The Green Impact National Awards celebrate the remarkable efforts of institutions and organisations across the UK in advancing sustainability and social responsibility. Each year, these awards highlight inspiring action that extend beyond the typical Bronze, Silver and Gold team achievements, showcasing innovative and impactful contributions to a greener future.

This year, we received an incredible range of nominations, with over 70 local winners and nominees from universities, hospitals, research institutes and charities put forward for national recognition. Across five award categories – Community Action, Environmental Improvement, Innovation for Engagement, Student Leadership and Sustainability Hero – our nominees have demonstrated outstanding dedication and creativity in tackling environmental and social challenges.

With so many exceptional entries, selecting the winners was no easy task. But after careful consideration, we are delighted to reveal the recipients of the Green Impact National Awards 2024…

Community Action Award

Winner: Dover Castle, English Heritage

English Heritage has achieved an extraordinary conservation milestone with their Choughs Project, in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Discovery Park. Thanks to their efforts, Dover Castle became the site of the first wild-born, fledged Chough in Kent for at least two centuries—a groundbreaking success for wildlife restoration in the region.

The judges were particularly impressed by the project's collaborative approach, its educational impact on visitors, and the dedication of volunteers who tracked evidence of the birds returning to the site. This initiative is a shining example of how conservation, community engagement, and heritage can come together to create lasting environmental change. Find out more on reintroducing Choughs to Kent.

Runner Up: Imperial College, Grantham Climate Art Prize

As Runner Up, Imperial College for their Grantham Climate Art prize which bought young people together to design a mural with them of ‘A Greener, Cleaner Future World’, which were then painted by professional artists. The judges valued how the project harnesses the power of art to draw attention to the climate crisis while inspiring communities to take action to reduce emissions and improve their environment.

Environmental Improvement Award

Winner: Ali Young, QMHA Team, Royal Veterinary College

Ali Young, winner of the Environmental Improvement Award, has made a remarkable impact by leading a transformative sustainability project across multiple hospitals, including QMH, the Equine Hospital, Camden BSAH, and BSU. Through their efforts, these facilities have switched to a more sustainable waste supplier, diverting an incredible 45,000 kilograms of plastic from landfills. Their initiative ensures that all waste in orange or tiger bags is cold shredded and repurposed into concrete blocks and roads, while incinerated waste now generates power and contributes to eco-friendly projects. The judges were particularly impressed by the scale of Ali’s achievement, the tangible environmental benefits, and the lasting impact her work will have on waste management practices in the sector.

Runner Up: Hannah Davies and Catherine Finnegan, University of Surrey

Catherine Finnegan and Hannah Davies from the Veterinary School have made a lasting impact by developing a pioneering sustainability module that equips future veterinarians for a world increasingly affected by the climate crisis. Launched this year, the module trains students to conduct sustainability audits on local veterinary practices, with 120 practices already engaged and two participating in the students’ final assessments. The judges were particularly impressed by the module’s forward-thinking approach, its potential for long-term impact on the veterinary sector, and its role in embedding sustainability into veterinary education.

Innovation for Engagement

Winner: Clare College, University of Oxford

Clare College and the Museum of Zoology have pioneered an inspiring outreach programme to engage young people with biodiversity loss and environmental change. As part of this initiative, sixth formers from across the UK spent aweek in Cambridge co-curating Tangled Planet—an exhibition exploring how human actions shape the planet’s ecosystems.

The exhibition, which ran until December 2023, featured a diverse collection of specimens, from butterflies and beetles to bird skulls and coral, demonstrating the intricate web of life. It challenged visitors to consider humanity’s role in both the destruction and protection of biodiversity. The judges were particularly impressed by the programme’s innovative, hands-on approach to climate change communication, empowering students to take an active role in conservation storytelling. Learn more about Tangled Planet.

Runner Up: Kingston University, The Enterprise Education Team

Runner Up for the Innovation for Engagement Award, the Enterprise Education Team at Kingston University for their sustainability-focused innovation. The team’s annual Bright Ideas competition nurtures student innovation, offering mentorship and a platform to present ideas to industry experts, including a sustainability panel. Meanwhile, the HackCentre, a sustainability focused hackathon, brings students together to creatively tackle real-life sustainability challenges.

