- Create and implement a climate action plan with a local business
- In person (with some remote training)
- Around four hours a week, during academic term time
- No experience needed
What is Climate Action Bristol
Climate Action Bristol pairs teams of four University of Bristol students with a local business to create and implement climate action plans. This tool from NETpositive Futures supports long-term, sustainable change to tackle climate change. From October – April, you will gain real-world experience of engaging in sustainability within a local business, focusing on four key areas; sustainable sourcing, travel and transport, energy and efficiency and people and management.
The programme benefits our community partners through new perspectives, added capacity and improved community cohesion. It will also benefit your engagement with the world around you, wellbeing and key skills such as confidence, project management, resilience, leadership and teamwork. You will also gain a better understanding of what sustainability in business looks like.
I also feel as though it has made me become more aware of my own potential to affect change. It has helped highlight to me that I can make changes to systems and develop myself as a person with growing confidence.
Shivali Agrawal, Climate Action Bristol participant 2021-22
What you’ll be doing
As a Climate Action Bristol participant you will attend regular sessions and work with your team and partner outside of these sessions on your creating and implementing your climate action plan. You will do primary and secondary research, provide key recommendations and help support businesses to implement actions to become more sustainable.
We expect volunteers to engage for around 3 – 4 hours a week, during the academic term. There are consistent breaks throughout the programme and you are not expected to volunteer during breaks and exam periods. This is an example timetable based on the 2023 – 24 academic year:
| 11 October | Selection workshops |
| 23 October | Launch event on campus |
| 31 October | Introduction to Sustainability and Project Management |
| 7 November | Project Management Training |
| 22 November | Action Learning Sets |
| 8 December | CAB Clinic |
| 15 Dec – 20 Jan | Winter Break – no volunteering |
| 25 January | Mid-Programme Presentations |
| 6 February | Resource Creation and Implementation |
| 7 February & 6 March | Action Learning Sets |
| 25 Mar – 12 Apr | Spring Break – no volunteering |
| 15 April | Reflection Session |
| 25 April | Showcase Event on Campus |
How to get involved
Applications for 2023 – 24 closed. We are currently recruiting for our 2024 – 25 Climate Action Bristol coordinators – applications open until April 17th.
To find out more about other opportunities or keep in touch for the next academic year, register your interest.
If you have any questions, or require any support to get involved, don’t hesitate to contact Sorcha at manager@bristolhub.org.
FAQ
There are loads of benefits for you if you get involved with Bristol Hub. These include:
- Having an impact in the community. You can make a difference and support local organisations to make sustainable change.
- Have the opportunity to build friendships with students from different year groups and degrees.
- You will develop key skills including teamwork, sustainability development, leadership, resilience and confidence. This will be supported by the professional training you receive and the support you get throughout your experience.
- Receive accreditation towards your Bristol PLUS Award.
- A certificate recognising the commitment you’ve made, which you can put on your CV and share on LinkedIn.
We’ve assessed the accessibility of all our opportunities and are able to discuss these with you prior to you starting your placement, this includes any reasonable adjustments we can make. All accessibility information will also be sent to you prior to your placement as standard.If you have any questions about accessibility, or want to make request a reasonable adjustment, please reach out to Sorcha at manager@bristolhub.org.
Some examples of reasonable adjustments we can offer include:
- Using an expensed taxi service to aid mobility conditions,
- Making sure there is seating with no arms,
- Receiving print outs for trainings where requested,
- Extra time to complete activities in the selection workshop, as you would get in exams.
Our activities are all open for everyone so if you’ve not been involved in social action before, or you’re apprehensive about getting involved, reach out to Sorcha at manager@bristolhub.org. All of our opportunities practice a safe space policy meaning they are supportive, non-judgemental and always willing to listen.
If you would rather speak to a student before you get involved, chat to our coordinators Holly and Keith, at holly.cab@bristolhub.org and keith.cab@bristolhub.org respectively.
We will be in touch as soon as we’ve read your application. We will let you know whether you are invited to a selection workshop, and further information on what to expect.
We offer feedback at any point in your journey on Climate Action Bristol, just pop us an email to ask!
In order to support you to be confident as a student consultant we deliver comprehensive training covering:
- Project Management,
- Leadership,
- Research and analytics,
- Teamwork skills,
- Problem solving skills,
- Sustainability in practice,
- Report writing,
- Presentation skills.
It’s natural to feel nervous when you try new things, but don’t let you put that off. If you want to talk to a member of our team before applying or attending a session you can email them. Or if you’re not sure who to speak to email info@bristolhub.org and we’ll get back to you.
Some things we recommend often include applying to the programme with a friend – you could sign up together and may come to the same selection workshop so that you’ll have a friendly face. Alternatively, you could arrange to meet a member of our team before a session so that you get to know each other 1-1 and can travel together. We’ll work together to find a solution which supports you to get involved, whatever that may be.
Still nervous? Have a chat with one of our lovely student coordinators, Holly (holly.cab@bristolhub.org) and Keith (keith.cab@bristolhub.org).
Climate Action Bristol asks volunteers to be engaging for 3 – 5 hours a week, during the academic terms. Whilst on breaks (i.e. the Winter and Spring breaks), students are not required to volunteer. We aim to ensure all volunteers have a healthy break!
Additionally, the programme runs in two phases, teaching block 1 and teaching block 2. If you wish, there is an opt out opportunity at the end of Teaching Block 1 to focus on your academics. If you are concerned about commitment and have further questions, please contact Sorcha at manager@bristolhub.org.
Run in collaboration with
