Green Gown Awards 2015 – Student Engagement - University of St Andrews - Highly Commended

Transition University St Andrews

A coalition of students, staff and local residents have come together under the Transition Town banner to undertake a range of sustainability projects tackling climate change and building local resilience.

This year has seen a massive increase in activity with their edible campus project expanding to 13 sites harvesting over 600kg of veg, their re-use project diverting over 1.2 tonnes of household goods from landfill, their local currency engaging over 100 people in trading across the town, whilst their behaviour change work, headed by the largest carbon conversations team in the country, has led to broad action within the home and halls of residence. 

They have also instigated the establishment of Scotland’s first all-electric car club and organised Scotland’s “Transition Towns” conference. Over 3,000 people each year have been engaged across energy, travel, food, economy and behaviour change saving 1104 tCO2e whilst supporting academic study and institutional change.

Top 3 learnings

1 We found by involving as broad a range of people as possible you can share resources, knowledge and build capacity that is essential to long term success for many projects

2 Links to the national Transition Town network has provided excellent opportunities for training and learning whilst giving strength to our communication

3 Regular Open Forums to plan and initiate projects provide an excellent space to engage new recruits whilst re-energising existing members.

Videos

• Transition University St Andrews (click to hide)