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World Car Free Day

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Monday 22nd September is World Car Free Day and Newcastle University is taking a city-wide approach with local institutions including Newcastle City Council, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Nexus.

We are asking those who can, to take the Newcastle Car Free Day pledge and commute to campus using a car free mode of transport such as cycling, walking or wheeling, metro or bus. 

We know trying a new mode of transport to commute can be daunting, so we have asked colleagues what advice they would give to people trying their preferred modes for the first time. You can read the testimonials below – make notes of the helpful tips they provide!

Public Transport

Charlotte Robson commutes via the metro

  1. Why is this your preferred mode of transport? I commute via the metro as it is a quick and sustainable mode of transport. I like to use the commuting time to find some calm (at the start and/ or the end of your day), I often do this by reading a book or listening to a podcast.
  2. Do you have any advice for someone considering using this mode of transport to commute? The Nexus Pop app is a great way to keep track of what’s happening on the metro network, you can check train times so you can minimise your wait on the platform. Always pack an umbrella in case it is raining when you get off the train (the weather in Newcastle can be a tad unpredictable). If you become a regular user of public transport during the week and on the weekends, look at the University public transport page as an annual travel ticket for one of the local providers may work out cheaper for you.

Cycling

Amy Johnson commutes via cycling on a hybrid bike

  1. Why is this your preferred mode of transport? Cycling is much cheaper than the bus (£5 per day) and quicker! I have a car but driving into the city centre during rush hour and having to pay for parking doesn’t appeal to me. It’s also nice to get some fresh air on the way to and from work. 
  2. Do you have any advice for someone considering using this mode of transport to commute? Investigate your options first, see if your workplace has a cycle to work scheme. Can you secure your bike securely at home and at work? Does your work have lockers? It can be a bit of money to begin with – for example getting a bike, helmet, lock, high vis jacket etc but once you’ve got it all its much cheaper than other modes of transport. Cycling can be intimidating to start with for example getting used to traffic etc, but once you get the hang of it and become more confident its much easier. The more of us that can cycle to work, the better – it increases safety in numbers, will make drivers more aware of cyclists and lead to shifts in behaviour (think about cycling somewhere like Amsterdam!)

Jane Robinson uses a bike to commute to campus

  1. Why is this your preferred mode of transport? I cycle along the river from Wylam – it’s a beautiful, safe (and flat!) route – it gives me time to think and prepare for the day and unwind on the way home and I fit in my exercise as part of the day. 
  2. Do you have any advice for someone considering using this mode of transport to commute? Make the most of Cycle to Work scheme. Wear bright colours and always use your lights. Most importantly, enjoy the ride!

Carys Watts commutes via cycling

  1. What form of sustainable transport do you use to commute? I cycle to work from Gateshead to Newcastle, half of my route is off-road, the rest is shared use or cycle lanes. Previously to help with timings for the school-run, I drove partway with my bike in the car, then cycled the rest.
  2. Why is this your preferred mode of transport? My commute time is reliable and I feel alert, relaxed and healthy, plus there is no daily cost.
  3. Do you have any advice for someone considering using this mode of transport to commute? Starting out cycling I would invest in a helmet, a bright (neon) waterproof jacket and decent bike lights for visibility. Get a strong bike lock and ask friends/co-workers their advice on their recommended routes, bike parking and servicing.

Walking

Hannah Owens walks to work

  1. Why is this your preferred mode of transport? I enjoy being out in the fresh air and getting some exercise through my commute. It’s roughly a 35-minute walk so it’s a good amount of time to prepare for the day ahead on the way in and unwind on the way home. It’s also great for enjoying nature and green spaces- I love that in the summer months I get to experience fields of cows on my city centre commute!
  2. Do you have any advice for someone considering using this mode of transport to commute? Layered clothing and comfortable/sturdy footwear, and it’s a great way to enjoy podcasts.

If you would like some additional information, you can find more advice and helpful information on the Sustainable Campus Travel pages.

Green Impact 25/26: all you need to know 

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Green Impact is back! Our toolkit of new and improved actions is out, we’ve updated our information pages (where you can find key dates and resources) and we’re hosting a launch webinar on Thursday the 18th of September.   

This webinar will have all you need to get started, whether you’re new, returning, or just investigating whether to get involved. Either way, we’d be delighted to have you join us.  

