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As we mark the 20th anniversary of Green Impact, this year’s National Awards feel especially significant. Over two decades, the programme has grown from a small initiative into a nationwide movement empowering staff, students and organisations to take meaningful climate action. The 2025 National Awards show case the very best of that spirit: creativity, leadership and community-driven change.
This year bought an exceptional range of nominations from universities, hospitals, research institutes, charities and cultural organisations across the UK. With over 80 local winners put forward, the scale and ambition of sustainability work across the Green Impact community has never been more stronger.
Across our five award categories – Community Action, Environmental Improvement, Innovation for Engagement, Student Leadership and Sustainability Hero – nominees demonstrated bold ideas, practical solutions and inspiring commitment to tackling environmental and social challenges.
After careful consideration, we’re delighted to announce the 2025 winners and runners-up of the Green Impact National Awards 2025.
Winner: University of Birmingham, School of Chemical Engineering
The Many Lives of PET #1, created by Birmingham theatre company Stan’s Café and commissioned by plastics experts at the University of Birmingham, is a light-hearted yet thought-provoking production exploring our relationship with plastics. Touring Birmingham in Spring 2025, it’s a brilliant example of creative storytelling sparking community conversations about sustainability.
Runner Up: English Heritage, Walmer Castle and Gardens
Jodi Waterfield has collaborated with the Dover and Sandwich Sustainability Network and the local NHS Social Prescribing Team to deliver a weekly wellbeing programme for participants under 50 experiencing unemployment and mental health challenges, offering tours, wellbeing activities and a welcoming space. The programme received excellent feedback and will continue this year.
Winner: Babraham Research Campus, Xap Therapeutics team
This team pioneered a glove recycling scheme that has transformed sustainable practice across their campus. They installed a dedicated pallet outside their building, designed a workable system for staff participation, and developed a safe and efficient process for collecting and decontaminating used gloves. The initiative saved thousands of pounds, engaging staff and inspiring 5 other companies to join, with more preparing to join.
Runner Up: Imperial College London, Environmental Research Group
Through a two-year project funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the team demonstrated that reusing plastic consumables in environmental monitoring can significantly cut environmental impact. Their findings, now accepted for publication, could influence sustainable laboratory practice across the sector.
Winner: Cardiff University, Learning and Teaching Academy team
This team created an online sustainability escape room, featuring drag-and-drop challenges, quizzes and themed tasks across four virtual locations. Covering a range of themes, and incorporating campus-specific data, this innovative tool is a standout example of how game-based learning can make sustainability both memorable and fun.
Runner Up: Isle of Wight Council, Nettlecombe Farm
By welcoming 40 school groups for hands-on learning experiences about sustainable farming and biodiversity, the team has shown the power of place-based education. Their partnership with St George’s SEN School offers inclusive, inspiring outdoor learning.
Winner: Agnes Szwarczynska, Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet, Imperial College London
Agnes redesigned master’s student welcome boxes. Working with a team of PhD researchers, she sourced sustainable alternatives to everyday products, created guidance on sustainable living, and added seeds and herbs to help students connect with nature.
More than 80 students received the new boxes, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. The project is funded for future years, and will continue o embed sustainability into students’ first experiences on campus.
Runner Up: Sam Waller & Dearbhla McIlroy – Planetary Health Report Card, BSMS team, University of Sussex
Sam and Dearbhla led the Planetary Health Report Card for Brighton Sussex Medical School, coordinating a team of medical students through a rigorous assessment process, all while balancing demanding medical studies. Dearbhla has contributed regular sustainability articles to the student newsletter, while Sam now serves as President of the Green Medicine Society.
Winner: Krishnaa Mahbubani & Rawiya Al Hosni, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge
Krishnaa and Rawiya have transformed sustainability culture within the Department of Surgery, launching a Green Impact Committee, leading campaigns, redesigning lab waste systems and even persuaded the Head of Department to centre an entire away day around sustainability. Their blend of practical action and cultural change is truly inspiring.
Runner Up: Katy Sawyer, SNES, Newcastle University
Katy lives and breathes sustainability. From hedgehog-themed bake to campus-wide food-waste initiatives like SpudFest, she brings creativity and enthusiasm to every project. She encourages colleagues to adopt sustainable habits and volunteers extensively in her personal life. Katy is the definition of an everyday sustainability hero.
As we celebrate 20 years of Green Impact, this year’s nominees and winners remind us what makes the programme thrive: passionate people driving real change. Their achievements reflect what’s possible today and what we can accomplish together in the decades ahead. A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part, supported a team or championed sustainability over the past 20 years. Another thank you to everyone who has taken part over the last 20 years! Here’s to the next chapter of Green Impact.