Sustainability
Green Templeton recognises that the actions and choices of our community have a huge impact on the college’s environmental footprint, and we are committed to embedding sustainable thinking throughout our operations. Our Climate Action Plan is designed to enable us to engage and adapt our collective behaviours to ensure equality and equity, which are at the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Green Templeton knows how important this issue is to our students, staff, and our communities, and has aligned with the university targets to achieving:
- Net zero carbon for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035
- Net zero carbon for scope 3 by 2035
- Net gain for Biodiversity by 2035 (20%)
The college is proud to have achieved a Green Impact Beyond Gold Award in 2025, our third to date, and one of only a few colleges to achieve this standard. It was received in recognition of how Green Templeton has maintained and improved on exciting sustainable initiatives, as well as running additional sustainable projects.
Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning program designed to support environmentally and socially sustainable practice within organisations. The ethos is about changing behaviours and making physical improvements to our sustainable practices in and around our buildings and college life in general.
How you can make a difference
Save energy
- Some self-contained accommodation sites have split the energy bills out of the rent giving control over energy usage to the residents
- Keep windows closed when the heating is on
- Switch off electrical items when you leave
- Turn lights off when not in use
- Report maintenance problems immediately such as dripping taps, radiators not working
- Take short showers
- Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth
- Wash clothes at 30°C
Further information on the college’s Energy Initiatives
Reduce and recycle waste
- Reduce single use plastic. Buy one of our GTC reusable cups at the lodge
- Recycle as much as possible. Details of what can be recycled in the green bins is on our intranet
- Compost your food waste in the caddies provided
- Repair and reuse what you can. Try one of the local repair cafes
Further information on the college’s Waste and Recycling
Reduce your carbon footprint
Choose to travel less and/or select a sustainable method of transport. The Oxford Travel Options website can help you plan travel around Oxford and find maps and further useful information to plan your journeys
Opt for a plant-based meal. Take advantage of our vegan and veggie meals and meat free Mondays. About sustainability in college catering and events
Buy local rather than online. The college works hard to select the right suppliers and products, you can find out more about our suppliers
Buy second hand. Read more in the environmental guide written by the GCR Environmental rep
Watch out for (and take part in):
Sustainable networks
- Join our Sustainability Working Group to help embed a sustainable agenda within the college
- Oxford Students Sustainability Network is a scheme offering action and engagement opportunities, support for students interested in taking their own initiative, training and networking
- Sign up to Oxford University sustainable newsletters
More information on sustainable initiatives in college can be found on our sustainability webpages
