Applications are now closed for 2022 - 23 Cohort. To keep up to date with related opportunities, please sign up to our Weekly Newsletter or follow us on one of our Social Media accounts.

Applications for the Social Innvoation Programme are still open for volunteers until mid-February!

What is Climate Action Bristol?

Climate Action Bristol is a programme that gives you the skills to support local businesses to make sustainable change. You get the opportunity to be trained in consultancy, sustainability and other transferable skills to support you to work in teams with your partner business.

The programme is centered around a diagnostic tool that helps you and your business to develop a Climate Action Plan. You will conduct research on behalf of your partner to determine ways they can become more sustainable that are tailored to their needs. There will also be an opportunity in teaching block 2 to start implementing these changes. You will help organisations make and track progress as they become more aware and take practical actions that benefit your community.

Action plans focus on four areas; Energy & Efficiency, Travel & Transport, Sustainable Sourcing, People and Engagement. Through collaboration with student teams, local organisations develop an understanding for inbuilt resilience, which should enable future business development with a sustainable perspective.

Bristol Hub, the University of Bristol's Sustainability Team and NETpositive Futures collaboratively run this programme to provide you with an excellent opportunity to take part in real-world learning that puts your interest in sustainability and climate action to practical use.

Why do we run Climate Action Bristol?

Bristol City Council became the first UK council to declare a climate emergency, committing to carbon neutrality by 2030; an ambitious but necessary target.

In April 2019, The University of Bristol became the first UK University to echo this commitment “reaffirming their strong and positive commitment to take action on climate change”.

Climate Action Bristol is a response to the Climate Emergency, providing an opportunity for students and local organisations to work together on tangible actions.

How does it work?

• You complete an application form to join the programme.
• Applications are reviewed on the 10th October, selection workshops take place and 30 places are offered to successful applicants.
• October 24th: Launch of the Programme
• Phase 1: You will meet your partner organisation and collaboratively develop a Climate Action Plan. As a team you will research areas of interest and construct a informed plan of action incuding recommendations for the business to take forward. You will also be attending training and be given support throughout this period.
• December 12th: Students will reflect and share their Climate Action Plans, creating clear goals for the next academic term to support their local business.
• Phase 2: you begin implementing and evaluating these changes for your business. Here you will have the opportunity to see your recommendations in action and provide valuable work and capacity to your business.
• April 24th: Showcase celebrating the work of the Climate Action Bristol Project

Have any questions about the application process or need reasonable adjustments made? Please contact [email protected]. We are inclusive and encouraging of all University of Bristol students who want to volunteer, and encourage LGBTQ+, Black, Asian, disabled and other minority groups to apply.

Benefits for students

This practical experience enables you to implement learnings from your degree course and embed the importance of inbuilt resilience and evidence-based actions. You will benefit from invaluable professional experience combined with opportunties for personal and skill development. This will support your employability across multiple sectors, not just for work in the sustainability field.

Key skills you can gain are:

• Project management
• Teamwork
• Consultancy
• Stakeholder management
• Problem solving

Students on the programme will be given full training and support throughout the programme to effectively carry out their roles.

Before you apply

The programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, across all disciplines.

• There are 15 places on the scheme - it is competitive! So take time on your application.

• The programme is a commitment of 1-5 hours a week across six months. Time commitment will change based on the demands of the project. Before you apply, consider whether you are able to commit the amount of time needed for both you and the organisations taking part, to get the most out of the programme.

• You will be required to attend induction training, and be open to additional training throughout the programme.

• You don't need any specific experience to take part in Climate Action Bristol - just an interest in sustainability, social action and an eagerness to learn more about consulting and make a change in the community! If you are concerned about Covid-19, you can read our current covid-19 guidelines for more information.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Bristol Hub is committed to making our activities inclusive to all students. We cover all travel expenses and We can make reasonable adjustments to application processes, training sessions, volunteering projects and other activities on a case-by-case basis. We also provide ongoing support for the students we work with, so if you have particular accessibility needs, including special educational needs, please email [email protected] and let us know how we can make this activity more accessible. We ensure that all our activites, training and events are safe spaces, read our Safe Space Policy to learn more.

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.

This activity will require you to have access to a laptop/tablet to join training sessions and meetings. If you don't have access to tech please get in touch with Sorcha at [email protected].

The Bristol PLUS Award

Students can get recognition for taking part in extra-curricular events and projects run by Bristol Hub through the Bristol PLUS award, which is run by the Careers Service.

The Award provides a framework for students to reflect on the skills they have gained and learn how to articulate them effectively to future employers. For more details and learn how the PLUS Award could benefit you please see the Careers website.

Bristol Hub are happy to provide a reference to anyone who completes the programme. You will also be rewarded with a badge of completion that can be shared on LinkedIn and a certificate celebrating your achievements.

Interested in other ways to get involved with Bristol Hub?

• Write a paid blog for Student Hubs about your social/environmental action experience!
• Join one of our FREE webinars/workshops to help boost your skills and enhance your volunteering experiences.
• Sign up to our weekly newsletter so you never miss out on our one-off events or volunteering opportunities again!