Green Gown Awards 2015 – Continuous Improvement - University of Brighton - Finalist

Institutional ‘c-change’ for sustainability

Since 2007 the university has been addressing sustainability across the whole institution; sustainability is cited in the Strategic Plan as a core value of the University.

Over the past 5 years, the university has set up a Carbon Management Programme Board, and established a sizable Environmental Team. The University has also developed the ‘c-change’ campaign, an award winning bespoke behaviour change campaign for sustainability related engagement focused on embedding sustainable habits for staff and students.

During this time the University has adopted a number of new sustainability related policies, covering Ethical Investment, Sustainable Food, Sustainable Procurement, and Biodiversity, as well as Carbon Management and Sustainable Travel Plans.

Among other projects, carbon emissions from academic buildings have reduced, recycling rates have increased significantly, and hundreds of students in halls now donate unwanted items to charity at the end of the academic year.

Top 3 learnings

1 Having Senior Management support at the University of Brighton has enabled sustainability to be embedded into our core principles

2 Setting and pursuing ambitious targets has driven institutional change across the university

3 Having an engaging, recognisable campaign, like c-change, is key for engagement from staff and students, particularly at a multi-campus university. 

Videos

• Institutional ‘c-change’ for sustainability (click to hide)