University and Community links
We are proud to be part of a network of local, national and international organisations in our community, as well as our University partners
Interested in working with us?
We always welcome the opportunity to partner with local organisations and share knowledge and best practice where we can. If you would like to know more about working with us please contact us at sustainability@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Oxfordshire has over 9,000 low carbon jobs and double the UK average of low carbon economy businesses across the county. This is reflected in the wide number of associated interest groups, community action groups and volunteering opportunities.
Some of these are listed below - why not check them out? They also provide great ways to get involved and to broaden your knowledge of green issues. And all here right on our doorstep!
The Environmental Sustainability team works with the Hub to support and encourage students to take part in volunteering projects with an environmental focus. There are so many ways you can get involved! So find out more about how you can help. Visit the Oxford Hub website.
A project to demonstrate the potential for individuals and communities to become active participants in the energy systems of the future. Visit the project page.
Encourages you to pledge a change to work towards a better food system with the Good Food Oxford charter. Visit Good Food Oxford.
A not-for-profit social enterprise that provides workshops, courses, cycle training, women’s and transgender people only mechanics sessions, and information for people who cycle. Visit Broken Spoke.
Get involved in various events and projects throughout the year and take action on issues including waste, transport, food, energy and biodiversity. Visit CAG.
An informal partnership of the county and district councils of Oxfordshire, providing information on Oxfordshire Council’s recycling schemes. Visit Recycle for Oxfordshire.
A food co-operative aiming to create a better food system for Oxford. Visit Cultivate Oxford.
Linked with organisations like OxGrow with the aim of making Oxford more edible and rewarding volunteers with the food they helped grow. Visit Incredible Edible Oxford.
A‘think and do’ tank focused on connecting people to climate change and climate change to people. Visit Climate Outreach Information Network.
A social enterprise that helps to combat throw-away culture by providing people with skills to repair broken and slow devices. Visit Share Oxford.
A voluntary organisation for nature conservation that helps local people in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire protect natural spaces and wildlife. Visit Wild Oxford.
Local conservation charity that brings together organisations and community groups to protect Oxfordshire’s natural environment and encourage sustainability. Visit Wild Oxfordshire.
A network of members intended to foster collaboration to improve Oxford’s green spaces and blue corridors. It is chaired by Oxford City Council, and the partnership supports the city’s Green Space Strategy. Visit Oxford Green and Blue Space Network (OGBSN)
Responsible for getting innovation into clinical practice for improved patient safety, and subsequently generating economic growth through University, NHS, and industry collaborations. Visit The Oxford Academic Health Science Network (AHSN)
Seeks to tackle economic, environmental, and social issues by facilitating collaborations between local agencies and partners to create a thriving city. Visit Oxford Strategic Partnership (OSP)
A network of members intended to foster collaboration to improve Oxford’s green spaces and blue corridors. It is chaired by Oxford City Council, and the partnership supports the city’s Green Space Strategy. Visit Oxford Green and Blue Space Network (OGBSN)
Responsible for getting innovation into clinical practice for improved patient safety, and subsequently generating economic growth through University, NHS, and industry collaborations. Visit The Oxford Academic Health Science Network (AHSN)
We tap into regional, national and international networks to share best practice and promote sustainability
The University is a member of and reports to - or meets regularly with - international, national, regional and local organisations to support the promotion of sustainability and to share best practice.
A not-for-profit organisation that promotes high standards in the planning, management, operation and development of Higher Education estates and facilities. Visit Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE)
The EAUC promotes sustainability within further and higher education in the UK and Ireland. It is a member association empowering the post-16 education sector to make sustainability standard business practice. Any staff or student member can sign up to become registered with this group and access resources. Visit Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC)
The IARU is a network of 11 international research universities from 9 countries committed to educating future world leaders. One of its key initiatives is sustainable solutions to climate change. Visit the International Association of Research Universities (IARU).
A voluntary membership organisation that promotes the rights of students and develops and champions strong students’ unions. Visit the National Union of Students (NUS).
A student-led education charity focusing on sustainability by supporting engagement, learning and action for environmental and social justice. Visit SOS-UK.
