Championing sustainability during Green Action Week

Green Templeton College marked its third year of participation in the University of Oxford’s Green Action Week, held from Monday 10 March to Friday 14 March, with a packed programme of events promoting sustainability and environmental awareness across the college community.

Firmly established in the college’s events and sustainability calendar, Green Action Week is an opportunity to highlight both long-term initiatives and new ideas supporting GTC’s ultimate goal of achieving net-zero carbon.

One of the week’s key contributions came from the college’s catering team, which provided a range of locally sourced and Fairtrade products throughout the week. Notably, no red meat was served during lunch service, reinforcing the college’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting healthy, ethical food choices.

The GTC Lectures, the College’s flagship academic series, followed a sustainability theme under the banner of sustainable education. The opening lecture, titled ‘Fairness and Flourishing’, addressed the intersection of education, climate change, inequality, and biodiversity. Following the talk, guests were invited to a low-carbon formal dinner, where they could select their meals based on their associated carbon footprint—an innovative and impactful experience.

In collaboration with Green Action Week, the popular Student Supper event centred on Fairtrade and marked the launch of the new Student Environmental Guide. GTC chefs partnered with student Giorgia, a DPhil candidate researching Fairtrade, to produce a Fairtrade banoffee pie, highlighting ethically sourced ingredients. The new guide, written by Katrina Newman, GCR Environmental Representative, offers practical tips and insights for both current and incoming students interested in sustainable living.

The College bar also played a part, serving up a signature Green Action Week cocktail featuring locally sourced gin and apple juice, along with a wide range of Fairtrade beverages.

A new highlight this year was the GCR’s Repair Café, which offered students the chance to repair bikes, sew clothing, and fix household items—promoting a culture of reuse and waste reduction. The week concluded with the traditional Sunday brunch, reimagined with a vegan twist to reflect the College’s ongoing environmental values.

Green Action Week once again demonstrated the power of community-led sustainability efforts, reinforcing Green Templeton College’s position at the forefront of environmental innovation and education within the University.