLLEGE
The team continues to engage students and staff through creative sustainability initiatives. This year, activities included a Sustain-ability art exhibition, podcasts, litter picks and a collaborative collage inspired by New Year sustainability pledges.
GREEN IMPACT LAB ACCREDITATION SUCCESS
This summer, 32 teams from across the University achieved Green Impact Laboratory Accreditation (GILA) after successfully completing the second round of sustainable accreditation for wet laboratories.
Lab groups achieving GILA demonstrate standardised progress towards embedding sustainability within their research practices. Accreditation also provides valuable evidence when applying for research funding, demonstrating their commitment to environmentally sustainable research.
Following laboratory audits in May 2026, successful teams implemented an impressive 1,476 sustainability actions, finding creative and innovative ways to improve sustainability in their labs.
When asked what they were most proud of this year, teams highlighted improved collaboration, sharing best practice and reducing waste as key successes.
Some standout achievements include:
- The Chemical Biology Sustainability Team introduced a barcoding system that has helped catalogue approximately 2,000–3,000 chemicals, reducing unnecessary purchasing and improving stock management.
- The Complex Interface Team and Quinn Lab became the first laboratory in Physics to implement polystyrene and polypropylene recycling.
- The Chemistry Analytical Facility (CAF) Team maintained and repaired legacy equipment rather than purchasing new items, supporting a circular economy approach.
- The NeuroBio D1 Team highlighted the success of simple sustainability prompts, such as stickers placed near light switches, which have sparked valuable conversations about sustainability in the lab.
The new GILA 2026/27 Toolkit will be available in late summer/early autumn.
Student involvement:
project assistants & auditors
Students continue to play an essential role in the Green Impact programme, either by volunteering as Green Impact Project Assistants (GIPAs) or as auditors.
This year, 28 students volunteered as auditors, helping assess both Green Impact Toolkit and GILA teams and ensuring participants received the recognition they had worked so hard to achieve.
A further 23 students volunteered as GIPAs, supporting teams throughout the year. These students organised events, created communications materials, led meetings and helped teams keep their online toolkits up to date. These opportunities provide valuable experience in real-world sustainability practice while developing skills in communication, project planning and teamwork.
At the awards ceremony, we celebrated 12 outstanding students nominated by their teams for a Student Leadership Green Impact Special Award.
Parnika Parulkar, the overall winner, was recognised for her enthusiasm, solutions-focused approach and positive contribution to GEMS. Her supportive nature and infectious energy helped motivate her team and strengthen collaboration throughout the year.
Interested in getting involved? Keep an eye on our social media channels this autumn for future GIPA opportunities.
Parnika Parulkar, Student Leadership Green Impact Special Award winner
Parnika Parulkar, Student Leadership Green Impact Special Award winner
NEW FOR 2026:
STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
As part of this year's Green Impact Awards ceremony, we were delighted to celebrate the winners of the first ever Student Sustainability Awards at the University of York.
Launched in partnership with York Students' Union, these awards recognise students making a positive contribution to sustainability across both the University and the wider City of York.
Through research, community action and creative projects, our students are helping to create a more sustainable future while inspiring others to take action.
Congratulations to all of this year's award recipients, and thank you for your dedication, passion and commitment to sustainability. Your efforts are helping create a more sustainable future for everyone.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED NEXT YEAR
Feeling inspired by this year's Green Impact teams? Whether you're a member of staff or a student, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
FOR STAFF
Members of staff and postgraduate researchers (PGRs) can join an existing departmental team or create a new team of their own.
FOR STUDENTS
Undergraduate and taught postgraduate students can get involved by volunteering as a Green Impact Project Assistant (GIPA) or Green Impact Auditor.
The 2026/27 Green Impact programme will open in Autumn 2026, so keep an eye on our Green Impact webpages for further updates.
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