The nine councils in Nottinghamshire have joined the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to tackle climate crisis in a trailblazing partnership.

Councils have followed the lead of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to offer a Green Rewards platform for Notts residents. The first collaborative sustainability engagement programme of its kind in the UK, it features simple carbon-reduction activities that residents can complete.

Green Rewards was launched at the University of Nottingham in March 2021. It is an app and web platform whereby staff and students can accumulate points and earn prizes for many everyday activities that help lower their carbon footprint.

It is part of the Universities for Nottingham civic collaboration which aims to improve the way the universities work with each other and their local partners to help change the lives of local people for the better.

Through the Universities for Nottingham initiative, partners have pledged to tackle sustainable travel and transport and develop joint programmes to change behaviour, ensuring the lessons learnt are passed on to all in the region.

It means Nottinghamshire is the first county in the country to see all its major local authority and education partners collaborate on a climate change reduction project in this way ahead of COP 26, providing an easy-to-use platform and incentives for all.

From left to right: Andy Nolan (UoN), Katie Rees (JUMP), Graham Simmonds (JUMP) and Charmaine Morrell (NTU)

Andy Nolan, Director of Sustainability said: “We’ve been delighted with the way our staff and students have used the Green Rewards App to log the positive actions they are taking to help achieve our sustainability goals and it’s great to see how commitments made through the Universities for Nottingham initiative are expanding across the county.

“We’ve already seen 23,000 positive actions, saving over 25,000kg of CO2.”

The partnership will support each council’s target of reaching net zero carbon emissions before 2040, with some committing to earlier dates.

Join Green Rewards today and earn great discounts, vouchers and prizes at local businesses in your community for playing your part to combat climate change and achieve net zero.

Record the positive actions you’re taking an in return, you’ll earn ‘Green Points’ with monthly prizes for our top earning individuals and teams!

There are lots of activities that you can get involved in, like litter picks, using reusable cups and bottles, zero waste shopping and much more. The more actions you take, the more points you earn – and that’s where our prizes come in.

Each month the eight individuals who earn the most Green Points win a £20 voucher, whilst there are a further two £20 vouchers handed out in a monthly raffle. Voucher winners can pick from a range of local and national brands.

You also compete as part of a team, and every six months the teams that have earned the most Green Points per person win a share of £200 to donate to their favourite charity.

All staff and students at the University of Nottingham can get involved and you can sign up now.

Find out more about Green Rewards