Sustainability Challenge
Join us for this year’s Sustainability Challenge, which gives you a chance to explore innovative ideas to drive sustainability, develop sustainability solutions for our campuses, and build essential employability skills.
Throughout February 2026, you’ll develop and pitch your ideas while gaining insights from sustainability experts.
Be part of the solution! The Sustainability Challenge is good for the environment, good for your future, and good for you.
Read our blog with insider tips and information
Your next steps
Applications have now closed.
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What does the challenge involve?
The Sustainability Challenge invites you to collaborate in small teams with like-minded students to develop innovative solutions that reduce waste, boost efficiency, and introduce sustainable practices across our campuses.
Last year, nearly 100 students signed up for the challenge and their ideas ranged from composting and promoting vegan choices, to sustainable clothing opportunities and utilising technology to generate energy.
The Sustainability Challenge will give you the opportunity to:
- tackle real-world sustainability issues that are impacting our campuses
- develop and strengthen essential skills in problem-solving, teamwork, pitching, and public speaking
- interact with graduate employers
- gain valuable hands-on experience that will make your CV stand out
“The sustainability challenge was a great opportunity to develop key employment skills, like pitching and teamwork. Getting to do this alongside developing sustainable ideas for the university, is an incredibly fulfilling experience, that I would recommend to anybody” – Benjamin Waring, Winning Team, Sustainability Challenge 2024
How will the Sustainability Challenge be delivered?
The Sustainability Challenge will take place over four Wednesday afternoons on 4, 11, 18 and 25 February 2026 between 1pm and 3pm (until 3.30pm for the final session). You must be able to commit to all four dates.
- Session one: Wednesday 4 February: D37 - Portland Building – The first session will introduce sustainability efforts at Nottingham, with insights from the Sustainability and Careers team. Additionally, a guest employer will present on idea generation, offering advice on how to brainstorm innovative sustainability concepts.
- Session two: Wednesday 11 February: D37 - Portland Building – In this session, you’ll build on the ideas you developed last week. An employer partner will share valuable insights on sustainability in business and guide you on how to craft and deliver effective sustainability pitches. Afterwards, you’ll be paired with fellow students working on similar concepts to collaborate, refine your recommendations, and create a compelling, persuasive pitch.
- Session three: Wednesday 18 February: E07 - Monica Partridge - This session is dedicated to refining and finalising your sustainability ideas. Teams will work together to develop their concepts further, with the support of key stakeholders.
- Session four: Wednesday 25 February: D37 - Portland Building – In the final session, teams will present their sustainability solutions to a panel of experts, gaining valuable feedback and networking with sustainability professionals. We’ll also share how to confidently showcase this experience in your applications.
What will I get from participating in the challenge?
By participating in our Sustainability Challenge, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in sustainability to real-world challenges. This is a unique chance to:
- gain practical work experience by working on sustainability projects that have the potential to impact the university campus.
- collaborate with like-minded individuals who are equally passionate about sustainability.
- receive guidance and feedback from industry experts and professionals in the field of sustainability.
- expand your professional network through connections with employers and sustainability advocates.
Read our Career insights story about the Sustainability challenge
Previous year's winners:
Previous winners of the Sustainability Challenge proposed an impactful idea, focused on introducing sustainable-themed days in catered halls.
Their initiatives aimed to maintain popular meal options while focusing on reducing the carbon impact of meals served.
Their key components included: featuring an ingredient of the day to highlight sustainability, offering recipe cards to encourage long-term sustainable eating habits, posting informative posters and sharing content on Instagram to raise awareness, and introducing an inter-halls challenge to engage students in reducing their carbon footprints. The campaign promoted long-term lifestyle changes that extend beyond the halls and into everyday life.
My favourite part of the challenge was the chance to work with other like-minded students. I really developed my confidence when preparing to pitch. I think that this challenge was a great opportunity, and I really recommend it!
Whether you’re passionate about energy efficiency, food sustainability, or waste reduction, we’re excited to see what innovative solutions you’ll create for your campuses!
Do I need to have an idea to apply?
There is no requirement to have an idea, we just need enthusiasm and a demonstrable commitment to sustainability and to attend the four sessions.
Do I have to undertake work outside the four sessions?
There is no obligation to work on your idea outside the organised sessions but you may want to use your spare time to help shape your idea and pitch.
Do I have to undertake work outside the four sessions?
There is no obligation to work on your idea outside the organised sessions but you may want to use your spare time to help shape your idea and pitch
The Sustainability Challenge is a collaboration between the Careers and Employability Service, the Sustainability Team and the Students’ Union.