Get involved in sustainability

"No one is too small to make a difference" – Greta Thunberg.

Students are at the heart of our sustainability work. Find out how you can get involved using the links below.

Change our University

To date, students have secured the following changes at ARU: 

Contact the Sustainability Team, at [email protected] if you have an idea for a way to make our campuses more sustainable.

Join a society

Visit the ARU Students' Union website to view the full range of societies on offer here, or discover:

Become a Sustainability Officer

Student-led societies at ARU offer the option to become a Sustainability Officer. Officers focus on:

Become a faculty sustainability ambassador

Run by the Cambridge Sustainability Society, the aim is to have two ambassadors per faculty. Training will be given to help you promote eco-friendly habits and raise awareness across campus. Further details to be found on the Society's web page.

Attend a Global Sustainability Institute seminar

These lunchtime talks explore issues as varied as food, the fashion industry, health and wellbeing, nature and nature's value. Visit the GSI events page to find out when they are taking place.

Pick up a copy of So What? magazine

Read about the latest trends and developments in sustainability at ARU.

Intern at the Global Sustainability Institute

Become part of an internationally recognised research institute and learn about sustainability. Find out what previous interns worked on and how you can get involved.

Get involved with green projects and activities

Interested in planting trees, helping with a conservation area, or creating an edible garden on campus or nearby?

Whether you want to get involved with these exciting activities or have ideas to connect students with nature, we want to hear from you. Contact your Students' Union officer for more details.

At ARU in Writtle, there's a variety of opportunities supported by our Students' Union. These include hedgehog-friendly campus activities, sustainable careers events, litter picking loyalty scheme, and craft activities involving recycling. Contact the Writtle Students' Union officer to find out more.

Get thrifty

The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a large contributor to environmental pollution. In Cambridge and Chelmsford, thrifting stalls offer an opportunity to reduce our impact, give clothes a new life and to also enjoy a bargain. Look out for details of upcoming events, which are advertised on campus.