Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has launched a new engagement and sustainability programme for the 4,000 employees based across its four campuses.
The new programme, Green Rewards, was implemented on Monday 4 February 2019. It has been introduced to encourage staff to participate in activities that boost sustainability, at the same time as improving their own wellbeing. This aligns with NTU's commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and its pledge to reduce its environmental impact.
Green Rewards, provided by Jump, allows employees to track their positive actions on an online platform across six categories: my carbon footprint, my resources, my travel, my food and drink, my community and my health and wellbeing.
Activities such as calculating their individual carbon footprint, making a plastic pledge, volunteering, taking lunchtime walks and engaging in mindfulness time are all rewarded through the programme via a system of points.
The themes have been designed to directly correlate to the SDGs, demonstrating to employees that they can have a positive impact on a global, individual and organisational level. For example, staff are rewarded for using reusable bottles and coffee cups instead of single use plastics. This relates to SDG 12: responsible consumption and production.
Using an online leader board, the top two individuals each month will win a £20 voucher for either Love2Shop, John Lewis, National Book Tokens or to use at the cinema. The top performing team is also recognised every six months, winning a £200 charity donation.
NTU promoted the event to staff using teaser emails and via its internal communications channels.
The organisation also hosted launch events to promote the programme, answer employees' questions and give them an opportunity to sign up for events. These took place on Monday 4 February on City Campus and Tuesday 5 February on Clifton Campus.
Charmaine Morrell, sustainable development manager at NTU, said: “We’re really excited to be launching Green Rewards for all of our employees, as positive lifestyle choices are fundamental to us achieving our sustainable, environmental and wellbeing ambitions.
“The programme demonstrates the strategic importance we place on sustainable and wellbeing choices we all make, and we hope it will inspire [employees] to work together in a fun and engaging way.”
