Welcome to your April newsletter
Posted on 23 April 2025
Spring, symbolic of new beginnings, can be ideal for a sustainably-focused routine reset. The arrival of this brighter, warmer season, when the plants and flowers start to bud and bloom, is an opportunity for goal setting that contributes to a more sustainable future. We hope you will find some inspiration in the newsletter.
Join the second-ever York City Nature Challenge, 25 - 28 April!
Spot an animal on your way to work or on the University campus? See an insect on a plant near your home? Take a few photos and upload them to iNaturalist to find out what it is and to contribute to observations of biodiversity all around you during the York City Nature Challenge from 25-28 April 2025.
During York CNC 2025, participating organisations will be holding events to connect you with nature. You can also make your own observations of animals, plants and fungi where you live, work or play during these days. See the CNC events page for details about planned events during this time.
Students, save energy before you leave campus
If you're leaving campus for the Easter break, complete our switch-off checklist (where possible), to help save energy and to compete to win a prize for your college, as part of the College Sustainability Challenge:
- Switch off lights
- Close windows
- Set radiator thermostats to frost (turn radiator dial to star setting*)
- Switch off monitors and laptops
- Unplug mobile phone chargers
- Switch off TV completely
- Switch off electrical items
- Switch off any heaters
- Check for other appliances that can be switched off
New code of practice for Sustainable Research launched
The University has launched a Code of Practice for Sustainable Research to help all UoY researchers integrate sustainability into their work and support our carbon net-zero goals. The Code provides a framework and practical guidance for researchers across all disciplines. Explore support tools and resources here.
New solar panels on campus
Our Estates Operations team are currently undertaking a large-scale solar panel installation project across multiple campus buildings. Over 1,000 solar panels (combined output of 513kWp) are being installed across three key buildings on Campus West (Harry Fairhurst Building, Hull/York Medical School (HYMS), and Church Lane Building).
The installations are part of a broader solar PV expansion that includes existing rooftop and ground-mounted arrays, such as those at the Institute of Safe Autonomy (ISA), the Nursery on campus east, and the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL). Once fully completed they will have the potential to create enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 200 domestic houses, when the sun is shining.
Student Opportunity: IEMA approved Green Impact Auditor Training!
SOS-UK and York University are offering an exciting opportunity, open to all students, where you can receive IEMA-approved training on sustainability auditing, and then put your newfound skills into practice by conducting Green Impact audits of university departments, all happening on campus on the 7th of May.
The training will support you to develop and practice transferable employability skills including communication, teamwork, decision-making, time management, and organisation. You’ll also develop a better understanding of sustainability in the workplace and what York University is doing to be more sustainable.
No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to try something new! After the day you will get a digital badge to demonstrate your experience. You can apply to participate by filling out this short form. The deadline to sign up is the 25 April.
Green Impact Toolkit and Project submissions info
For those of you participating in Green Impact, the submission deadline is the 25th of April, so don’t forget to ensure someone from your team has logged in to press submit on your toolkit before this date! You can find the submit button on the top right hand side of the toolkit page. After this date, you won’t be able to submit. We’re looking forward to seeing all you have achieved this year!
For lab based teams - look out for separate info about your toolkit submission details, coming soon.
Thanks to everyone who attended the ‘Getting Ready to Submit’ workshops in March. Recordings are available to watch - email greenimpact
General 058 - the new Dual Bin posters are now available, so drop an email to greenimpact
College Sustainability Challenge Leaderboard
The latest leaderboard for the College Sustainability Challenge has landed!
Topping the spring leaderboard is Wentworth followed by Derwent in second and Alcuin College in Third place. James, Halifax and Constantine Colleges are closing in though. There is still time for students living in these Colleges to make positive actions on energy savings and sustainability and help put their College at the top of the final leaderboard (released next month!)
Take the Green Route: Free Spring Nature Programme across York (18 March - 7 May 2025)
Join York Bike Belles for a full programme of spring nature activities throughout York. Events and activities include: Spring nature rides; Urban Wildlife Gardening; Cycling Without Age rides; and Nature walks from the Millennium Bridge. Everyone is welcome! To find out more and book an event, visit here.
Latest news: York Climate Commission appoints new Co-Chairs to support City's climate and nature ambitions
The York Climate Commission has appointed two new co-chairs, Jennifer Potter and Henrietta Stock, to lead collaborative efforts in tackling climate change and nature recovery across the City of York. The Commission, re-launched in 2024, brings together public, private, and civic sectors to drive impactful climate action. With their expertise and passion for sustainability, Jennifer and Henrietta are set to strengthen partnerships and accelerate progress on York’s journey to a greener future. Read the full story.
9 top tips for enjoying the outdoors this spring (and clear out some junk for a good cause!)
Spring is here, and we can all enjoy more daylight hours. Try these ideas from the British Heart Foundation to use the extra daylight to help you feel better in body and mind.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/
If you’re having a spring clear out, why not reduce clutter and raise vital funds for research at the same time. If you have good quality items that you don’t need any more (such as bags, clothes, books, pairs of shoes, toys), you can donate to the BHF using the big red banks across campus - see map for locations or other ways to donate are detailed on the BHF website.
Free SOS-UK webinars
Each month SOS-UK hosts a sustainability themed webinar which is free for staff and students at the university.
Wednesday 16th April 2025: Sustainability at home: how to engage your friends, family, and loved ones
Sometimes, it may feel as if we embark on our sustainability journeys alone, while eco-anxiety rises – particularly among young people. By involving our friends, family, and loved ones in our sustainability efforts, we can not only increase our impact and make actions enjoyable but help others to feel empowered. Join this webinar to learn how effective communication and active listening can foster a collaborative spirit in creating sustainable habits at home, and get tips for what you can do together. Sign up here.
Catch up on Sustainability Week online events
Watch the recording of the International Pathway College’s book club session ‘An Exploration of Women Living Deliciously’ by Florence Given in recognition of Women's History Month and the University's Sustainability Week. This year their Green Impact team is hosting various events as part of their project on ‘The Role of Knowledge in Advancing Sustainability’. Watch the recording here.
Sustainability events
Find out more about this month's sustainability events.
Links and further information
Don’t forget to follow UoY sustainability on social media.
You can also check out UoY Sustainability on our wordpress blog, or click the links below to find out more!
- UoY Sustainability pages
- Our Sustainability Plan 2021-2030
- Staff can join the Green Impact slack channel: #green-impact.
- Green Impact toolkit (registration code: 40238)
- Green Impact google site
- SOS-UK webinar series