A campus sustainability contest
North American universities go head-to-head to earn the most Green Leaves by completing eco-actions in the GetGreen app.
October 1-31, 2026
Universities unite for measurable climate action
GetGreen's multi-university sustainability challenge brings together 10+ universities with a combined enrollment of more than 250,000 in a large-scale competition to reduce waste, energy use, and emissions across campuses.
Grow campus visibility and culture while tracking progress toward your sustainability goals. Participation is free for universities, thanks to sponsors investing in the next generation of changemakers.
The challenge at a glance
October 1-31, 2026
The competition runs throughout Campus Sustainability Month.
Your whole campus
Open to students, staff, and faculty at participating universities.
Join through GetGreen
Participants download the app, register with a school-issued email, and join through their campus QR code.
Proven campus impact
Results at the University of Washington
A recent GetGreen university program shows what coordinated campus participation can achieve.
400+
users
13,000+
eco-actions
140+
metric tons CO2e averted
Built for campus goals
Why universities participate
- Increase engagement around meaningful climate action
- Support university sustainability and campus goals
- Create friendly competition between schools
- Generate measurable data and impact stories
- Give students an accessible, gamified way to understand their climate impact
Free participation
Sponsor-supported for universities
Program costs are covered by sponsor support, allowing campuses to join and engage their communities at no cost.
Top earners at each school receive prizes from company sponsors, and campuses can add their own local rewards.
Participation timeline
By mid-August
- Confirm participation
- Identify campus contacts and support teams
- Begin communications planning
By early September
- Receive custom QR codes and promotional materials
- Launch campus promotion and student awareness
- Share materials through campus channels
October
- Campus Climate Clash begins
- Participants complete actions and earn Green Leaves
- Schools climb their regional and overall leaderboards
A flexible program for every campus
Customized actions
Universities can add up to 20 actions aligned with campus priorities, local programs, transit, events, recycling, composting, and other sustainability initiatives.
Four competition regions
- Midwest (USA)
- West (USA)
- Southeast (USA)
- Canada
Reporting and insights
Monitor participation, teams, leaderboard standings, Green Leaves earned, CO2e avoided, popular actions, and engagement by category.
Student eco-actions
Actions cover waste reduction, sustainable transportation, energy conservation, campus food choices, recycling, reuse, and sustainability events.
Prizes and recognition
The challenge includes a broader Grand Prize. Campuses can add bookstore gift cards, dining vouchers, sustainable products, and local-business offers.
Promotion support
GetGreen provides promotional materials, campus QR codes, communications guidance, and support for campus outreach.
Program details
Frequently asked questions
Why should our university get involved?
The Campus Climate Clash is a free, interactive way to empower students to take meaningful climate action while supporting institutional sustainability goals. It creates friendly competition, measurable impact data, and accessible, action-based learning.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. Sponsor support covers program costs so participating campuses can engage students at no cost.
What kinds of actions do students complete?
Students complete climate-focused actions in the GetGreen app. Each Green Leaf represents 10 pounds of CO2e avoided. Actions include reducing waste, choosing sustainable transportation, conserving energy, making sustainable food choices, recycling, reusing items, and attending campus sustainability events.
Can universities customize actions?
Yes. Participating universities can submit up to 20 customized actions tied to campus priorities, events, transit programs, recycling and composting systems, or local environmental initiatives.
Is there a web-based version?
The Campus Climate Clash is currently app-based. Students join through a dedicated QR code provided to each participating campus.
How do we track participation and performance?
Universities can monitor participants, team membership, leaderboard standings, Green Leaves, CO2e avoided, popular actions, engagement categories, and waste-reduction metrics through app reporting. Post-challenge impact reporting is also available.
How is student data handled?
The platform collects email addresses and in-app activity related to challenge participation and action completion. That information is used only for participation tracking, reporting, and impact measurement. It is not sold or shared with third parties. Additional security documentation is available to university IT and security teams upon request.
Are there prizes?
Yes. The competition includes a Grand Prize at the broader challenge level. Universities are encouraged to add local campus prizes such as bookstore gift cards, dining vouchers, sustainability-themed products, and offers from local businesses.
What resources will participating schools receive?
GetGreen provides promotional materials, campus QR codes, communications guidance, and program support.
How can we increase student participation?
Successful campuses engage Residence Advisors, run residence or cup competitions, partner with student organizations, promote through sustainability offices, and use several communication channels such as posters, classroom announcements, and social media.
Get started
Bring the 2026 Campus Climate Clash to your university
Tell us about your campus, sustainability goals, and the team that will help lead the challenge.