World leaders are meeting at COP26 this week to agree a commitment to meet ambitious emissions reductions targets by 2030. This week we’ve been examining the university’s role in tackling climate change, both through our research and our campus operations.

While it's clear that there is much work to be done to improve the sustainability practices of our global industries, there are also small actions that we can all take that will add up to big change.

What can I do?

If you've never done so before, then calculating your carbon footprint can be a good place to start. The WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator breaks your footprint down into four key areas and explains how it compares to emissions targets. Your results will be accompanied by advice on how to further reduce your emissions.

In a blog post recently published by our Sustainability Team, they offered a shortcut to reducing your carbon footprint. Here's their suggested cheat sheet:

• Flying less
• Driving less
• Buying less
• Eating less meat
• Using less energy

Download a copy of their Sustainable Living Guide.

Sustainable Nottingham

Nottingham is a great place to improve the sustainability of your lifestyle. As well as having a great public transport network, we also have plenty of cycle paths and shared paths. Cycling is the most eco-friendly form of transport, reduces congestion and helps to keep us fit. We have secure cycle storage across our campuses and The Nottingham Cycle map is available online or from the Tourist Information Office in Old Market Square.

Nottingham is also home to a number of zero waste shops. Here you can buy dry foods (such as pasta, rice, lentils, nuts, fruit) by weight, which often works out cheaper than buying them pre-packaged, and they come in reusable paper bags or tubs. They also offer refills of items such as washing up liquid, surface cleaners and laundry detergent, as well as plenty of reusable or low waste household items – bamboo toothbrushes, washing up sponges and sanitary products.

At home you can consider buying locally sourced food or eating seasonally. This reduces the amount of airmiles that your food has to undergo to reach your plate. You can also make sure you compost any waste food in your garden – organic waste in landfills generates methane but composting food can reduce these emissions.

Our Sustainability Team are hosting loads of events over the next week to help you understand what you can do to make a difference. Get involved.