An initiative to help museums with accreditation and museums working towards accreditation support themselves effectively. Visit Sustainable Exhibitions for Museums (SEFM).
An initiative to help museums with accreditation and museums working towards accreditation support themselves effectively. Visit Sustainable Exhibitions for Museums (SEFM).
A membership-based buying organisation for universities and colleges that develops and manages framework agreements. Visit The Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC).
What's your college doing?
The work of the Environmental Sustainability team covers University departments and administrative buildings. We also work with colleges through our engagement programmes and students are increasingly raising awareness of environmental issues. Find out more here about colleges that are keen advocates of sustainability including
- Green Templeton College
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Linacre College
- The Queen's College
- Wolfson College
- Somerville
To find out how your college supports sustainability, from sourcing food to saving energy and responsible recycling, please contact your JCR, MCR or Student Environment Representative – then share what you're up to with us!
Find out about student clubs and societies (and more!)
The Environmental Sustainability team works closely with the Student Union. The Student Union works towards Green Impact and runs a number of campaigns and support networks including the Environment and Ethics Reps and related campaigns.
The Oxford Student Union also sits on the Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) and provides input to all strategies and policies. In addition, the SU provides an update to SSG every term.
The E&E Campaign is the largest environmentally focused group in the University. Its goals are to make the University a greener, more ethical place and to support individuals in their efforts.
You could become an E&E committee member. To get involved or find out more about positions available, please email the E&E Secretary.
The Environmental Sustainability team is happy to support all societies. We believe that every society can engage its members in sustainability initiatives. And every society can benefit from building environmental sustainability into all areas including events, travel and handouts.
Whichever society you belong to, do consider the environmental impacts of your group as well. Small changes really can make a big difference!
Look out in particular for:
- Oxford Climate Society
- Nature Conservation Society
- Oxford Sustainability
- Oxford Waste Society Facebook page.
- Climate Justice Society
Here you can find the full list of student societies.
We look to support career development through many of the services provided through the Careers Service. This could be anything from hosting internships in our office to supporting Green Impact teams across the University, micro-internships and more.
Colleges and private halls are independent. There is a Sustainability Guild set up by interested college staff which encourages individuals to make effective, long term moves towards sustainability.
The forum provides an opportunity for individual colleges to share ideas and experiences. It encourages members to contribute their own ideas, as well as being inspired by others.
To contact the Guild please speak with the Bursar of Lady Margaret Hall.
The Environmental Sustainability team attends an annual meeting to review environmental sustainability initiatives with the University & College Union (UCU) (which represents academic and academic-related staff).
We also meet with the Joint Committee for University Staff (JCUSS) (which deals with matters relating to the terms and conditions of employment of support staff). These meetings usually take place in November.
You can request the minutes by contacting the UCU or the JCUSS.
The University runs a number of relevant courses at different levels:
The Environmental Sustainability team does not run or oversee course admissions to study at the University. For more information please visit the University’s admission pages.
The team also provides training for staff and students. For upcoming programmes and activities please visit Link up and Learn.
If you are working on a project, like a dissertation, as part of your study or role at the University we may be able to help. We could add real value to your work by sharing our knowledge and data.
Are you interested in partnering with us? If yes, please contact us at sustainability@admin.ox.ac.uk
The University runs a number of innovation and entrepreneurship programmes and support.
If you have a sustainable focused idea and want to understand how your new start-up or idea could be made more sustainable, please contact us at sustainability@admin.ox.ac.uk
To find out about how the University governs environmental sustainability policies please visit Governance.
The University is working with the RSPB on the Oxford Swift Project. We are also involved in other Citizen Science projects such as Oxford Plan Bee.
Take a look too at the Wytham Citizen Science Bee, Butterfly and Wildflower Walks.
The University also has other programmes including Penguin Watch. For an overview please visit our Biodiversity page.
Keep in touch
You can keep up to date via the team’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.
If you want to be added to either the staff or student mailing lists to hear about volunteering and training opportunities as they arise, please email sustainability@admin.ox.ac.uk.
The Environmental Sustainability team is happy to attend student and staff welcome events. Just let us know where and when!
Never miss an opportunity again!
Want to hear about volunteering and training opportunities? We can add you to our mailing list.
