Ten ways to be a planet friendly student
Gioia Caminada, International Recruitment Officer, gives her top tips on how to be a greener, more planet friendly student.
1. Choose a planet friendly university
Select a university that proactively defends our planet. City is the most sustainable university in London and among the top five most sustainable universities in the UK, according to the People and Planet University League.
From our annual London Student Sustainability Conference to our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, City has a variety of programmes that empower students to be sustainability champions.
2. Choose a course that empowers you to protect the planet
Use UCAS to find sustainability focused courses. If your ideal course does not directly focus on sustainability, think about ways you can incorporate it.
Study journalism and report on climate change problems and solutions. In engineering, you could join Engineers Without Borders and support sustainable projects in developing countries. As a law student, you could explore how to protect migrants’ rights.
City’s Business School (formerly Cass), will soon offer a Business with Social Purpose BSc (Hons). This will be the only course in the world to offer a module on the impact of climate change on the economy and the only course in London to be a Champion of the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Management Education.
3. Green up your commute
Cycling and walking are great ways to get around the city — not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you’ll save money and get fit at the same time.
City has bike parking for up to 100 bikes on campus and hosts regular free bike maintenance sessions. Plan your cycle journey in London on CycleStreets.
4. Live plastic free
Across the country, there are many shops that sell plastic free food. When outside, you can use reusable or biodegradable containers for your drinks and food.
If you cook your own food, City offers public microwaves in their canteens.
5. Eat ethically
Reduce your consumption of meat. Choose ethical restaurants. Try growing your own vegetables — on our walled vegetable garden.
Moreover, the City Food Co-Op sells sustainably sourced dried fruit and nuts and runs a veg-bag scheme for staff and students.
6. Shop ethically
Buy clothes from ethical labels or second hand clothes in one of the UK’s many charity shops. London has some famous ones (The best charity shops in London).
Lend and rent your clothes. The app By Rotation, founded by Business School alumna Eshita Kabra-Davies, lets you do just that.
7. Live with other people
City has plenty of great quality shared accommodation for students. City’s prices are subsidised, which means that tenants pay less than they would with a private landlord for the same type of accommodation.
Find out more about our accommodation.
8. Found your own planet friendly start-up
Most UK universities offer start-up programmes and funding to their students, which is a great way to meet people and kickstart a business.
City offers plenty of start-up initiatives for their students. Social entrepreneurs at City are also invited to take part in annual events such as The Good Entrepreneur Festival.
From sustainable fashion, to vegan food and planet friendly skincare, our alumni have created some amazing planet saving companies — you can see some of them here.
9. Volunteer for the planet while studying
City’s Sustainability Leaders programme focuses on helping our planet. Students can help running the City Food Co-op, deliver leftover or unwanted food to food banks and develop their own sustainability projects and campaigns.
10. Spend time in nature
40% of London (35,000 acres) is made up of parks and green areas. Here are the best parks and green spaces in London.
At City, you can also take part in beekeeping on our roof top, help support our walled garden and even pet animals before exam time.
We hope you feel inspired to green up your student life. If you have any questions about City, University of London please contact us.
If you would like to join our Sustainability Leaders Programme, please email our Sustainability team.
