Green Gown Awards 2015 – Continuous Improvement - Durham University - Winner

Greenspace – branding the message ‘Every small step leads to big change’

In order to bring all of Durham University’s environmental initiatives and activities together, the name and concept of ‘Greenspace’ was devised in 2010. Greenspace is the face for environmental sustainability at Durham University.

The idea behind the brand is to make all environmental messages strong, focussed and instantly recognisable. Greenspace, however, is more than just a brand – it is a vehicle for change in all areas of the University’s Environmental Sustainability Policy. It is used as a driver to enhance and embed environmental sustainability and to promote positive environmental behaviour at all levels within the University - individual, group and institutional. It continues to show behavioural change improvements across the University since its inception in 2010.

The Greenspace motto is ‘Every small step leads to big change’.

Top 3 learnings

1 Consistency – our brand makes all environmental messages strong, focussed and instantly recognisable

2 Engagement – the most powerful tool at your disposal is staff and student support. Engage at all levels in a consistent and structured way

3 Keep trying – if at first you don’t achieve your aim, try and try again.