The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on 1 September 2020 launched a new publication, “The Little Book of Green Nudges”, at the World Academic Summit which aims to inspire up to 200 million students around the globe to adopt environmentally friendly habits and greener lifestyles.

The book is UNEP’s first on behavioural science and nudge theory, which focuses on human actions and how to change them, and was drafted with The Behavioural Insights Team and GRID-Arendal. It contains 40 ready-made nudges - simple measures that make it easier to make green choices – which university campuses can deploy to encourage students and staff to embrace more sustainable behaviours. Nudging can be a powerful tool at universities, especially when deployed alongside strategies like decarbonizing and divesting from fossil fuels.

As students spend most of their time on campus, university represents a key timely moment for intervention, as many students are establishing habits and routines in many aspects of their lives.

We welcome all interested universities to take part in becoming pilot campuses. Expression of interest can be submitted here (deadline 16 October 2020). We will provide a platform and a series of webinars to share good practices and progress from all participating universities starting early next year.

Join us take this new journey of green nudges towards more sustainable campus!