Green Gown Awards 2014 - Continuous Improvement - Keele University - Highly Commended

Greening Keele through hearts and minds: embedding sustainability in everything we do

Keele’s growth in sustainability activity has been astronomical, fuelled by dedicated high-level support, incredible local-level passion and engagement, and collegial partnership working.

Developments cover waste and carbon reductions, curriculum, community and schools outreach, biodiversity and land use, and student-led projects, all characterised by strong partnerships and a genuine desire to drive change, at all levels.

Keele University knows being able to make decisions and see the world through a sustainability lens cannot happen just through rules and regulations. It encourages individuals to spark ideas in their own field of work, and support these individuals to develop relevant projects, with strong high-level support breaking down barriers to make these a reality.

Keele’s approach is to empower individuals to drive positive change where it matters to them, producing change across the whole institution. Gradually over the years at Keele, this organic method has produced results ofwhich it is incredibly proud.

What the judges say ...

The judges were impressed by the strong leadership and institutional commitment to the initiative and commended the high level of activity. In particular, they commended the engagement with schools.

What it means to win ...

“This award demonstrates the commitment and support to sustainability at a strategic level,
and how we have turned this into results that can be seen across the whole campus in many diverse ways. It demonstrates how hearts and minds can be won at all levels to create genuine and lasting change.”

Professor Nick Foskett, Vice-Chancellor

Videos

• Greening Keele through hearts and minds: embedding sustainability in everything we do (click to hide)