Change makers of the future launch Go Green Week

From 10–14 February 2020, the University of Leicester will be hosting Go Green Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and encourage positive change among students and staff. It is part of a national campaign led by People and Planet, running the UK’s largest week of student climate action.

One of the highlights of the week will be a Climate Curiosity panel discussion with Friends of the Earth, which will explore how University students can make a difference. Other student led events across campus include a charity swimathon in aid of the charity Just One Ocean, which has been organised by the University’s Women’s Rugby Team, film screenings and a clothes and book swap event.

This year’s theme, 'Leics Be Climate Positive', looks at what students and staff University of Leicester can do to be more sustainable. As part of this commitment, the University have teamed up with De Montfort University to run an interactive, fun and informative carbon literacy workshop on Thursday 13 February, to learn more about how individuals can make a difference to the growing climate crisis. Participating students will then be able to deliver training to local schoolchildren to encourage them to become the change makers of the future.

Dr Sandra Lee, Social Impact Lead at the University of Leicester said: “We are delighted to support a great week of student-led events - the students are so passionate about this topic and keen to explore what they can do to improve their futures. There is a real opportunity to drive change within the University and beyond – as part of our climate change strategy, we want to take a leading role in finding a solution.”

The University of Leicester is committed to reducing its energy use and carbon emissions, and was accredited by Carbon Saver to achieve a triple gold standard in carbon, waste and water reductions. As of January 2020 the University has directly divested from fossil fuels in the management of our endowed funds. In addition, In addition, Dr Sandra Lee recently appeared on BBC East Midlands Today to raise awareness of how the public can take small steps to reduce their own carbon footprint, create a low carbon home and work out their own carbon footprint.