Green Gown Awards 2014 - Continuous Improvement - University of Strathclyde - Winner

Sustainable Strathclyde: A Sustainable Success Story

The University of Strathclyde is committed to ensuring its students make a useful and positive contribution to social and environmental challenges, locally and globally. This aim is embodied in its research and curriculum, and demonstrated through the University’s operational and management practices. The Sustainable Strathclyde Strategy sets out a challenging vision; by being bold, imaginative and innovative, it aims to be an exemplar sustainable Higher Education institution.

The University’s Zero Carbon strategy will achieve a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2015; it aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. The University’s Zero Waste strategy achieves 100% diversion from landfill and a recycling rate of 90%.

The University has reduced waste mass per FTE by 22%. Its Sustainable Travel Strategy has driven SOV rates below 20%. Strong trans-departmental relationship-building has enabled implementation teams which cut across traditional institutional boundaries. More than 20 student-led Estate projects are integrated into MSc. curriculum.

Top 3 learnings

1 Our highly successful energy strategy is the result of strong partnerships with FE, Local Authority and social housing community partners.
2 Our focus on engaging senior staff has allowed individual departments to internalise and take ownership of potentially contentious infrastructure changes. Our strong people network enabled long standing challenges to be collaboratively addressed.
3 Student support is critical; curriculum linked ‘living laboratory’ projects are essential to delivering engagement as well as facilities strategies.

What the judges say ...

The judges recognised the scale of progress made with comparitively few resources. The progress in operational achievements was complemented by academic sustainability initiatives and societel outreach.

What it means to win ...

“On behalf of the University community, I am delighted Strathclyde has won this prestigious award which recognises the significant achievements delivered through our Sustainable Strathclyde Strategy. This award recognises the hard work of the entire university community.”

Dean Drobot, Energy and Environment Manager

Videos

• Sustainable Strathclyde: A Sustainable Success Story (click to hide)