Sustainability Action Week is back in 2024, 18-22 March!
Join us for a dedicated week of activities and events highlighting environmental and social issues and action at UoN. There is something for everyone across our UK campuses, from wellbeing walks to nature talks.
This year we are excited to be joining forces with the Department for Music and the BBC Concert Orchestra with performances of 'Wild Isles' and student compositions.
Organise your own event
Get in touch if you have an idea or would like to run an event or activity in your area.
Get in touch
Find out what we have planned below.
More events may be added in the run up to the week. Stay up to date by subscribing to the university’s Sustainability Newsletter.
Lakeside listening posts - from 18 March
Can a buttercup be a musical instrument? Can a spider’s web be a source of poetic inspiration?
The Lakeside Listening posts at Highfields Park have been taken over by two university researchers, Dr Duncan Macleod and Dr Lila Matsumoto. Duncan’s research looks at how the nature around us can inspire and even create pieces of music, while Lila’s research focuses on eco-poetry. Eco-poetry is creative writing which raises awareness of the environment and ecological crises.
Take a wander around the lake at Highfields and listen to the poetry and the music composed and performed by Lila and Duncan for you and for Sustainability Action Week 2024. Available through to summer.
Dr Bike at Sutton Bonington
12-2pm Outside the Hive Cafe
Dr Bike is an on-site bike maintenance service. The Dr Bike mechanic will give cycles a thorough check and make any minor repairs such as changing brake blocks and tightening brakes.
Book a place
'Rewilding our campuses' Lunch and Learn Online Talk
12-12.30pm Online Microsoft Teams
Across the globe nature is in rapid decline as habitats are destroyed and polluted. The University of Nottingham is lucky to have one of the greenest campuses of any UK university with a rich variety of habitats and wildlife. The university has pledged to become a Nature Positive University. This means we are committed to understanding the impacts of the university's activities on nature and setting targets to reverse this.
Find out more about how we can use our campuses to tackle the nature crisis and help the wildlife that lives here thrive and the part you can play.
Sign up here
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EcoHealthSoc Clothing Drive
Medical School Reception and Health Science Office
Eco-Healthcare society is running a clothing drive! They are asking for donations of clothing that you no longer need, all donations will go to the homelessness charity, Emmanuel House. Donation boxes will be locaterd in the Medical School Reception and Health Science Office all week.
Alternatively, they will be collecting donations in the medical school foyer on 20th of March from 11-1PM.
DM @uonecohealthsoc on instagram if you have any further questions.
Charity book sales
Pro Bono Society 11am-3pm Hallward Library | 11am-1pm Upstairs in the Barn, Sutton Bonington
Fiction and non-fiction books for sale from 50p. All proceeds going to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
'Sustainability at Castle Meadow Campus' Lunch and Learn Online Talk
12-12.30pm Online Microsoft Teams
Join us for a short snapshot into the role of re-use within the built environment, with a particular focus on our approach at Castle Meadow Campus.
Sign up here
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'Humans & Whales - Hunting, palaeontology & conservation' Public Lecture
6-7pm A30 Lecture Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre, Music Department, University Park
Humans have long had a complicated relationship with whales. They’ve been seen as resources, with some species sadly hunted almost to extinction. But that’s only one part of the story. Whales have also long mystified scientists - especially over the question of their evolutionary origins. More recently, conserving global whale populations has become a priority.
This talk will summarise these human-whale interactions and reaffirm the view that whales are some of the most beloved and curious creature in the animal kingdom.
Simon Hill is a Teaching Associate at the University of Nottingham. He works on the history of whaling, and has subsequently expanded his research to issues of conservation.
Register here
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Sustainablity Fair at Humanities
10am-4pm Humanities Building Atrium
Visit the Humanities atrium for displays and reflections on sustainability, with a focus on the seasons – how human societies have marked them and how they are changing. We have a talk on waste management – surely everyone’s favourite topic – a stationery swap meet, and a happening to highlight the perils of plastic waste. We’ll have advice on avoiding food waste and are collecting spare tins/packets for a local food bank. And we’re inviting you to contribute your hopes, fears, and questions to our Tree of Life.
Everyone welcome.
Wellbeing Walk at Sutton Bonington
10.30am Meet under the bandstand
Take a break and get outside on this guided walk around Sutton Bonington campus. Contact Zoe Phillips for more information.
'Net Zero UoN' Lunch and Learn Online Talk
12-12.30pm Online Microsoft Teams
Join us for a session focused on aligning with University ambitions regarding net zero, science-based targets, and addressing challenges such as meeting these targets, managing energy use and cost, and implementing projects like metering and monitoring.
Sign up here
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Hands-on habitat creation on The Downs
1-3pm Meet at the Millennium Garden
Help the grounds team create new wildlife habitats on The Downs. Create a dead hedge using fallen materials and self-set vegetation and extend the adjacent new memorial woodland habitats.
Add to your calendar
Please read the risk assessment before attending. Grounds can provide PPE essential to the task, including gloves, eye protection and hi-vis vests. Volunteers should provide their own footwear and will not be permitted to work with inadequate footwear on tasks where risk of foot injury is possible. First Aid kit will be provided on site.
