Supporting student groups to operate as sustainably as possible is an important part of our work on sustainability. This page includes information and resources to help you improve sustainability within your student group, and develop your understanding of and engagement with sustainability issues.
Opt in to our exclusive student sustainability newsletter to ensure you have everything you need to make a real impact at York. Subscribe for:
Valuable free resources
Exciting training and volunteering opportunities
Behind-the-scenes updates on the SU's sustainability performance
Updates on student sustainability activity
Want this newsletter in your inbox monthly? Log into the York SU website, find 'settings' in your student dashboard, and opt in!
The Student Sustainability Guide is a great first port of call if you are looking to improve sustainability in your student group or in your day-to-day activities. It's choc full of tips and further resources.
The York SU Individual Sustainability Training module introduces you to key concepts and guide you through the process of being to create your own action plan for sustainability.
The University of York regularly run free carbon literacy training and Climate Fresk sessions for students and staff at the University.
Upcoming training opportunities are available via their Opportunities Hub.
The Students Leading on Sustainability drive includes webinars and written guides on the topics you’ve told us you would find most helpful.
The resources aim to ensure you have the support you need to champion and drive progress on sustainability.
The York SU Sustainable Development Grant offers funding for projects and initiatives that address any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our new badge scheme allows student groups to gain recognition for the work they are doing to be more sustainable, and provides you with a structured way to make sustainable changes and be celebrated for it! Visit the Sustainability Conscious Badge page to find out more.
The Environment and Social Responsibility Forum is made up of Sustainability Champions from committees across the Union. The Forum meets quarterly and is responsible for representing the interests of Union members in the development of the University and Union towards ethical and environmentally sound practices. The Forum reports directly to SUmmit, assists on the coordination of campaigns and members of the Forum will ensure that their own committees are considering sustainability and social responsibility within their decisions.
Find out more by contacting the Union Development Officer (Chair of the ESR Forum).
York SU declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is now committed to strategically addressing sustainability across it's work. The 2024 to 2026 Sustainability Action Plan maps out the current strategic approach. The Union will be regularly reporting on it's progress and is committed to transparency on it's progress and failures.
All of our impact reports will be published on the York SU Sustainability webpage.
Disclaimer: This hub is intended as a starting point to help make sure you have the resources you need to be as sustainable as possible in your student groups. But, it is important to emphasise that students are not responsible for fixing climate change all on their own. You can read more about what the University of York is doing to mitigate climate change on their Sustainability webpage, and you can read more about what we as a Union are doing on our Sustainability webpage.
Feel like something's missing from the hub? Let us know, we want this hub to continue to grow to meet the needs of students.
If you have any questions or queries about the content in this hub, please contact:
Eliza Taswell-Fryer, York SU's Sustainability Coordinator at e.taswellfryer@yorksu.org