We were delighted to attend the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards Ceremony at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 13 November 2024 as we reached the finals in two categories including Creating Impact and Sustainability Institution of the Year.
In its 20th year, the Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives in the higher and further education sector. Being a finalist for these awards is great recognition of the work we do around sustainability and acknowledgement of our ambitious targets.
We were Highly Commended for our ambitious Biodiversity Strategy, with a target to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain by 2032, showing demonstrable biodiversity benefits, collaborative research opportunities and engagement with local NGOs and regional initiatives.
This category champions institutions who are taking action to promote nature on their campuses, in their operations and teaching and research as well as working in partnership with their local communities. Read more about our Biodiversity Strategy.
We strive to be sustainable and global, which includes finding new ways of developing partnerships, and considering how we travel, locally, nationally and internationally. Everything we do as a large organisation will inevitably affect the environment and we aim to minimise that impact and account for it in our activities. Read more about our sustainability work and ambitions.
This category recognises sustained, whole-institution commitment and impact to becoming a sustainable organisation.
We have streamlined our cleaning product range from 93 to 19 using Odorbac for all our core cleaning operations to improve safety, minimise waste and reduce our carbon footprint. This project demonstrates the power of a well-considered procurement process and effective engagement with user groups. Read more about our Odorbac Initiative.
This category recognises institutions that have achieved significant sustainability-related outcomes, on-campus or within their community, using minimal and/or limited resources.
Our Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU) doctoral training programme has created a team of future leaders in the renewable and sustainable energy fields with excellent scientific, engineering and problem-solving skills.
This category focuses on institutions taking pioneering and innovative steps to embrace the green skills agenda by creating people equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure a transition to a sustainable economy.
We have installed thousands of solar panels across our estate.
Our lowest carbon building includes insulation, powered in part by solar panels and heated by heat pumps.
Tom Bray, Senior Energy Manager and Lisa Blundell, Senior Housekeeping - Cleaning and General Service Manager at the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards Ceremony.
Student Ashley Moran, this year's Co-President of the University Climate Society representing the Sustainability Institution of the Year category at the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards Ceremony.
Colleagues representing the Creating Impact category at the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards Ceremony.
Colleagues representing both award categories at the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards Ceremony.
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