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.

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.

University sustainability activities and initiatives

A bee with a bright orange load of pollen arrives at the hive entrance Beekeeping Group
 For students and staff looks after our beehives, supporting the honeybee as a pollinator.

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

Fairtrade stamp printed on linen sack Fairtrade University
 Follow the University of Plymouth's progress toward Fairtrade accreditation

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

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

Let's save energy wording and footprint icon Reducing Your Footprint
 Campaigns and initiatives running across campus focusing on energy reduction.

Community garden Staff Gardening Group
 For staff to connect with other gardeners and support the Physic Garden

Exterior of UPSU - Students' Union Student opportunities
 UPSU provides many opportunities for students to get involved

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

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 six layers you can switch between: Sustainable Campus, Water Fountains, Cycle Facilities, Specialist Recycling, Biodiversity 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
Campus sustainability map

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 Students' 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 Students' Union sabbatical officers and the student voice team. 
  • UPSU hosts regular sustainability forums for students to feedback on the Students' Union and University sustainability.
  • You can also email the sustainability team any questions, feedback, or suggestions you might have at sustainability@plymouth.ac.uk

Women's Network taking part in a Climate Fresk during January 2024. Women's Network taking place in a Climate Fresk during January 2024

Students and staff sowing wildflowers at our North Campus in November 2023. Students and staff sowing wildflowers at our North Campus in November 2023

Staff undertaking a cycle ride as part of the Bicycle User Group in July 2023. Staff undertaking a cycle ride as part of the Bicycle User Group in July 2023

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

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

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

External sustainability opportunities

Volunteer with external organisations

Discover more

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

Dartmoor expedition

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

Sustainability education

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.