A Sustainable Union

The Union of Students is fully committed to sustainable development as defined and underpinned by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We try to ensure that we make sustainable decisions in our everyday activity, both as an organisation and through our students, by reducing our impact on the environment and holding ourselves accountable in being ethical in all that we do.

We demonstrate our commitment to embedding social responsibility and sustainability across the formal and informal curriculum through the pursuit of three key accreditation programmes:

1. Responsible Futures
2. Green Impact
3. Fairtrade

Did you know that approximately 80% of students in the UK want their university to be doing more on sustainability and around 60% want to learn more about sustainability!

Each year, starting from 2019/20, we take part in the NUS Sustainability Skills Survey to help the Union and the University better understand your sustainability priorities, attitudes, and interests. We then use this data to help make the changes that you want to see at Derby.

Here are some of the highlights from the 2020/21 survey:

• 57% of students would take a £3000 lower salary in an organisation with a good environmental and social record
• 91% of students believe sustainability is something universities should actively promote and incorporate
• 74% of students agree that their university/college and 66% agree that their students’ union takes action to limit the impact it has on the environment and society
• Over half of students (66%) want to learn more about sustainable development, in particular, to learn more through the formal curriculum and through informal education

We will keep these statistics updated and if you’re interested in more findings of students’ attitudes surrounding sustainability, you can find previous results that we have been involved in below.

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Email sustainability@derbyunion.co.uk

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How to get involved

Students Groups

Our students are passionate about championing various strands of sustainability, and you can get involved through the below, or setting up your own group

Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus Group is a student-led group working towards raising awareness of hedgehogs and improving their environment on campus. So far the group have worked with staff to make the campus a place where hedgehogs can thrive. For example, planting wildflower patches, establishing more #NoMow zones, building hedgehog houses, carrying out hedgehog surveys and organising informative webinars.

Email Hayley Marshall on H.Marshall2@derby.ac.uk to get involved.

#DerbyGoes Green Project

#DerbyGoesGreen is a long-term project, led by students. The aim is to increase student engagement with the environment and sustainability agenda. As well as leading on your own projects, this is an opportunity to engage with the University's sustainability plans, including:

• Roadmap to zero carbon
• Biodiversity action plan
• Sustainable travel plan

Complete an expression of interest form if you wish to get involved.

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