Curious, but not sure? We’d recommend you join the webinar to make up your mind. But also, why not hear the reviews of our previous Green Impact Teams? We sat down with three of the teams (SNES, Bioscreening Core, and NIHR BRC) to find out how Green Impact has helped them embed sustainability into their workplace.            

How did the toolkit help? 

“We became aware of the different steps we could take to operate more sustainably as a team, such as hosting events which integrated sustainability as part of the planning. We also discovered that there were areas that we were already doing successfully without really being aware of them” – Rachael Gray from, NIHR Newcastle BRC 

What’s your advice for getting started? 

“Start small and find 5 practical and easy solutions and move forward from there. Pass the message, on a one-to-one basis; rather than placing notices on corridors, a personal conversation is advantageous for the team (if only reputational!) as it can be more effective.”  – Carmen Martin-Ruiz, Bioscreening Core Facility

What’s the biggest change your team made? 

“Our infrastructure team now include regular sustainability checks in their scheduled building walkarounds, including fridge temperature checks, radiator checks, bin audits and push-tap checks. These now happen as a matter of course and have been embedded into the day-to-day tasks of the team.” – Katy Sawyer, SNES

Last year we had 16 teams participate, 9 achieve an award and 5 of those reach Gold! Due to this high level of gold awardees, this year we’ve introduced the “Platinum Award”. Could your team be the first Newcastle University Platinum Award winners?  

Let the Green Impacting Commence! 

P.S. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the 24/25 awards winners:  

Special Awards

  • Sustainability Hero – Katy Sawyer
  • Environmental Improvement – Comparative Biology Centre
  • Student Leadership – Sophia Hordiyenko

Team Awards

  • Bronze
    • External Relations – OPS
    • Library
  • Silver
    • POG Labs
    • Leech Building, Medical School
  • Gold
    • Human Developmental Biology Resource
    • E&F Planning
    • NIHR Newcastle BRC
    • Comparative Biology Centre
    • SNES

Sustainable September: What’s coming up!

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September is a big month for environmental awareness, conscious consumerism, and collective action. Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your impact, here’s what’s coming up next month and how you can get involved!

Organic September

Led by the Soil Association, Organic September celebrates organic food and farming. It’s a chance to learn about the benefits of choosing organic for our health and the planet. This Organic Septembers focus is the connection between healthy soil and healthy food. Try swapping one or two regular shopping items for organic alternatives and support farmers who are working with nature.

Tip: Look for the Soil Association organic certification logo next time your food shopping, or read the Soil Associations Organic Living Guide

Second-hand September

Fashion is famously one of the most polluting industries, with millions of clothes ending up in landfill every year. Hosted by Oxfam, Second-hand September encourages people to say no to new clothes for 30 days and take a stance against fast fashion.

Challenge yourself to find an outfit from a thrift shop or host a clothes swap with friends.

Tip: Read our blog for tips on tackling fast fashion.

Photo: Oxfam

World Car Free Day: 22nd September

Join cities around the world in ditching your car for the day. Whether you walk, wheel, take public transport, reducing car use is great for the environment and your health.Map out a car-free route to work/ university and give it a go! Keep an eye on our World Car Free Day events page to find out how Newcastle University are getting involved.

Tip: Cycle in and use our Dr Bike services at Bike Week for free minor repairs!

Recycle Week: 22nd – 28th September

Run by Recycle Now, this national campaign reminds us all to keep recycling correctly. It’s a great time to brush up on what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, and to explore local recycling services.

Tip: Check out our waste A-Z to see what can be recycled on campus.

Great British Beach Clean: 19th – 28th September

Organised by the Marine Conservation Society, the Great British Beach Clean is more than just a litter picking event. Volunteers record the types of litter they find to help push for policy change. There data has helped to make positive change, including the introduction of the plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, better wet wipe labelling, and supporting a tax on single-use plastic items.

Tip: Find a local clean-up event or organise your own with friends and family.

Photo: Great British Beach Clean

Sustainable September is a perfect time to pause, reflect, and act. Which of these events will you take part in?

More awareness days:

Happy International Bog Day!

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Today, we’re celebrating one of the world’s most overlooked yet vital ecosystems – peatlands! Whether it’s bogs, fens, swamps, or marshes, these incredible landscapes play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.

