Get involved

Our planet is threatened by a combination of environmental issues, including climate change, global biodiversity loss, and pollution. While these can seem overwhelming at times, there are actions we can take to support our planet.

At St Andrews we are committed to sustainability throughout our operations and are continuously working to improving our environmental impact. There are several ways you can get involved in the collective effort to fulfill the University’s environmental goals, as well as individually implement sustainable and ethical practices in your daily life.

There are a number of different opportunities for you to get involved in sustainability, both within the University campus and through regional and national organisations.

Support sustainability initiatives within the University

  • Keep an eye on these web pages and social media channels for paid internships and volunteering opportunities with the Environment team (environment@standrews.ac.uk).
  • Join the Transition St Andrews team of volunteers (transition@st-andrews.ac.uk).
  • The Fairtrade Steering Committee works to introduce more fairtrade products into University retail outlets (fairtrade@st-andrews.ac.uk).
  • Enactus St Andrews is one of the many projects working to encourage sustainability in the local area.
  • Join the Environment Subcommittee and help make the Union and associated societies more sustainable (eande@st-andrews.ac.uk).
  • Join the Microsoft Teams Sustainable Saints group.
  • Apply to join the Rector's Committee and work to advocate for a variety of student interests (rector@st-andrews.ac.uk).

Volunteer with external community groups

  • Support St Andrews Environmental Network, a local environmental charity, and get involved with projects such as Cosy Kingdom and St Andrews Beach Wheelchairs (info@standrewsenvironmental.org).
  • Take part in practical conservation activities with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (ask.us@fifecountryside.co.uk).
  • Join your local Scottish Wildlife Trust group and volunteer at wildlife conservation events.
  • Volunteer at Nature Scot, Tentsmuir Forest, the national nature reserve known for its diverse forest, Morton Lochs and fantastic dune systems.
  • Take part in 2050 Climate Group, the Young Leaders Development Programme for 18 to 35 year-olds, or volunteer to run the Scottish Government initiative.

Start your own project

If you have an idea for a project relating to the environment or sustainability and would like support or involvement, please reach out to the Environment team at environment@standrews.ac.uk.

Student representatives

Students can get involved by becoming representatives for their academic school or hall of residence.

School sustainability representatives are selected at the beginning of Martinmas semester. The representatives work with the Environment team, the Environmental Sustainability Board, and the Students’ Association Environmental Subcommittee to promote sustainability at their academic School.

Undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students can apply for the position, which runs for one academic year. Contact the Environment team at environment@st-andrews.ac.uk if you are interested in the role. 

Environmental hall representatives work with sustainability in our student halls of residence. They lead the halls by:

  • campaigning for reuse over landfill
  • supporting energy efficient behaviour
  • engaging sustainable choices through events and social media.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply for the position, which runs for one academic year. Contact your hall committee if you are interested in the role. 

COP26

COP26 is a global annual conference to tackle the climate crisis which, for 2021, was hosted by the United Nations in Glasgow. The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) was a crucial event for countries to come together and agree global and national targets to tackle the climate crisis. 

The University of St Andrews is a part of the UK-based Universities Network and ready to contribute to the annual conference. 

Take action

Other ways to get involved in sustainability at the University of St Andrews:

If you would like a copy of our Green Guide 2023-2024 with details of how you can get involved with and make a difference to our sustainability goals, email the Environment team on environment@st-andrews.ac.uk.