Wild Isles in Concert with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Sustainability Showcase
7.30pm Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall will host ‘Wild Isles in Concert’, a spectacular symphonic encounter with the wildlife of the British Isles as captured in Sir David Attenborough’s landmark series. With a cinema-size screen showing highlights from BBC One ‘Wild Isles’, expect breathtaking images as award-winning composer George Fenton conducts the full BBC Concert Orchestra in a live performance of the soundtrack music he composed for them.
Would you ever eat an insect? What can a talking deckchair teach us about climate change? How can we flood and future-proof our cities?
These are some of the questions being answered as we take over the entire 6 floors of the foyer space at the Royal Concert Hall for a Sustainability Showcase, running from 6.30pm.
The foyers will be filled by research from across UoN and NTU with interactive displays and installations show the wide range of work happening at our university to address sustainability and climate change.
Experience cutting-edge research on materials, greenhouse gases and landscape protection measures, educational equipment such as talking deckchairs and boardgames, and think about what you can do to help protect our planet through even the most local actions, such as what plants can you grow at home.
Cycle Fair at University Park
10am-2pm Quad outside George Green Library and Physics
Nottingham Bikeworks will join Dr Bike with a refurbished bike sale. Fully serviced, second hand bikes are available for as little as £80 to help you travel to campus sustainably and save some money too. There will be free bike registering by Nottinghamshire Police and cycling freebies from university security, which you don't need to sign up for. Just come along!
Book on to Dr Bike in advance
'Climate Adaption and Resilience' Lunch and Learn Online Talk
12-12.30pm Online Microsoft Teams
The evidence is clear: our planet is warming, and global heating is locked in for many decades, bringing extreme weather and climate shocks. But we know that carbon reduction action is now not enough on its own to tackle the climate crisis. Climate adaptation is also needed to increase resilience and deliver co-benefits. The university is examining the risks of climate change to our campuses and assessing potential actions to alleviate the impacts of extreme weather. Find out more about how we are approaching this.
Sign up here
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Litter pick at Sutton Bonington
12pm meet at Costcutters Cafe
Lend a hand picking litter to help make our campus a safer and more enjoyable place for animal and human visitors alike. Equipment provided. Contact Zoe Phillips for more information.
BBC Concert Orchestra perform student compostitions - SOLD OUT
Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts
Musicians from the BBC Concert Orchestra will perform compositions by University of Nottingham students to films created by Nottingham Trent University students. The culmination of workshops with acclaimed filmmaker Alastair Fothergill and composer of BBC TV documentary ‘Wild Isles’, George Fenton, this is an opportunity to experience the next generation’s creative powers.
Throughout the lobby spaces there will be stands and interactive exhibitions highlighting the incredible work of members of our university and those of NTU on environmental sustainability.
Free - Book now
Bulb planting at Sutton Bonington
11am, Meet at the island, end of North lab car park
Help plant summer bulbs for spring to autumn colour in the island bed in front of North Lab on Sutton Bonington campus.
Contact Zoe Philips for more information.
Please read the risk assessment before attending. Grounds can provide PPE essential to the task, including gloves, eye protection and hi-vis vests. Volunteers should provide their own footwear and will not be permitted to work with inadequate footwear on tasks where risk of foot injury is possible. First Aid kit will be provided on site.
'Sustainable Training and Education' Lunch and Learn Online Talk
12-12.30pm Online Microsoft Teams
The University of Nottingham is committed to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our research and education, our engagement with partners and our behaviour on campus and in our communities. We need to scale-up sustainable action and shift mindsets across our campuses to do this.
How much do you really know about sustainability? Can you name the actions with the biggest environmental impact? Join us to hear about two ongoing projects aimed at providing our staff and students with more teaching and training opportunities and resources to explore the knowledge, skills and values we need to confidently tackle an uncertain future and work together towards local, national and global sustainability goals. We welcome your ideas and feedback to collaboratively shape this sustainability journey.
Sign up here
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Gen Z Mental Health: Climate Stories film and pizza event
3-4pm, Hallward Screening Room, LG140, Hallward Library, University Park Campus
Gen Z Mental Health: Climate Stories is a short documentary that explores the mental health impacts of the climate crisis to young adults worldwide, and considers what resilience means when fighting for the right to a liveable planet. The film captures the emotions of a generation that may be frightened, but is anything but hopeless, saving room for stories of love, community connections, and healing.
Directed by Tehya Jennett of Stranded Astronaut Productions
The screening of this short film will be followed by an informal discussion of the issues raised. There is an urgent need to create space to talk about the climate crisis, how it affects us and what we can do to take action. Individual actions alone will not solve the problem, but many of us feel the overwhelming responsibility to make significant changes, and fast. By coming together in community and partnership, we can express our shared concerns and find comfort in shared experiences, and begin to imagine a better world. If you would like to share your own story, ideas or concerns, this discussion provides a safe space for you to do just that.
