2025 PRME Global Students Sustainability Award

GOA (Green Origin Association of Zhejiang University, China) is a five-star student association of Zhejiang University located in Hangzhou, China. GOA aims to organize various activities related to nature and environmental protection to enhance people's awareness of environmental protection. With the pattern of "based on campus, radiating Hangzhou, leading the whole country, looking to the world", it leads to environmental protection fashion. GOA have been committed to projects and attempts in different fields for a long time. We have been conducting nature experiences and bird watching tours on campus for 19 years. When birds are injured, we provide assistance. We recruit dozens of people to observe nature every week and set up high-quality courses. We have visited different kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools and community across the country to carry out environmental science education and environmental protection propaganda for 18 years. We cooperate with other organizations to organize water guided Tours, water quality testing and treatment activities. Garbage classification project is one of the influential brands. We’ve set up a voluntary service system for garbage sorting and recycling in 38 student dormitories and 6 canteens. In addition, we actively cooperate with schools, social organizations, and other organizations both domestically and internationally to discuss environmental issues and share experience. What we have done is gradually recognized by the officials.

1. Bird Conservation Program

Zhejiang University boasts a diverse ecological environment, recording a variety of resident and migratory birds each year, making it an important bird habitat that attracts the attention of numerous bird enthusiasts. As of December 2024, the Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University alone has documented up to 254 bird species, including 38 species under national second-class protection. However, despite the rich bird resources, the existing bird protection is often inadequate. For instance, with the increase in glass buildings on campus, bird collisions with glass structures have become frequent. Additionally, campus construction and development have damaged the ecological environment for birds, leading to a continuous reduction in their natural living spaces and endangering their habitats. There is also room for improvement in raising awareness about campus ecological environment and bird protection. GOA was the first on campus to notice these issues and take spontaneous measures to improve the situation.

The Bird Watching and Protection Department under GOA has gathered a significant number of bird enthusiasts, committed to improving the campus ecological environment and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. They conduct bird observations and rescues, paying close attention to the survival status of campus birds. Since the establishment of the Bird Protection Team in 2018, "Contact GOA for Bird Protection and Rescue" has become a consensus among teachers and students. In 2024,172 rescue cases were reported. Through exchanges with bird-watching clubs in universities nationwide, we have learned innovative ideas and methods for bird protection. To address the frequent collisions of birds with transparent or reflective glass, we have applied special textured anti-collision stickers on glass buildings at Zijingang Campus to enhance visibility and reduce bird collisions, effectively lowering bird casualty rates and protecting campus ecological safety. Regarding the destruction of natural habitats due to campus construction, GOA focuses on identifying, protecting, and restoring these damaged ecological environments, including the removal of invasive species and the reconstruction of habitats. We put forward suggestions to the relevant departments of the university to negotiate to build a beautiful Zhejiang University, so that the campus will become a natural paradise for human and bird and other native species to live together, and further enhance the stability of the ecosystem.To raise environmental awareness among students, faculty, and visitors, especially regarding bird protection, we actively apply for various scholarships and funding from environmental public welfare organizations to ensure the project implementation. We also organize a series of educational, promotional activities, and volunteer projects to enhance their understanding of bird habits and the importance of protection, encouraging more people to participate in bird conservation activities and fostering a campus-wide atmosphere of ecological care. We hope to ensure the normal reproduction of different bird populations, maintain campus biodiversity, and promote the sustainable development of the campus ecological environment through regional environmental protection measures and diverse educational activities. Simultaneously, by providing participation opportunities, we aim at cultivate students' sense of responsibility for ecological protection, making them aware of their important role in ecological conservation, integrating environmental concepts into daily life, forming a sustainable campus culture, and ultimately achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

2. Green Campus Initiative

Building a green campus is a profound practice of natural environmental protection and ecological civilization construction against the backdrop of actively responding to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Facing severe challenges such as global climate change, resource depletion, and loss of biodiversity, the campus, as a frontier for knowledge dissemination and innovation, shoulders the important mission of cultivating the environmental awareness of future social citizens, promoting a green lifestyle, and driving scientific and technological innovation. Based on the campus of Zhejiang University, GOA contributes to the construction of a green campus by carrying out activities such as garbage classification, recycling of empty plastic bottles, and second-hand book trading.

