This is the first year of the Bristol Post Green Capital Awards which were introduced to honour Bristol’s appointment as European Green Capital for 2015. The city has already invested nearly £2 million in over 180 sustainable projects across the city.

The Green Hero Award acknowledges individuals that have made a significant contribution to making an environmental difference during 2015 European Green Capital year. The nomination is recognition of Chris Willmore's work for the Law School which has actively engaged students in city transformation. Chris has also made a significant contribution to the Univeristy's mission to build a sustainable inclusive city. 

Chris introduced ‘Sustainable Development’, an interdisciplinary course at the University, which has been recognised for its success in motivating students to address the issue of sustainability. She has also been involved in numerous initiatives outside of the Law School.

This includes working with the Students’ Union to engage people with extra-curricular activities, and encouraging the public to make a concerted effort to think about their energy consumption and waste through the successful ‘Switch Off Campaign’.

Chris' ambition is for the initiatives and courses she has introduced to have long-term impacts on the student population of Bristol, not just throughout their degrees, but for the rest of their lives:

Our biggest environmental impact as a university is the thousands of students who graduate each year with a lifetime of footprint ahead of them. We need to skill them to be able to make wise choices

Chris is currently looking to further engage the general student population through a sustainable volunteering scheme and is part of a committee looking to find the most sustainable path for the University. 

The winners of the Green Hero Award will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted at the Bristol Marriott on November 12th.