Loughborough University
The Climate Cup – Competing for more than just a trophy
Winner, Student engagement
Finalist, International
About
The Climate Cup is an unrivalled student engagement programme at Loughborough University where student sports clubs compete to be the most sustainable. It’s about using the power of competition to combat climate change and restore nature. It’s the exact opposite of your traditional engagement programme and the results + feedback speak for themselves. Across the year, students took on challenges covering climate, nature and communications.
Staff and expert partners supported through a blend of in-person sessions, cutting-edge tech and viral social content, as well as sustainability career sessions. The Climate Cup inspired over 20 teams, representing thousands of students, to take incredibly impactful and diverse environmental action. For example, students: i) assessed the carbon footprints of their teams ii) raised money for environmental charities iii) cleaned up waterways iii) ran events out in nature iv) reduced their waste v) adjusted their diets vi) travelled more sustainably + MUCH MORE Students also shared about the great things they did, both in person and through social media, with tens of thousands of students, to spread the positive message. At its heart The Climate Cup is about creative action, wellbeing and supporting students into sustainability careers. Its motto is ‘saving the planet shouldn’t be boring’. It was developed as a partnership between Loughborough University and the social enterprise Carbon Jacked in order to satisfy student demand for genuinely engaging sustainability action.
Top 3 learnings
- Integrate Sustainability into Activities or Hobbies Students are Already Engaged in
- Help Students Understand the Impact Climate Change will have on the things they love.
- Promote Hands-On Environmental Activities where students can see the impact of their actions.
What is means to win
Winning a Green Gown Award would be a meaningful recognition of the hard work and innovative approach of our staff and students to tackling the climate crisis. Winning an award for this project would highlight the value of collaboration, creativity, and commitment to sustainability across our campus. It would affirm that our approach—led by people, driven by purpose—is making a real difference and encourage us to keep pushing forward.
Sustainable Development Goals
| 2026 | |
| Student engagement | |
| Winner, UK and Ireland Finalist, International |
