Clare Hall is proud to announce that it has been honoured with the prestigious “Best Environmental Impact” award in the College category at the University of Cambridge Environmental Sustainability Awards. This recognition reflects the College’s holistic approach to environmental stewardship, embedding responsibility across its governance, operations, and community life.

The award was presented by Professor Bhaskar Vira FAcSS, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Environmental Sustainability, and received by David James, Domestic Bursar, on behalf of the College, on 16 June.

In addition to the top college honour, the Kitchen Team received a Highly Commended recognition for “Best Environmental Improvement,” celebrating their transformative work over the past year in providing a sustainable and delicious menu.

It was incredible to see the hard work everyone across the entire college puts into sustainability initiatives, that may otherwise get unnoticed, get recognised! The team are wonderful and deserve all the plaudits.

Rishul Karia, GSB President

A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability

Clare Hall’s recognition for the “Best Environmental Impact” stems from a holistic strategy that integrates sustainability into governance through a formal Environmental Policy and a dedicated College Environment Committee. On-site infrastructure has been significantly upgraded with a total transition to LED lighting and enhanced insulation, alongside future-facing commitments to install solar panels and a second swimming pool heat pump. Resource management is further optimized by ensuring equipment defaults to energy-saving modes and by maintaining a robust circular economy that encompasses furniture upcycling, the recirculation of bicycles, a household-item swap, and a “second life” bedding scheme for residents. To minimize waste, the College utilizes 100% recycled paper and bulk cleaning supplies while providing comprehensive recycling facilities for items ranging from electronics to batteries. These operational successes are mirrored in the College’s green spaces, which are managed entirely without peat or pesticides to foster biodiversity through native planting, and resident-led initiatives like the community allotment and the “60 species for 60 years” program.

Award-Winning Dining: Leading the Way in Cambridge

The Kitchen Team’s Highly Commended recognition highlights their role as pioneers in sustainable collegiate dining. Our dining hall has been increasingly producing sustainable menus that are sustainable sourced, plant-based and low carbon, while still serving some of the best food of all colleges in Cambridge.

The kitchen team has trained diligently on sustainability practices, making constant progress on ingredient selection and sourcing. The kitchen sources many of its ingredients locally and has partnered with Angry Monk, a supplier specialising in surplus and irregular produce. Over a three-month period, this partnership enabled the kitchen to rescue nearly three tonnes of fruit and vegetables, preventing waste and conserving over one million litres of water.

We are the first College to reach 50% plant-based as committed to in CamEatsZero, and we are continuously expanding our plant-based offer by converting 60% of the vegetarian options to fully vegan meals, while reducing ruminant meat content by up to 40% and replacing it with plant-based alternatives through our Carbon Crushers meals.

Clare Hall is proud to be constantly striving to achieve a Zero Waste Kitchen, and looking at ways to ensure we are letting as little food as possible be thrown away. Our “leftovers policy” allows diners to take away a full meal for £1, reducing food waste by an additional 30% since its introduction. The kitchen also supports the student-run Allotment by providing vegetable peelings for composting purposes.

This article was written by María Macías Constantino.

We are honoured and grateful to be recipients of these wonderful recognitions, and we sincerely thank Sabrina Gyles and the Kitchens Team for their incredible effort, as well as GSB President Rishul Karia, GSB Vice-President Robyn Schnell, and GSB Green Officer for Sustainability María Macías Constantino for their work in preparing and submitting Clare Hall’s nominations.