Sustainable People
How we engage and support our staff, students, and wider community to deliver sustainable transformation in their work and lives
Staff Training in Sustainability and Carbon Reduction
The Sustainability Team have provided UEL’s HR team with information to be presented to all new staff during the mandatory induction period. This includes information like how to recycle on campus, points of sustainability interest, energy saving tips and how to get involved with sustainability-related events and initiatives. We are currently working to update this information as the new staff induction process has evolved.
The Sustainability Team has also in the past been involved in Staff Development week, where all academic and support staff are encouraged to attend various lectures to expand their knowledge of University activities outside their own teams and departments. The Sustainability Team developed and delivered a well-received set of presentations on “What Exactly is Net Zero?” which broke down the concept of how exactly an organisation goes about achieving net zero, and what implications this could have for different teams and departments at UEL.
Sustainability Events
The Sustainability Team holds events throughout the year, detailed through our social media and Sustainability Newsletter. One particularly important student-focused event each year is UEL’s Welcome Week, where new students have the opportunity to meet UEL staff and see what kind of extracurricular activities are available to them. The Sustainability Team always has a presence at this event in order to connect with our new students and let them know how they can get involved on campus. We have used this event to run sustainability quizzes, gather student signatures for petitions and ask students what they would like to see UEL doing to be more sustainable.
Sustainable Cities Festival
Sustainable Cities Festival is UEL’s annual flagship three-day sustainability focussed that takes place in the first week of March at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability. The festival includes talks, hands-on workshops, networking, and action-driven discussions with researchers, businesses, community organisations, and government leaders on how innovative solutions, new approaches and collaboration can help solve the pressing challenges facing urban environments today. Sustainable Cities Festival 2026 was the third edition of this annual event.
Student Sustainability Ambassadors
Student Sustainability Ambassadors assist the Sustainability Team during events, getting the experience of helping to run events as well as learning about sustainability in the process. Most recently, our Student Sustainability Ambassadors helped the Team run a successful Repair Cafe event in our Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, where members of the UEL and local community could bring items in for specialty repair instead of throwing them in the skip and participate in a clothing swap.
Staff Sustainability Network
Sustainability is a core part of staff induction at UEL. All new staff receive an introduction to the university's Net Zero Carbon commitments and waste-reduction targets.
New colleagues are encouraged to join the Sustainability Champions programme and play an active role in supporting UEL's environmental goals from their first day.
The Sustainability Team works closely with schools and departments across the university to provide tailored one-to-one guidance on reducing environmental impact and embedding sustainable practices.
The team also delivers presentations, guest lectures and seminars for staff and students, helping raise awareness of UEL's Net Zero Carbon commitments and the actions individuals can take to support them.
Green skills and careers
The Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability is UEL's hub for sustainability, enterprise, innovation and civic collaboration.
The centre supports inclusive growth by creating pathways into green skills, employment, enterprise and research. Working with industry and community partners, it delivers a year-round programme that connects students, academics, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Opportunities include:
- Skills development programmes
- Workshops and talks
- Hackathons and innovation challenges
- Specialist clinics
- Exhibitions and networking events
Participants benefit from hands-on learning, access to specialist facilities and opportunities to build professional networks.
Careers and employability
UEL's Careers Team works with sustainable businesses and community organisations to create opportunities for students and graduates.
These partners regularly take part in university job fairs, volunteering fairs and open days, helping students explore careers that support a more sustainable future.
Computer Science and Digital Technologies Maker Club
The Computer Science and Digital Technologies (CDT) Maker Club is a student- and community-led space based at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability.
Open to staff, students and local residents, the club provides opportunities to explore, design and create using 3D printers and laser-cutting technology.
The Maker Club encourages collaboration, creativity and practical problem-solving while helping participants develop valuable technical and innovation skills.
Environmental Sustainability Committee
UEL has relaunched its Environmental Sustainability Committee to strengthen collaboration across the university and support the delivery of its Net Zero Carbon by 2030 ambition.
The committee brings together expertise from across UEL to help turn sustainability strategy into practical action. Members work collaboratively to identify opportunities, share good practice and support environmental improvements across the university.
Communications and social media
The Sustainability Team keeps our UEL community informed through our Sustainability Team and UEL Community Garden Instagram accounts. We also put out a monthly Sustainability Newsletter and engage staff and students through sustainability-related surveys.
Community Engagement
The University as a whole regularly engages with our local community, and the Sustainability Team is no exception. We have enjoyed regular participation in our UEL Community Garden from community volunteers, as well as partnered with Newham Council on events like our Repair Cafe.
A highlight of community engagement for our team has been the collaboration with Newham Council to bring our UEL Rubbish Game to several of the local libraries. Our award-winning game was a huge hit with the local community, especially the children, who had great fun learning about what they can and can’t recycle at home.
UEL Living Lab
Our UEL Living Lab project is an exciting collaboration with Siemens and part of our Net Zero 2030 initiative.
Sustainability Champions Programme for Staff and Students
The University of East London (UEL) is taking part in the 2026 Green Impact programme. Delivered in partnership with SOS-UK, the programme brings staff and students together to take practical action and help make UEL a more sustainable place to work, study and thrive.
As part of Green Impact, we have launched our Sustainability Champions programme. This campus-wide initiative encourages environmentally responsible behaviours, supports collaborative action and helps embed sustainability across the university.
How the programme works
Green Impact combines practical action, learning opportunities and recognition.
The toolkit
Participants can access a bespoke online toolkit containing around 150 sustainability actions. Individuals and teams can choose the actions that best fit their work, study or daily routines.
Track your progress
Throughout the academic year, Sustainability Champions complete actions, monitor their progress and upload evidence through the online portal.
Awards and recognition
Participants earn points for completed actions and can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold awards. At the end of the year, they receive a digital certificate recognising their achievements.
Support and training
The programme helps staff and students make positive changes in their workplace, study environment and accommodation while contributing to a culture of sustainability across UEL.
The Sustainability Team provides:
- Training and support
- One-to-one guidance
- Workshops and events
- Practical resources to help participants lead positive change
Get involved
Join the Sustainability Champions programme and help create a more sustainable University of East London.