My name is Anuj Baral, I am an elected student officer at Greenwich Students’ Union. We exist to empower students to become their best. I am leading sustainability at Greenwich Students’ Union this academic year. As we all know, COP27 is taking place this week, and I'd want to write a piece about how our university and students' union are working towards a more sustainable life.
My name is Anuj Baral, I am an elected student officer at Greenwich Students’ Union. We exist to empower students to become their best. I am leading sustainability at Greenwich Students’ Union this academic year. As we all know, COP27 is taking place this week, and I'd want to write a piece about how our university and students' union are working towards a more sustainable life.
What is COP27 and why is it important to University of Greenwich students?
The COP27 (Conference of the Parties) is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's 27th top decision-making body, which will bring nations together to discuss how to tackle climate change and its impact on our society. Providing support to nations struggling with loss and damage brought on by climate change as well as nations' commitment to limit global warming to less than 1.5–2 degrees Celsius are among the topics that will be covered in the discussion.
COP27 is important to Greenwich students because the outcomes will show how seriously nations around the world are taking the climate issue and what the future may be like.
What University of Greenwich is doing to be sustainable?
As a university, we are currently in 23rd place and are a 1st Award Class in the People & Planet’s University League 2021, and we have maintained our 'First Class Award ever since. This is the only comprehensive and unbiased ranking of UK institutions based on environmental and ethical performance. People & Planet is the largest student campaigning network in the United Kingdom.
The University recognises its responsibility for ensuring sustainability in teaching, research, and operations, which is reflected in the new corporate strategy, Strategy 2030.
GSU PLAN 2026 (BECOME YOUR BEST)
As Greenwich Students' Union, we have a strategic plan for 2026 and are committed to the objectives of take action to protect our planet together. You have clarified that GSU will act to protect our planet and address the climate problem. We are dedicated to learning, improving our policies, and campaigning alongside you and future generations of students to sustain our planet.
Green week (14th Nov to 17th Nov)
Green Week starts next week at Greenwich, the University and GSU will be running several activities in partnership, such as the DR Bike programme, where students can fix their bicycles for free and litter picks on every campus, where students can win rewards for looking after the environment.
There will also be a Green Fair on each of our campuses so that students and staff may learn about what the University and Students' Union are doing to become more sustainable. As Greenwich Students' Union's Officer Sustainability Lead, I will be providing free flower and vegetable seeds for students, as well as some eco-tips on how to be sustainable at university. In addition, across the week, I will host a meat-free café on each campus to encourage students and staff to explore meat alternatives as part of their diet.
Look out for sign up opportunities as part of my active campaign for sustainability, including weekly "give it go" sessions to get engaged in growing crops as well as plantings more trees and having a great time in our edible garden at Avery Hill, with the encouragement of “being sustainable" and having the opportunity to gain great experiences!
Please do complete the form here if you want to hear more about Greenwich Students' Union Sustainability Activities and Opportunities on how YOU can get involved.
What are my tips to Greenwich students wanting to be more sustainable?
- Reducing unnecessary waste is my best advice for living a more sustainable lifestyle.
- To prevent items from being made only to end up in landfills, consider making reusable alternatives.
This may be used in many areas of your life, so consider where you can adjust by reading blogs and visiting zero-waste stores.
Here at Greenwich Students' Union, being sustainable is of upmost importance and we want to give students the opportunity to get involved in making the University and Students' Union more sustainable!
Visit our website to learn all about Green Week - greenwichsu.co.uk/greenweek