Exeter Reaches Green Gown Finals With Projects Spanning Climate Action, Food, Reuse and Nature Recovery

Exeter Reaches Green Gown Finals With Projects Spanning Climate Action, Food, Reuse and Nature Recovery

(IN BRIEF) The University of Exeter has had five projects shortlisted for the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards, which recognise sustainability initiatives across higher and further education. The shortlisted projects cover climate action, sustainable food systems, reuse, nature recovery and student engagement. The nominated projects are Beyond Offsetting: A Science-led Climate Strategy, Building a Campus-wide Sustainable Food System, Gift It Reuse It, Lower Hoopern Valley: Nature Recovery at the Heart of the City, and The Belonging Game. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Leeds on 16 November 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) EXETER, 10-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Five projects from the University of Exeter have been shortlisted for the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards, which recognise outstanding sustainability work across higher and further education.

The awards celebrate leading sustainability initiatives from universities, colleges and other post-16 education institutions across the UK and Ireland.

Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards have become one of the most respected recognitions of sustainability practice in the further and higher education sector.

The University of Exeter has been named as a finalist across five categories this year, reflecting the breadth of sustainability activity taking place across the institution.

The shortlisted projects are Beyond Offsetting: A Science-led Climate Strategy, which is a finalist in the 2030 Climate Action category, and Building a Campus-wide Sustainable Food System, shortlisted in the Campus Health, Food and Drink category.

Also shortlisted are Gift It Reuse It, in the Creating Impact category, and Lower Hoopern Valley: Nature Recovery at the Heart of the City, in the Nature Positive category.

The fifth shortlisted project is The Belonging Game, which is a finalist in the Student Engagement category.

Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter, said she was delighted to see the projects shortlisted for awards that recognise the best of sustainable innovation in the sector.

She said the range of finalists reflects the university’s commitment to helping deliver a greener, healthier and fairer future for all.

Professor Roberts also congratulated everyone involved in the shortlisted projects.

The Green Gown Awards are delivered by EAUC in partnership with UKRI.

They are governed by a steering group made up of organisations from across post-16 education.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds on 16 November 2026.

Nikki Buckley, Head of Sustainability Engagement at the University of Exeter, said the university is proud to have reached the finalist stage across five categories in a year that saw a record number of entries.

She said the nominations recognise work across the university community focused on climate change, waste reduction, nature recovery, health and wellness.

Through the five shortlisted projects, the University of Exeter is demonstrating its continued commitment to sustainability across campus operations, student engagement, food systems, climate strategy and nature recovery.

Media Contact:

pressoffice@exeter.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Exeter