Green Gown Awards 2014 - Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change - LSE - Finalist

LSE: sustainability embedded

The London School of Economics (LSE) published its first Environmental Policy in 2005. Since then, the School has come a long way on its journey to embed sustainability in all aspects of the School’s day to day life.

Becoming ISO 14001 certified in 2012, the School has achieved zero waste to landfill, reduced energy intensity per m2 by 19% and has 34 departments actively participating in reducing its environmental impacts. Collaboration between departments has led to sustainability themed lectures and assignments; also the award winning ‘LSE 100’ course, which includes a lesson from Prof Stern on tackling climate change.

At the other end of the spectrum, its Security staff make sure lights are off and windows closed, Maintenance keep sneaking in LED’s at every opportunity, and its Helpdesk handles complex logistics to reuse furniture across campus. Meanwhile staff and students can spend free time gardening and beekeeping on its roofs (the ones without solar panels).

Top 3 learnings

1 Without a systematic approach things fall through the gaps
2 Communications: walk in others’ shoes and talk to everybody
3 There are many methods or management system approaches; what is important is that it has to work for your institution and fit the culture of each institution.

Videos

• LSE: sustainability embedded (click to hide)