Sustainability Events and Open Conversations

Sustainability and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are often framed in terms of compliance and treated as a ‘nice to have’ addition to business as usual. Yet both disciplines are deeply concerned with what it means to be a human in the world. Indeed, both may inform our approach to relationships throughout our lives – with our colleagues, students and communities as well as planet Earth.

Jane Grindey from Milton Keynes Community Energy led this session. Community energy is all about people joining forces, acting and using local resources to manage or generate clean, affordable energy that benefits everyone in the local community.

Clare Watters, Carbon Project Manager led this session on the power of retrofitting and energy efficiency for a net zero home. Interested in living in a cosier, affordable, lower carbon home, but not sure how to get there? Find out how to assess your home and work out realistic routes forward, including sequencing improvements and working within your budget, so that you can have the net zero home.

Dorian Holloway, Director of Estates led this Go Green session on the OU's waste management journey and shined a light on our OU waste stream statistics and guidance on how we can all help the OU to be greener.

This event recording offers practical ways to reduce your environmental impact while staying connected. Discover simple strategies like choosing low-carbon transport, planning efficient routes, and exploring virtual alternatives to unnecessary trips.
 

The 2025 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP-30 for short) taken place in Belém, Pará, Brazil from 10 to 21 November 2025. This global gathering at the heart of the Amazonian rainforest has unsurprisingly put climate finance for protecting forests high on the agenda.

The OU was once again a proud supporter of Net Zero Week in July, and this year hosted a webinar titled Community Engagement and Net Zero on 8 July.

In this insightful video, Marta Nowicka from SOS-UK and Teresa Cox, Senior Manager at PVCS, delve into the Open University's role as a Host Partner for the Responsible Futures programme. They highlight the significance of the Responsible Futures accreditation, recently awarded to the OU, which recognises the institution’s dedication to embedding sustainability and social responsibility across its curriculum and operations.

The discussion explores:

In this inspiring Go Green session, participants explored the importance of biodiversity and how small changes in our gardens and outdoor areas can make a big impact. The workshop offered practical tips for embracing nature-friendly practices, including how to support No Mow May thoughtfully and effectively.

In the latest Go Green session hosted by The Open University in Ireland, Kevin Donnelly, Information and Statistics Officer, explored practical ways to reduce our digital carbon footprint. From evaluating internet usage to rethinking how we stream video content, Kevin shared actionable tips to help us live more sustainably in the digital world.