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Colleges' National Green Week


The AoC Sustainability Conference 2026 will be take place on 17 and 18 March 2026 (two afternoon sessions) and while we will have a range of keynote speakers, we welcome submissions from colleges to share their innovative practice.

With the government clean energy mission and recent announcement of clean energy job and skills, we are keen to showcase the great work colleges are doing. In addition, we plan to host the Colleges National Green week commencing 20 April 2026.

Please do get involved and help us celebrate colleges' role in sustainability. We will send more details in the new year

Key messages

  • Colleges lead the way in sustainable practice and supporting students to embrace sustainability and prepare them for the future green economy.
  • Colleges are working hard to invest and find innovation solutions to reduce their emissions and become carbon neutral through modernising their campuses, reduce waste, embed sustainable procurement and green transport opportunities.
  • Colleges play a key role in providing the skills and qualifications for the future green workforce in renewable energy, green skills, retrofit digital technologies and are key partners in local and regional strategies working towards net zero.

How to get involved

  • Align your current sustainability activities to Colleges' National Green Week. This could include:
    • staff activities
    • student activities
    • stakeholder roundtables
    • fundraising or a local initiative to help the community
    • launching new facilities or new provision.
  • Collaborate on joint activities with local partners, agencies and employers.
  • Undertake activities across the whole college, a specific campus, or possibly work with other colleges in a sub region.
  • Shout about the great sustainability work your college does on social media using the #CNGW2025 hashtag. We will be providing more social media guidance and resources closer to the time.

What's on

We will be updating this webpage with exciting plans for Colleges' National Green Week 2026.

    AoC Sustainability and Green Skills Conference 2026

    Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 March 2026

    This two-day conference will build upon the success and feedback from last year’s event by increasing the number of keynote sessions from leading policy commentators, policy makers, government officials, and employers. We will hear more on the emerging role of a joined up DWP, DESNZ and Skills England in green skills; assess the aims of the Post 16 skills white paper that pledges an additional £1.2 billion per year in skills by 2028-29 and establish a strong focus on developing skills in priority areas linked to the Industrial Strategy and how this will support green skills, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. DfE will be launching its new sustainability strategy in spring of 2026, and we want to hear from officials how that will impact on colleges. We will of course provide additional focussed breakouts covering hot topics such qualifications and curriculum development, funding and investment in the college estate, and recent developments in reducing energy usage.

    Find out more

    Resources for engaging students in eco-friendly education

    Pre-recorded webinar

    As part of the JP Morgan funded “Creating a Greener London-Sustainable Skills for the Future” project, delivery practitioners from South Thames and London Southeast College Groups have shared their innovative methods on how they have created sustainable learning environments via a pre recorded webinar.

    The presentation offers insights and resources on how to seamlessly incorporate green themes into any curriculum programme and how by exploring the techniques used, can inspire green consciousness and improve students’ mindsets towards Net Zero 2050.

    View recording View presentation

    "EAUC are delighted to support the Colleges' National Green Week. Colleges are anchors within their communities and are critical to ensuring we have future fit skills and training to deliver net-zero both on campus, locally, regionally and nationally."

    — Fiona Goodwin, Deputy CEO, EAUC

    "National Colleges' Green Week is an excellent opportunity to highlight the outstanding sustainability initiatives across UK colleges. We’re pleased to support this important event and celebrate the impactful work colleges are doing in sustainability, climate change, and green skills development."

    — Cal Innes, Digital Sustainability Specialist, Jisc

    "At HI Group, we’re proud to support Colleges National Green Week and celebrate the leading role colleges play in the UK’s journey to carbon neutrality. By decarbonising their operations, fostering green skills, and strengthening local communities and economies, they are leading the way to a more sustainable tomorrow."

    - Russell Burton, Co-Founder and Director, HI Group

    Sustainability & Climate Action Hub