We have set up garbage classification and recycling points in 38 student dormitory buildings on the Zijingang Campus of Zhejiang University, as well as in the canteens of the East and West Areas, to recycle Tetra Pak packages, express delivery cartons, empty plastic bottles and so on.We have established a management platform for the volunteer service system. In 2024, we organized more than 800 volunteers to participate in the popular science volunteer service of garbage classification, with a total volunteer service duration of over 6,000 hours. In addition, we have cooperated with multiple student associations to innovate environmental protection recycling projects, such as the recycling and utilization of discarded electronic components and discarded promotional leaflets after large-scale promotional activities. Environmental education is another key thematic activity of the Green Campus Initiative. We recruit and train volunteers, and design popular science promotion activities and teaching plans around current hot topics related to sustainable development and natural environmental protection topics in daily life. We have reached long-term cooperation with several primary schools and kindergartens near Zhejiang University, and volunteers go there to teach every week. During holidays, we go to Heilongjiang Province, Hubei Province, Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province and other places to carry out environmental education summer camp activities, leaving our footprints all over China.

We have cooperated with the Forestry and Water Conservancy Bureau of Yuhang District, Hangzhou City to jointly carry out water culture promotion activities on "World Water Day" and entered Pingyao Middle School to carry out popular science promotion. We have invited experts to give lectures at Zhejiang University and share professional knowledge about environmental protection. We have been invited to participate in the "National University Campus Natural Conservation Area" exchange and seminar, and had dialogues with green student associations from 12 national universities including Peking University and Tsinghua University. We jointly held an online environmental protection exchange meeting with the Tsun Jin High School in Malaysia, discussed the construction of near-zero-carbon campuses with representatives from universities in Asian countries, gave lectures in the series of ecological civilization lectures of the Corbusier Academy, and shared the environmental protection concepts and practices of Chinese college students with the world.

3. Nature Coexistence Initiative

With abundant natural resources, Zhejiang University boasts a beautiful campus environment. GOA conducts weekly phenological monitoring, water quality testing, and habitat surveys. Through these investigations, we have identified that intermittent garbage accumulation and invasive apple snail infestations have significant impacts on the Qizhen Lake's ecological stability. What's more, ongoing campus construction and tourist activities also cause certain degrees of damage to campus ecology and natural environment.

So we organize this series of activities, aiming to enhance public awareness of water resource and environmental protection. We also hope our efforts can implement measures to improve water quality and ensure the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.

The initiative also seeks to encourage broader public participation in environmental actions.With a wider range of participation,we deepen understanding of ecological issues, disseminate environmental knowledge, and foster civic responsibility for ecological conservation.In this way,we do harm to cultivate environmental consciousness among participants, contributing to harmonious human-nature coexistence.

As a core force in green campus development, we recruit volunteers from faculty and students for various activities on Campus . In 2024, GOA has conducted over 20 water quality tests and aquatic ecosystem tours.Participants equipped with fundamental water testing methodologies can accurately identify variations in water quality conditions and assess their ecological impacts. We organized 12 plogging (plocka + jogging) events,merging fitness with ecological conservation. A total of 84,292.6 grams of waste was removed by over 400 participants through these initiatives, directly protecting the Qizhen Lake ecosystem.

As organizers, we recruit nature enthusiasts to conduct campus nature tours and phenological monitoring, leading 300 participants in immersive nature experiences. These experiences showcased the ecological functions of aquatic plants—from water purification to soil stabilization—while cataloging over 150 campus plant species.The student-designed Nature Literacy Enhancement Program, an annual flagship course, mentors 30+ learners in botanical studies and nature immersion. Complementing this, the Nature Ambassador initiative engages volunteers in diverse activities: invasive apple snail removal, eco-lectures, plogging events, and environmental competitions.

