City of Glasgow College has reached the finals of the Green Gown Awards 2020.
The awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives undertaken by colleges and universities across the UK and Ireland.
City of Glasgow is one of only three Scottish colleges to be shortlisted with final entries in two categories; Campus Health Food and Drink, and Enterprise.
Fergal McCauley, Head of Facilities Management at the college, and founder of its Environmental Sustainability Working Group, said:
“We’re delighted to be shortlisted in the Campus Health Food and Drink category.
“Sustainable food and drink play an important part in our college curriculum, our buildings, and to our staff and students. In the last four years we have undertaken a variety of initiatives to ensure sustainability is embedded into all that we do. Most recently we invested in equipment that will allow us to compost an estimated 26 tonnes of food waste per year on site.”
Lisa McGovern, Curriculum Head for Craft and Design at City of Glasgow College is thrilled that the college is in the enterprise category for sustainability in making. She said:
“We have a crucial role to play as educators in teaching future learners about sustainability and climate change within enterprise. Our jewellery department implemented changes to our curriculum to include ethical theory and practice.
“Our aim is to enable our students to design jewellery, not only as beautiful objects, but to use their work as a multi-faceted platform to inform society. As a result of sourcing ethical precious metals, and using safer chemicals, we are significantly reducing our carbon footprint while supporting communities in Fairtrade zones.”
The Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland emphasise the role which the further and higher education sector plays in enabling and empowering young people to tackle pressing global issues to ensure they have a better tomorrow. The winners will be announced in March or April 2021.