Sustainability Challenge

Feel empowered to take action on sustainability issues that matter most to you.

This challenge is available in Blackboard now

Sustainability is really important to us here at The University of Manchester which is why we created the Sustainability Challenge. Complete our interactive online activity where you can learn how to play your part as a student. This challenge will get you to think critically about sustainability in a real world context and empower you to take action on the issues that matter most to you. The Challenge is the first of our three Ethical Grand Challenges and is your chance to get involved with key global issues.

Answer the big sustainability questions facing our world in the Sustainability Challenge.

Learn how to be more sustainable 

Working online through interactive games and activities, you’ll get to develop plans for a new campus. The Sustainability Challenge helps you to learn more about sustainability and how you can play your part as a student during your time at University.

Take steps towards the Stellify Award

What’s the Stellify Award you may ask? This is the University’s most prestigious extra-curricular award for undergraduate students. The Sustainability Challenge forms part of this, so by completing it, you’ll be starting your Stellify journey.

How do I complete it?

  • Year 1 undergraduate students: Find the Sustainability Challenge in the “Organisations” section of Blackboard. Available now. If you can’t see the challenge, contact egc@manchester.ac.uk to request access.
  • All other undergraduate students: If you missed the Sustainability Challenge in first year, you can still catch up. Sign up by following these instructions.
  • Postgraduate taught students: You can enrol in the Sustainability Challenge by following these instructions.

 

Key Facts About the Sustainability Challenge

What is the Sustainability Challenge and who can take it?

The Sustainability Challenge is an interactive online activity on Blackboard which challenges you to think critically about sustainability in a real world context and empowers you to take action on the issues that matter most to you.

The activity is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 

How do I access the Sustainability Challenge?

Year 1 undergraduate students:

  1. Log into Blackboard 
  2. Open the ‘Organisations’ section
  3. Click on ‘EGC: Sustainability Challenge’

Final year undergraduate students: self enrol by following these instructions. 

Postgraduate students: self enrol at www.egc.manchester.ac.uk/sc-pg

Why should I complete the Sustainability Challenge?

For undergraduate students, completion of two Ethical Grand Challenges (including the Sustainability Challenge) counts towards the prestigious Stellify Award

Successful completion of the Sustainability Challenge will also appear on your HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report)

 

By completing the Sustainability Challenge, you will also:

  • Develop knowledge, skills and understanding of challenges facing society in the 21st century

  • Enhance your employability skills

  • Explore issues of sustainability and hopefully be inspired to take action on issues of importance to you

  • Contextualise your degree and place it in a wider national and global context

I can’t access the Sustainability Challenge

If you can’t access the Sustainability Challenge, email egc@manchester.ac.uk with the subject line Sustainability Challenge access.

How can I take action?

 At the end of the challenge there are suggestions for how you can get involved and take action.

When is the deadline to complete the Sustainability Challenge?

The Sustainability Challenge will close on Tuesday 3 June 2025.