Aligning with Zhejiang University’s commitment to social responsibility, we conducted ecological surveys in neighboring communities and multi-province water management studies. During winter and summer vacations, we generated 30+ research reports. Through plogging and other activities, we clean target areas and adjacent regions to reduce water pollution sources, assisting nearby villages with waste sorting and river maintenance. Our team visited Yaxi Reservoir and investigated Xiao'anxi River's headwaters, conducting water quality tests to evaluate Lishui's beautiful river-lake construction achievements.

During interactions with curious tourists and local villagers, we patiently explained environmental issues including apple snail control and water testing indicators, disseminating water conservation knowledge. Our team-building activities in Siming Mountains—including hiking, camping, and stargazing—enhanced group cohesion while documenting local flora. Collaborating with local governments, we assist in promoting rural waste classification and environmental awareness campaigns.

1. For the birds themselves: This project directly protects birds, ensuring their safety during migration and daily life, significantly reducing the risk of injury and death caused by human activities. This is particularly important as we are protecting not only common birds but also rare species listed in the wildlife protection catalog.

Biodiversity: Birds are an essential part of the ecosystem, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. Frequent bird collisions not only threaten the survival of individual birds but also negatively impact biodiversity and ecological balance. Protecting birds means protecting biodiversity, which is vital for maintaining ecological balance and human well-being.

Ecological Education and Cultural Value: Campuses are places for cultivating future societal leaders and decision-makers. Implementing bird protection projects on campus can enhance the environmental awareness of students and faculty, fostering their sense of responsibility and consciousness towards the natural environment. As a renowned national university, Zhejiang University, and its environmental association, GOA, will have a positive demonstrative effect on society through their actions in ecological protection and bird rescue, encouraging more people to participate in ecological protection efforts.

Scientific Research Value: For researchers and environmental workers, this project provides valuable data for understanding bird behavior and ecology through the study and monitoring of bird collisions and bird survival in urban habitats, thereby advancing related scientific research.

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities: Protecting endangered and rare species is a requirement of international and domestic laws and an ethical responsibility of humans towards nature. Reducing bird collisions and protecting nationally protected birds are concrete actions to fulfill these responsibilities.

2. In our garbage classification and Tetra Pak package recycling projects, we recycle an average of 8,000 Tetra Pak packages per year, and return more than 100 kg of cushioning materials to the sending center. Since the implementation of the project, we have cumulatively recycled more than one ton of Tetra Pak packages. The recycled and regenerated products have saved 9 ten-year-old big trees, 1.5 tons of crude oil, and 21 tons of bauxite ore. The volunteer service platform we have established has a cumulative total of more than 5,000 volunteers, benefiting more than 50,000 people, with a cumulative volunteer service duration of over 40,000 hours. On average, we go out to primary schools and communities for environmental education promotion more than 50 times a year, giving nearly 80 classes, influencing more than 2,000 people, covering various student groups such as kindergarten, primary school, and middle school students. In recent years, the association has won the 2022 United Nations PRME Student Recognition Award for excellence in SDG impact, and has been consecutively named as one of the "Top Ten Student Associations of Zhejiang University" from 2012 to 2024. It has won the honorary title of "Model 100 National College Student Associations" many times, and won the Bronze Award in the Zhejiang Youth Volunteer Service Project Competition and other honorary awards.

In the future, GOA will further improve the quality of activities, strengthen external exchanges, build a university action network, popularize the knowledge of the dual-carbon policy, promote the construction of a green campus, widely carry out public publicity, empower youth leadership actions, and promote low-carbon environmental protection behaviors. We will lead the environmental protection fashion in the current era, bravely shoulder the heavy responsibilities of young people in the era, and contribute the youthful strength of students.

