The University was the winner in the Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change category of the Green Gown Awards, presented by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC).
The award recognises Strathclyde’s progress in achieving sustainability at the University, including a waste mass reduction of 22% per full-time equivalent staff member and fewer than 20% of road journeys made in vehicles with one occupant. More than 20 student-led estates projects have also been integrated into the MSc curriculum.
Judges praised the progress made and operational achievements which were “complemented by academic sustainability achievements and societal outreach”.
The winners of the awards, which are now in their 10th year, were announced at a ceremony at the University of Manchester.
Stella Matko, Director of Estates Services at Strathclyde, said: “We are delighted to have received a prestigious award which recognises the efforts of our staff, students and University community.
“We are committed to securing sustainability through a range of measures, including recycling, energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions. We are also investing extensively in our estate to deliver sustainability at Strathclyde and this award shows that we are achieving results.” The award submission highlighted the importance in Strathclyde’s energy strategy of work with partners, including local government and the further education and social housing sectors. It also described the role of support from students, including curriculum-linked projects, and a focus on engaging senior staff which enabled individual departments to manage their own infrastructure changes.
EAUC Chief Executive Iain Patton said: “Our finalists show that sustainability can be the catalyst to ensure that institutions achieve high quality student experiences, provide their students with new skill requirements, increase access and give enhanced value for money.”
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University of Strathclyde: ‘Strathclyde wins UK sustainability award‘