Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Fri, 2017-06-23 10:14
Every year, the University of Cambridge's Green Impact programme sees many students getting involved and working hard to promote sustainability within their Colleges and departments. Some students stand out in this work and become leaders in their College, improving environmental performance and inspiring others to do the same.
The Student Leadership Award, which was presented at Wednesday’s Green Challenge Awards ceremony, recognises the important work these students do and their contribution to the University. This year there were three finalists for the award, each completing their own unique projects.
The finalists
Jac Davis – Clare College
As a member of the Green Impact team at Clare College, Jac has been bringing the wonderful wildlife in Clare College grounds to the attention of the wider world. Jac was part of the team who completed the Clare Biodiversity Survey and used the information collected to set up recordings, which can be accessed online, of the various habitats on site. The project has shown and will hopefully continue to demonstrate how we can monitor and encourage biodiversity in an urban area.
Not content with working on just one project, Jac has also been involved in Clare’s sustainability forum for graduates and in organising Green Formal Halls for the MCR.
Michaela Chan – Trinity Hall
The attendees of Trinity Hall’s June events may not notice all of the measures taken to reduce the environmental impact of these fabulous events but they are there. Measures such as a reduction in the availability of red meat on event menus, using recycled goods, and donating surplus food to charity have all made a difference.
As Trinity Hall’s first Event Sustainability Officer, Michaela worked to ensure that sustainability was considered at every turn and she has taken what she has learned and is handing on that information to the organisers of next year’s June events and May Balls.
The winner
Lily Maxwell (pictured above receiving her award from Professor Ian Leslie) – Pembroke College
Lily’s work to promote sustainability in Pembroke College will continue to have an impact on the College years from now, as she not only raised awareness but she also helped the College to rethink their policies, and along with her counterparts has developed greater collaboration between students and College staff. Thanks to the work of the newly formed Green Impact team and the Environmental Committee, all students who start in Pembroke next year will receive environmental training, while students will also have an opportunity to grow their own food in the College allotments.
Throughout the year Lily also ran the College’s first green week, which was a great success and raised money for the environmental charity Cool Earth. Increased use of social media has allowed Pembroke students to continue having discussions on how to make the College as sustainable as possible.
All of the submissions for this award were entered, along with all other Green Impact participating institutions' entries, into the national NUS Green Impact Awards. We are very happy to announce that Lily’s work was recognised on this national stage, meaning she takes the title of the 2017 NUS Student Leadership Award. The award was presented at the NUS Sustainability Roundtable in Leicester on 20 June.
If you would like to get involved in the sustainability efforts of your department or College, you can join your local Green Impact team or if there isn’t one already, you can set one up. Another option is to become a Green Officer who work with their fellow students and College staff to spearhead sustainability initiatives. If you would like to find out more about getting involved in sustainability issues as a student, check out our student involvement page or get in touch with the Environment & Energy section.