3. On campus, we have effectively disseminated environmental concepts, engaging over 500 faculty and students in ecosystem protection practices. These experiences deepen understanding of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants emerge as advocates for sustainable practices, driving grassroots engagement in campus environmental initiatives.Through immersive nature experiences, they comprehend plant characteristics and their critical roles in aquatic ecosystems, such as water purification and soil conservation. This inspires spontaneous participation in sustainable campus development.

Starting with foundational efforts like cleaning target areas and surrounding litter to reduce water pollution sources, we monitor campus water quality and seasonal ecological shifts. By studying Qizhen Lake’s water management solutions, we gather insights to refine future initiatives and foster human-nature harmony.

In Siming Mountain villages, we supported waste classification and environmental governance, helping residents build cleaner communities. By late August, all 12 villages achieved passing scores in sanitation evaluations, with an average of 89.7 points.

1. Students participating in this project take on multiple roles, including leading bird-watching activities, promoting environmental concepts, and engaging in rescue work. They gain practical experience in campus bird watching and protection, accumulate rich practical experience in environmental protection and team management experience, and enhance their understanding of birds and biodiversity. By studying and monitoring bird collisions and bird survival in urban habitats, students in related fields can apply project data and results to academic research, improving their scientific research capabilities and advancing related scientific research processes.

2. Academic Development: Team members can learn interdisciplinary knowledge and cultivate comprehensive academic literacy during the process of participating in the project implementation. In the process of designing popular science activities and teaching plans, students conduct in-depth research on hot topics related to sustainable development and natural environmental protection topics, understand cutting-edge knowledge such as climate change and biodiversity protection, broaden their academic horizons, and lay a foundation for relevant academic research. Through activities such as garbage classification and recycling of empty plastic bottles, students apply their knowledge to real life and deepen their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Professional Skills: When organizing rich activities, students need to coordinate various resources such as volunteers and cooperative units, arrange activity processes, allocate supplies, etc., which exercises their organizational and coordination abilities and improves their professional skills. Cooperating with other student associations to innovate environmental protection recycling projects cultivates students' innovative thinking and practical hands-on abilities. Students learn how to effectively manage teams and resources during the operation and management of the volunteer service system management platform, improving their team collaboration and management skills. In various exchange and learning activities, students' communication skills are improved.

Personal Journey: In a series of environmental protection actions, students can cultivate their own social responsibility, enhance their attention to social issues, and expand their global vision. The project provides students with a platform for practical learning and leadership cultivation, cultivating a global perspective and strategic thinking, which helps them lead teams to solve complex problems in the future. Students jointly analyze and explore solutions in cooperation, improve their problem-solving abilities, and use innovative thinking to develop new environmental protection projects. All these will be conducive to students' personal development and ability improvement.

3. Through hands-on participation in these initiatives, club members have significantly enhanced their understanding of aquatic ecosystems, plant biology, and natural systems while deepening their grasp of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their practical implications for building a more sustainable and responsible world. The structured division of roles and collaborative workflows have empowered members to identify and utilize their individual strengths within teams, fostering not only improved coordination skills but also a culture of mutual trust and support. Additionally, through liaising with government departments and official institutions during project implementation, students refined their communication strategies, developed resilience in handling rejections and skepticism, and gained critical experience in cross-sector partnership building.

1. Bird Conservation Plan

2. Green Campus Initiative

3. Natural Symbiosis Program

4. Love Bird Week

5. Nature Expert Development Plan

6. World Water Day themed event

7. World Environment Day themed event

8. Premium courses

9. Book recycling

10. Cosmetics Empty Bottle Recycling Program

11. Qizhen Lake Environmental Protection Action

Student Representative

Xiaoyun zeng, Jing zhong, Yuxuan yang, Hanyi jiang, Xi qin, Xinliang li, Xin xu

yunxzju@qq.com2143119512@qq.com, 1468891299@qq.com,hany1_jiang@126.com

(+86）18076261789, 15869017926

Academic Supervisor

Shulin zhuang, Junru huang

shulin@zju.edu.cn, junru@zju.edu.cn