Although peatlands cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface, they are the largest terrestrial carbon store on the planet, holding an estimated 550 gigatons of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined. Read on to discover what makes peatlands so special, the benefits they offer, and how we can all help to protect them.

What are Peatlands?

Peatlands (or bogs) are areas of wetland with thick layers of decomposed vegetation stored in their soils, and 1 metre of peat takes around 1,000 years to build!

 There are three broad peatland types in the UK:

  • Blanket bog – typically found in the uplands, fed by rainfall. Nutrient poor and acidic.
  • Raised bog – localised domes, common in lowland areas. Rain fed, nutrient poor and acidic.
  • Fen – fed by rain and groundwater sources, so differing pH levels from base rich to base poor.

In the North East we have some great examples of peatlands, such as Cuthbert’s Moor in the heart of the Durham Dales and the Border Mires blanket bog next to Kielder Forest.

 Cuthberts Moor (Photo: Durham Wildlife Trust)

Benefits of peatlands

Peatlands provide a host of benefits, known as “ecosystem services”, to society. Some of the ecosystem services that peatlands provide include carbon storage, drinking water filtration, flood prevention, wildlife habitats, grazing land and recreational areas.  Although in the UK, due to the way peatlands have been managed, peatlands are estimated to be a net source of greenhouse gas emissions i.e. they release more CO2 into the atmosphere than they store.

This damaged peat is often referred to as “wasted peat.”

Protecting Peatlands

Peatlands are under threat, but through restoration, better land management, and community awareness, we can work to restore these amazing landscapes.

The UK government has pledged up to £400 million for nature restoration, including efforts to restore peatlands. There are also consultations underway to extend the ban on burning deep peat, a practice that releases emissions and causes habitat loss.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

“Our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest and in desperate need of restoration and protection, as this mapping and research work starkly demonstrates. That is why we have announced up to £400m for nature restoration, including of our peatlands, and are consulting on new plans to extend the ban on burning deep peat. This government, as part of our Plan for Change, are committed to expanding nature-rich habitats and turning the tide on nature’s decline after years of neglect.”

Further information

UK Peat Map

About Peatlands | IUCN UK Peatland Programme

Climate Ambassadors Northeast Hub 

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Are you passionate about the environment and climate change? Sign up to become a climate ambassador! 

Funded by a £2 million investment from the Department for Education, the Climate Ambassador programme is delivered in partnership with the University of Reading, EAUC (the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education), and supported by STEM Learning.  

The programme exists to support nurseries, schools, colleges, and universities in England to develop and implement Climate Action Plans (CAPs) – enabling all education settings to have a CAP in place by the end of 2025. 

What is a Climate Ambassador? 

A Climate Ambassador is a volunteer from any background who is passionate about taking action against climate change and making a positive difference in their local schools, communities, and to the planet! You don’t need to be a climate expert to be an ambassador – training and ongoing support are provided. Ambassadors help raise awareness, inspire others, and lead by example, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. 

As a Climate Ambassador you will have flexibility as to what support you give and how much time you contribute but this includes the opportunity to: 

  • Promote climate action and sustainability across education through collaboration, leadership, and engagement. 
  • Co-develop and implement effective Climate Action Plans (CAPs) with schools and local communities. 
  • Lead eco-initiatives and educational campaigns that inspire participation and long-term behaviour change. 
  • Share insights, experiences and best practices within the network. 

The Northeast Hub 

To support the programme, regional hubs in each of England’s education regions have been set up so that volunteer ambassadors can be matched with education settings in their area. The Northeast Hub is hosted by Newcastle University and led by  Dr Stephen Blenkinsop  and  Professor Hayley Fowler. 

“The Northeast Climate Ambassadors Hub hosted by Newcastle University is excited to be able to draw on the expertise and passion people across our region have for addressing the challenges of climate change. Volunteer ambassadors as well as nurseries, schools and colleges interested in getting support can find out more about all the help the scheme provides from the regional hub at climateambassadors.ne@newcastle.ac.uk.” 

Dr Stephen Blenkinsop 

Sign up now! 

If you are interested in getting involved with the Climate Ambassadors scheme, you can find out more here or sign up here! Volunteers will be provided with free training and support, and be matched to a local nursery, school or college that needs help creating a climate action plan.