Student Leadership

Winner: Alison Provost, Imperial College London

Alison Provost has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving sustainability initiatives within her department. A Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD student and dedicated member of the Green Impact team, Ali has led impactful changes in procurement and waste management, most notably her successful campaign to install a bean-to-cup coffee machine on campus. This project, which took years of persistence and coordination with senior management, significantly reduces waste compared to the single-use coffee sachets and milk pods previously used.

Beyond this achievement, Ali’s advocacy led to the department’s switch to Fair Trade coffee, aligning procurement with ethical and sustainable standards. She has also played a key role in expanding the Green Impact team, actively recruiting new members and strengthening the department’s sustainability culture.

The judges were particularly impressed by Ali’s dedication, strategic problem-solving, and ability to inspire lasting change. Her work continues to make a meaningful impact, both within her department and across the wider university community.

Runner Up: Anisha Chopra, University of Worcester

Runner Up for the Student Leadership Award, Anisha has demonstrated outstanding passion and leadership in sustainability, particularly through her work on the sustainability podcast series. Her deep research into podcast topics, combined with her ability to ask insightful, thought-provoking questions, has helped create engaging and informative content that educates and inspires.

The judges were especially impressed by Anisha’s willingness to challenge perspectives, always supporting her arguments with evidence and well-researched statistics. Her ability to foster meaningful discussions, build strong relationships within the team, and guide conversations with a light yet impactful approach has made her an invaluable leader in the Green Impact team.

Environmental Hero Award

Winner: Owaise Sharif, Greenacre Orthodontics, Public Health Wales

Winner of the Environmental Hero Award, Owaise Sharif has been a driving force behind sustainability at Greenacre Orthodontics, leading transformative initiatives that have significantly reduced the practice’s environmental impact. From integrating sustainability into staff meetings to developing green policies such as car-sharing programs, his leadership ensures that environmental responsibility remains a core priority.

Among his many achievements, solar and battery power, installed EV chargers for staff and patients, transitioned to a more sustainable energy provider, and introduced a paperless records system, all contributing to a lower carbon footprint. His investment in an intra-oral scanner has also reduced plastic and gypsum waste, while the installation of solar panels has already saved approximately 2,000kg of CO₂. Additionally, his creation of a bird garden has enhanced biodiversity around the practice.

The judges were particularly impressed by Owaise’s proactive leadership and holistic approach to sustainability, demonstrating how environmental impact can be meaningfully reduced in a healthcare setting. His work has not only transformed Greenacre Orthodontics but also set a strong example for sustainable practices in primary care.

Runner Up: Julie Gilson, Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham

Julie stands out for her dynamic work in both education and community engagement on sustainability and climate change. She inspires her students to actively address environmental challenges through her teaching. Beyond the classroom, Julie founded the University of Birmingham Eco Café—a relaxed, student-led forum where the community learns about the university’s environmental initiatives, shares experiences of eco-anxiety, and discusses actionable solutions to climate issues. The judges were especially impressed by her innovative approach to turning awareness into action and providing amuch-needed space for open dialogue and support in today’s climate landscape.

This year’s Green Impact National Award winners and runners-up have demonstrated outstanding commitment, innovation, and leadership in sustainability. From pioneering educational programmes and groundbreaking conservation efforts to driving institutional change and inspiring grassroots action, their contributions are making a real difference in shaping a more sustainable future.

The judges were incredibly impressed by the creativity, dedication, and wide-reaching impact of each contribution. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that sustainability is a collective effort—one driven by individuals and teams who are willing to challenge the status quo and lead by example.

Congratulations to all our winners, runners-up and nominees! If you’re already taking part in Green Impact, don’t forget to nominate yourself, a team member or student for the 2025 Special Awards. If you are interested in taking part in Green Impact, contact Senior Project Manager Holly Jenkins for more information.

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