Another Gold for Green Impact

Caption

Jilly Mowbray, College Sustainability Officer, writes:

Keble College was awarded Gold status in the Green Impact Awards 2026, out of possible Bronze, Silver, Gold or Beyond Gold accreditations, matching the status achieved last year (and making the College eligible to pursue Beyond Gold next year).

Green Impact is an award-winning programme that supports organisations, including universities, NHS Trusts and others in the public sector on their sustainability journey. The programme provides a toolkit of effective actions staff and students can take to improve sustainability across colleges and the University.

Oxford University’s Green Impact Programme is specifically tailored to the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy, with headline targets of net zero carbon and nature positive by 2035. The ethos is about changing behaviours, making physical improvements and developing sustainable practices in and around our buildings and in College life in general. Areas assessed include energy, biodiversity, sustainable resource use, food, waste, and engagement.

Keble's Gold award recognised a range of sustainability initiatives delivered throughout the year, including a clothes swap/bank during Green Action Week, partnered with Oxfam, and working with Better Reuse to reduce end-of-year moving-out waste. 

Congratulations to JCR Environment & Ethics Officer Hannah Poultney (2024 Geography), and MCR Environmental Officer Anna Taipale (2024 DPhil Engineering Science), who led Keble's Green Impact team this year.

Hannah says: “I have loved helping Keble achieve the Gold Green Impact Award. It has really showed how much progress can be made towards sustainability when working as part of a team. The award encouraged a holistic approach to sustainability, involving emission reductions across several aspects of College life, whether this be with the grounds, food or accommodation. As Environment & Ethics Officer for the JCR, I contributed through running a clothes swap event, screening a nature documentary, and organising the JCR bikes. I loved submitting the evidence required for the award and learning about the many actions Keble is taking to be more sustainable.”

Anna adds: “I’m happy that Keble is actively working towards sustainability and that this is being recognised with the Gold award. Many sustainability initiatives, like the end-of-year reuse rooms, which recycle items back into the community, considerably benefit the student body, on top of reducing the College’s carbon footprint.”

Keble was one of seven colleges to achieve Gold accreditation in 2026. This year's award plaque was crafted by the University's joiners using reclaimed wood from former bookshelves in the archives beneath the Examination Schools, reflecting the University's commitment to sustainability and reuse.