How to include student voices in green campus initiatives

An environmentally conscious educational environment fosters a culture of sustainability among students, faculty and staff, instilling values and practices that extend beyond the classroom. By integrating green practices into campus operations, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable transportation, we can prepare students to implement similar strategies in their future roles post-study.

Increasing environmental consciousness also enhances institutional reputation and attracts students and faculty who value sustainability. A commitment to social responsibility can also drive funding and support from donors and organisations that value and work towards green initiatives.

Including student voices in institutional sustainability initiatives is essential for creating an environmentally conscious educational environment, enhancing the effectiveness of these initiatives and fostering a sense of ownership, pride and responsibility.

Enhancing a green culture on campus

When students participate in environmental events, they not only learn about ecological issues but also develop a desire to contribute positively to a social cause. These activities help to instil a sense of community and shared purpose among students.

Driving institutional change

By organising events and campaigns, students can raise awareness about pressing environmental issues and push for more sustainable practices on campus. When students take the lead on these issues, they can see their actions having a direct influence on administrative policies.

Top tips for making students ambassadors of green initiatives

1. Create leadership opportunities

Universities can encourage student leadership in these areas by creating positions, clubs or committees focused on sustainability. This can involve appointing student representatives to sustainability councils or allowing students to lead specific environmental projects. Empowering students in leadership roles is a great way to enhance their involvement in and make their voices heard on green initiatives. At Manipal Institute of Communication, the media and communication college of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), the environment and sustainability club conducts environmentally-focused events entirely conceptualised, planned and managed by student members of the club. One such event, the Water Bodies Day, involved street plays, performances and art installations.

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2. Integrate sustainability into academic programmes

Incorporate sustainability topics into the curriculums of various academic disciplines and ensure extra-curricular activities engage a broad range of students across the university. Such an interdisciplinary approach allows students from different fields to contribute unique insights into the environmental issues that matter to the university. For instance, environmental science is one of the core subjects that students of first-year BA media and communication students at the Manipal Institute of Communication study. As part of this course, students work on producing a weekly photo essay that highlights important local and global environmental issues. 

3. Create collaborative opportunities

Universities can facilitate collaboration between different departments and schools, students, faculty and administration on sustainability projects. Establishing forums where members can share ideas encourages innovation and ensures the consideration of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. Recently, the Manipal Institute of Communication collaborated with MAHE’s Centre for Disaster Management, the Centre for Wilderness Medicine, the Department of Emergency Medicine and others to host a short film competition on the theme “natural disaster risk reduction”. The winning film, Hands of Hope, was a collaborative project by a media and communications student and an intern at the Department of Emergency Medicine.

4. Celebrate achievements

Institutions must recognise and celebrate student contributions to sustainability efforts. Doing so motivates other students to get involved, and consistently fosters and inculcates a desire to lead and contribute to green initiatives. For instance, when the student council at Manipal Institute of Communication decided to observe a week-long cleanliness awareness drive on campus as part of India’s nationwide Swachtha Hi Sahi (Clean is Right) campaign, they ran an awareness contest for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The winning class was awarded certificates and got to take home an upcyled trophy.

Including student voices in college green campus initiatives is not just beneficial; it is essential for fostering a culture of sustainability within educational institutions. By organising environment-related events and empowering students to become ambassadors for green initiatives, higher education institutions can create an engaged community that prioritises ecological responsibility. 

Sowparnika Pavan Kumar Attavar is an assistant professor (senior scale)  and coordinator (Internships) at Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.