There will be free vegan-friendly pizza. All staff and students welcome but please register as places are limited.
Book your place
Contact Kirsty Fox for more information.
Careers in sustainability
A range of events are being planned throughout the week to highlight green jobs and help students prepare for future careers in sustainability.
Find your Why: Identify, understand, and articulate your motivations
18 March, 2-3pm, Monica Partridge C12
Interested in a career in sustainability but not exactly sure how to communicate your motivation effectively? Join us for this workshop to discover your 'why', and how best to communicate this to an employer.
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Spotlight On: Sustainability Consultancy
19 March, 5-7pm, Pope C16
Join us for our Spotlight On: Sustainability Consultancy to hear from some of our graduates about their career journeys in sustainability...
Sign up here
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Spotlight On: Sustainable Energy
20 March, 3-5pm, Trent LG11
Sustainable energy is a thriving industry which offers a wide range of opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Join us and hear from industry experts about various careers within the sustainable energy sector and how you can contribute to a greener future.
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Finding Opportunities
22 March, 2-3.30pm, Monica Partridge C17
Want to find an internship or graduate role in the sustainability sector but aren't sure where to start looking? Join this interactive workshop to learn where to find valuable opportunities.
Book your place
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Lunchtime wellbeing walks on Thursday 21 March
Unwind in nature and recharge your mind. Green spaces have been proven to have a positive impact on our mental health, reducing levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue. Take some time out to explore our beautiful campuses. Visit some spaces you might not have been before and see what wildlife you can spot.
Join us for a guided walk! We'll be hosting four walks, one for each campus.
King's Meadow Campus
12-12.30pm, Meet at KMC reception
The walk will be around King's Meadow Campus along the footpath, no special footwear required.
Contact Sam Rudd for more information and advice.
To add the King's Meadow Campus walk to your calendar click here.
Jubilee Campus
12.30-1pm, the first meeting place will be outside Costa at the QMC at 12.30pm and then there will be a second meet up point at the BHF Clothes bank at the Derby Road entrance to Jubilee at around 12.40pm.
Contact Annabelle Long for more information and advice.
University Park Campus
12.30-1pm, Meet outside Portland Coffee
This walk will be around Highfields Lake to experience the special listening post installation for Sustainability Action Week.
Contact Emma Taylor for more information and advice.
Sutton Bonington Campus
12.30-1pm, Meet at Pegoda/under the bandstand
Contact Zoey Ratcliff for more information and advice.
To add the Jubilee, University Park or Sutton Bonington walk to your calendar click here.
Half price NCT Bus Ticket for UoN Staff and Students
Special offer for SAW - Half price NCT Bus Ticket for UoN Staff & Students
For one week only, NCT is offering all UON staff and students the opportunity to purchase 7 day bus tickets for half their usual price.
Half-price tickets must be bought during Sustainability Action Week (18 – 22 March 2024) but can be activated and used within 12 months of purchase. The code will work from 00:00 on 18 March 2024 to 23:59 on 22 March 2024.
To get the half-price offer you must purchase your 7 day ticket through NCTX Buses App and at the checkout apply this discount code SUSTAIN24 .
Here are some of the savings on offer:
- A 7 day adult ticket for the Nottingham City Zone will cost £11 (reduced from £22)
- A 7 day student ticket for the Nottingham City Zone will cost £8.50 (reduced from £17)
These tickets give you unlimited travel on NCT buses in the Nottingham City Zone for 7 days from activation. To buy these tickets look for the City Zone season tickets in the App, the ticket is called a ‘Cityrider’.
The half-price ticket offer also applies to NCT 7 day tickets for the Nottingham Outer Zone (called Network Tickets in the App) – for more information on ticket types and zones visit the NCT webpage.
If you are an existing NCTX App user, then there’s no need to set up a new account.
Each App account/customer can purchase up to 3 x 7 day tickets – and remember you have 12 months to activate and use any 7 day tickets that you purchase.
Tackle climate change with Climate Fresk
1-4pm Wednesday 27 March, A03 Humanities Building University Park
Want to help tackle climate change but not sure where to start? Climate Fresk is an interactive workshop that explores the science behind the climate emergency in a fun and engaging way!
The university is rolling out Climate Fresk and aiming to train up to 60 staff and students all at once on the science of climate change at a large Kick Off event.
In just 3 hours, the collaborative workshop will teach you the fundamental science behind climate change and empower you to take action. The workshop is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. Climate Fresk is neutral and objective only dealing with facts that come from the most respected scientific sources, IPCC reports, which inform political and economic decision-making at the highest level around the world. Take a step back, understand the systems, causes and consequences of climate change.
It will also give you the opportunity to become a facilitator and spread the knowledge further.
Previous attendees have said: “This was great fun and I learnt a lot, including how people felt about the problems and the hopeful implementations we can all do.” – 3rd Year Environmental Sciences Student
Register here
Read more about what a Climate Fresk workshop involves on the Sustainability blog.
More about Climate Fresk.
If you can't make it on the day but are interested in getting involved with climate fresk then please email us.