Plug the university finance gap by turning teaching greener

As students take to the streets calling for free higher education, a spotlight is being shone again on the sustainability of England’s higher education system. While much of the debate centres around financial sustainability, if universities did more to become environmentally sustainable they could also reduce costs. Building on an analysis of the student loans system, the findings from the SusTEACH project suggest that redesign of higher education teaching models and degree structures could not only reduce energy consumption and carbon emmisions but reduce financial costs for students. Innovative teaching models could contribute to financial and environmental sustainability. Much more could be done to reduce student debt and address demands for inter-generational justice.