Green Week aims to educate and evoke action at all levels from grassroots projects up to local government change.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all events were online this year, making them accessible to more people than ever before. Previous Green Weeks have focused on Coventry and Leamington Spa, but all areas of Warwickshire and beyond are now encouraged to get involved.

The event promoted how one small act can make a huge difference. Everything you do adds up, and if everyone contributes then you have a huge impact. These actions can range from taking a shorter shower to eating vegetarian once a day. What you do is your decision!

Ahead of Coventry’s UK City of Culture celebrations, the week helped to kick off a year of green culture events in the local community.

All individuals, groups, organisations, schools, charities and businesses are encouraged to use Green Week as a launch-pad to begin their sustainable journey or use it to increase efforts towards a better future for all.

What do we mean by sustainability? In the case of Green Week, we look to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These goals go beyond transport, energy and waste, seeking to end hunger and poverty, improve health and well-being, ensure quality education and gender equality, make our cities and industries more sustainable and protect life on land and in our oceans, to bring everyone together in partnership towards these goals.

Professor Christine Ennew, Provost of The University of Warwick comments:
“The University of Warwick has declared a Climate Emergency and set net carbon goals for 2030 and 2050 as an integral part of our broader responsibility to protect our environment. As part of this work, we are committed to educating our staff and students about the circular economy and we are committed to reducing our waste, increasing reuse, recycling and recovery.”

Coventry University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Latham CBE, said:

“Sustainable development is critical for how we as a University, our students and the wider community look to the future. We strive to find innovation in how we live, work and interact with the world around us, to the benefit of all. This underpins our teaching, research, operations and activities that support the cities we are based within. We are always excited to co-host this series of engaging events that not only bring our communities together, but also raise awareness about key environmental and societal issues; helping to educate people on how we can all make a difference.”