Green Gown Awards 2018 - Manchester Metropolitan University - Finalist

Since the appointment of our Head of Environmental Sustainability in 2007, to our current number one standing in the People & Planet University League, Manchester Met’s commitment to sustainable development has been characterised by innovation, integration and embedding understanding and action across the whole University.

From the green technologies at Birley Campus to our international travel compensation scheme, developing Smart City technologies through the EU-funded Triangulum project to our students donating unwanted items to raise over £1.3m for charity, sustainability is at the fore.

We were the first University to achieve the 2015 version of ISO14001, the first to report to GRI standards and the first to run Carbon Literacy training for students, staff and the local community. Our commitment to sustainable development is not an add-on, something to be ticked off a list; it’s at the very heart of our University.

Top 3 learnings:

1. Get the right people to lead the projects, forming partnerships right across the University (and beyond) – it’s the best way to get the best results and highest engagement.

2. Volunteer to be involved in pilot schemes and join initiatives early. Manchester Met has many firsts’ – if you’re there at the start you can help to shape initiatives and demonstrate true leadership.

3. Strong leadership and governance is critical to support and implement a strategy for sustainable development, and to ensure resources are in place to take action.

CO2t savings 2017/2018: 8,462tns, -38% reduction (scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions) (Estimated) 

CO2t savings 2018/2019: 13,301tns, -40% reduction (scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions) (Estimated)    

CO2t savings over the life cycle of the project: 7,599tns (scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions)  (Actual 2016/17)