The Sustainability Pledges scheme returned for the 2026 academic year with 88 Lincoln members signing up to commit to pledges that support climate action through behaviour change.

This year participants could pick from the following five pledges:

1.  I will clear up my computer files and cloud storage, removing duplicates and unused files and emails.
2.  I will not use any takeaway cups over the course of the pledge period.
3.  I will buy second hand items instead of new ones, wherever possible.
4.  I will have parcels delivered to a central pick-up location rather than to College or my home.
5.  I will eat a vegetarian lunch and vegetarian evening meal at least one per week over the course of the pledge period.

Members had to submit evidence showcasing how they had kept to their pledges and for an additional entry participants could participate in the community litter pick hosted by alumnus Patrick Jackson (1986) and founder of Picker Pals as part of the plethora of events hosted by the College in Green Action Week.

Our winners this year were Vritiksha Shah (2025) and Lanna Kadhim (2025) who each received a £175 Eurostar voucher encouraging sustainable travel. The prize fund was kindly supported by alumnus Patrick Jackson and Tony Curzon Price (1985).

Here is what Lanna, a Lincoln student who was of one of the winners, had to say about the scheme:

“I’m very grateful to have won the prize, and I extend my sincere thanks to the generosity of the alumni who provided the donation.

I fulfilled my pledges to eat more vegetarian meals, shop more second-hand and use a reusable cup. I consistently eat vegetarian meals in hall to minimise the use of animal products, and I’ve actually enjoyed it very much. I’ve even started applying it to most of my meals outside of Lincoln dining as well, seeking out a vegetarian alternative, majority of the time. I’ve also loved shopping second-hand, thrifting some of my favourite pieces on Vinted and in charity shops. Lastly, as a dedicated coffee drinker, I use a reusable coffee cup as much as possible.

I plan to use this voucher for a trip to Amsterdam! I'm especially keen on visiting the Van Gogh Museum.”