King's College London

The prestigious THE Awards celebrate the transformational impact of universities across the UK and Ireland, highlighting excellence in teaching, research and administration.

The Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership award recognises institutions that tackle environmental challenges through innovative approaches. King’s has been shortlisted for Menus of Change, a university-wide initiative that is transforming campus dining.

Developed in collaboration with King’s Food, leading researchers and nutrition and dietetic students, the programme aims to cut the environmental footprint of food production while supporting the health and wellbeing of the King’s community. At the core of the initiative is an "Inverted Menu Design" philosophy, where menus are built around local, seasonal and environmentally responsible ingredients. This approach avoids the Big Five overfished species, ensuring 70% of the produce is plant-based and adhering to 15% higher welfare standards for meat and eggs. It also incorporates King’s Root-to-Tip project, which cuts food waste by using stalks, peels and other often-discarded parts of fruit and vegetables to create meals higher in fibre and protein.

Since its launch, more than 350,000 sustainable meals have been served in King’s cafes, reducing carbon emissions by 6.42 tonnes. It stands as a model for how institutions can connect research and education with healthy eating and climate action.

The nomination for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community celebrates King’s leadership in the Make London a Living Wage City campaign , spearheaded by Citizens UK and Trust for London, and endorsed by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan. King’s contribution to the campaign has helped lift thousands of Londoners out of in-work poverty, supporting fair pay and economic justice across the capital. 

Working in partnership with English for Action and parent group Empoderando Familias, students enrolled on King’s Social Change Lab module engaged in community organising activities and direct negotiations with employers to champion workers’ rights. Their efforts helped secure Living Wage accreditation for several major South Bank institutions, delivering an annual pay rise up to an estimated £4,700 per full-time employee compared to the national minimum wage.

Alongside this, King’s Policy Institute is working with Southwark Council and the Living Wage Foundation to document the real impact of paying the London Living Wage on local employees and employers. It aims to build a case for wider adoption and encourage dialogue on tackling low pay and financial resilience. 

King’s has been recognised with the ‘Institution of the Year’ award from the Living Wage Foundation for its leadership in promoting the London Living Wage. The winners of the THE Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on 13 November 2025. View the full shortlist.