Green glory as University wins national sustainability awards
Exeter's Green Gown representatives: Meg Haslam, Dr Ewan Woodley, Nicola Corrigan, Sabra Gardner, Emily Pink and Sarah Snow
An inspirational geography scholar, a student ambassador driving positive change, and the University’s commitment to honest and transparent reporting have all been lauded at a national awards night celebrating sustainability in higher education.
At the 2025 UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards, Exeter won two honours, was highly commended for a third, and was shortlisted in a fourth category for a landmark circular economy scheme that reuses student belongings.
Dr Ewan Woodley, Associate Professor of Geography, was named Sustainability Champion – Staff, for the way he has transformed ‘education about climate change’ into ‘education for positive societal transformation’. Dr Woodley leads numerous modules that reflect on key sustainability issues and has pioneered low-carbon fieldwork opportunities, redefining how it can be undertaken in higher education.
The second Green Gown Award went to the University in the Reporting with Influence category, for its annual Sustainability Report. While the University has documented its sustainability performance for many years, it adopted a new approach in 2022, one based upon openness and accountability, not just to the University Council, but to stakeholders in the community as well.
Emily Pink, Co-President of the student society Be the Change Exeter, was highly commended in the Sustainability Champion – Student category. Her commendation reflected the slow fashion campaign she led, Stitch by Stitch, which focused on repairing, upcycling and learning news skills.
Ewan, Emily and members of the Sustainability Team were all present to receive their awards at the gala event at the Library of Birmingham.
“I’m delighted that Exeter has been recognised in this year’s Green Gown Awards!” says Jo Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability. “Winning ‘Reporting with Influence’ for our annual sustainability report, alongside Dr Ewan Woodley being named ‘Staff Champion’ and Emily Pink highly commended as ‘Student Champion’, is fantastic recognition of the amazing work happening right across our community.
Achieving our sustainability commitments takes all of us — and these awards highlight what we can do together. A huge thank you to everyone who’s contributed to this success.”
The fourth entry shortlisted on the night was Gift It Reuse It in the Creating Impact category. This flagship scheme – which won an Exeter Sustainability Award earlier this year – enables students leaving halls of residence to donate unwanted household items to new students, reducing waste and saving money for incoming students.
The Green Gown Awards are delivered by EAUC and are widely regarded as the flagship programme recognising sustainability in the university sector.
