As well as the College’s Carbon Committee, the JCR and MCR have Environment reps and all members of the College community are encouraged to consider ways to minimise their carbon footprints. We need everyone to engage with our sustainable initiatives in order to make a difference.
Student Sustainability Handbook
The Provost’s Lecture 2025: ’10 years since Paris – Advancing climate action in a turbulent world’
On 4 February 2025, Professor Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, came to Queen’s to give the Provost’s Lecture, reflecting on “10 years since Paris – Advancing climate action in a turbulent world”.
Ten years ago, the Paris Agreement was adopted, confounding cynics and critics of multilateral climate action. Today, nationalism, disinformation, and fraying trust between and within countries leave some questioning whether achieving its objectives is still possible. In her talk, Laurence – one of the architects of the Paris Agreement – looked at the lessons from Paris and how they can inform and inspire efforts to accelerate progress in the critical years ahead.
Room thermometers
The College has put thermometers in every College room to encourage occupants to put on extra layers before turning up their heating.
Energy-saving tips
Posters with energy saving tips have been placed in strategic locations.
Switch up your Lunch
The College participates in Good Food Oxfordshire’s annual Switch up your Lunch initiative which encourages companies, schools, universities and community groups in Oxfordshire to pledge to eat a vegetarian or vegan lunch on one day in June. In 2023 a total of 22,000 people across 30 organisations took part.
Earthsongs
Earthsongs was an event that took place in Trinity Term 2024. The event combined gardening and poetry to reimagine material experience and relation. With poet JC Niala and Head Gardener Gwyneth Hanson.
Find out more about the research behind this event in an interview with Old Member Bill Kroeger on our blog.
Awareness
In Hilary Term 2023, we shared a mini-campaign on Instagram to inform our students about the different areas where the College is working to be more sustainable.
Green Impact
Green Impact is a nationwide sustainability and social responsibility engagement and reward scheme. Teams of staff from any department, building or college across the University of Oxford can take part. In 2018, the College was delighted to be awarded Gold in its first year of participating in Green Impact. We also won the highly commended best newcomer award.
Any student can get involved with Green Impact and work on a number of different areas to improve the College’s green credentials: biodiversity and community, catering and events, embedding and communication, energy, grounds, procurement, travel, waste and recycling, and water. Speak to the JCR Environment Rep for information on how to take part.
