How to turn students into sustainability champions
Sustainability champions are your greatest allies in driving wide-scale behaviour change. In our recent webinar, How to Turn Students into Green Champions, we explored how you can empower students to take climate action, influence their peers and embed sustainability into everyday campus life.
Joined by Teifion Maddocks, Sustainability Manager at Swansea University, and our very own Engagement Director, Katie Rees, we shared practical, proven approaches to building sustainability champions using the SWell platform and high-impact engagement moments like Go Green Week.
You can watch the full webinar recording below.
Why sustainability champions drive behaviour change
Sustainability champions help you turn strategy into action. While most students care about climate change, many feel unsure about what they can realistically do. Champions close the gap by making sustainability visible, social and achievable.
At Swansea University, this starts with soft entry points. Students begin with simple, habit-forming actions that fit into daily life. Over time, their champions’ confidence grows. This is common in our engagement programmes, where small actions lead to sustained behaviour change.
If you are exploring how to design these entry points, our guide to behaviour change in sustainability engagement is a useful place to start.
Recruiting sustainability champions through events and platforms
Go Green Week plays a vital role in recruiting sustainability champions. Rather than a one-off campaign, it creates a visible moment that draws students in and connects them to ongoing action.
At Swansea University, workshops, nature-based activities and community events link directly to Swell sign-ups. Students take part in person and then continue engaging through the platform. As a result, curiosity turns into commitment and participants become advocates.
The key is clear progression. When physical engagement links to a simple next step, momentum builds. We explore this approach further in our blog on sustainability campaigns and engagement.
Supporting your champions
Sustainability champions thrive when you support and recognise them. That means clear communications, regular celebration and visible leadership buy-in.
Peer-to-peer promotion is especially powerful. Students are more likely to act when they see people like them taking part. Sharing stories, photos and impact data reinforces that sustainability is part of everyday campus culture.
Recognition also matters. Certificates, rewards and public shout-outs help champions feel valued and motivated. Over time, this creates a self-sustaining community that reduces pressure on small sustainability teams. If you want practical ideas, our blog on gamification and sustainability engagement is a helpful next read.
When you are ready to grow your own sustainability champions, we will support you with a bespoke programme that combines platform, communications and expert guidance. You can request a demo here and start turning interest into action.
