The Environmental and Sustainability Community - Words from Charlotte, Lily & Verity
"The University of Derby Environmental and Sustainability Community is an environmental, and sustainability-focused community at the University of Derby. We provide an opportunity and space for likeminded people to interact with all things environmental while encouraging better sustainable practices. We aim to collectively make a difference, focusing on helping the University of Derby campuses, but we also help other communities where possible. Ways that we try to do this include:
- Encouraging individuals to explore green spaces and connect with nature more frequently, like with nature walks, positively impacting their health both mentally and physically (SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing)
- Helping to wider individuals’ knowledge of all things environmental- and sustainability-related through educating and volunteering social events, enriching their learning (SDG 4 – Quality Education)
- Encouraging a safe space for people to talk about any environmental-related issues they may be facing while helping local communities to become more green (SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- Highlighting key environmental dates, such as recycling week, to encourage individuals to better their awareness and waste management skills (SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production)
- Helping to make a positive impact on the climate issues, as individuals, a community, and the wider communities, such as encouraging the reduction of our carbon footprints (SDG 13 – Climate Action)
- Contributing to creating greener spaces, such as working alongside the Derby Initiative for Green to help rewild campus while encouraging a wider range of wildlife and plant species, helping the diversity on campus (SDG 15 – Life on Land)"
Charlotte Bowles (President), Lily Ward (Secretary), Verity Kavanagh (Treasurer), from The Environmental and Sustainability Community, 2025
The Environmental and Sustainability Community supports the UN SDGs by promoting wellbeing through nature engagement (SDG 3), fostering environmental education (SDG 4), and encouraging sustainable communities (SDG 11). It raises awareness of responsible consumption (SDG 12), inspires climate action (SDG 13), and enhances campus biodiversity through rewilding initiatives (SDG 15).
If you’d like to get involved in The Environmental and Sustainability Community, please access the Environmental // Union of Student page here.