Green Gown Awards 2021: Sustainability Institution of the Year - University of Edinburgh - Finalist

Social and civic responsibility: Addressing the climate crisis and supporting society

The last year has brought into sharp focus the role and responsibilities of universities to support society. As a large organisation, how we do things can have both positive and negative impacts on people and the natural environment near and far. The University’s new Social and Civic Responsibility Plan sets out our plan to increase the positive impact we can have across everything we do, and actively seek to reduce any negative impacts. It sets out our commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and how critical local and global challenges are interconnected.

Staff, students, and alumni have come together as one University community this year to address the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the systemic racism in our society. The University has completed its divestment from fossil fuels, created largest social investment fund of any UK University, launched a new Community Plan, contributed to policy responses and interventions from governments to COVID-19, and established the RACE.ED Hub to bring the University community together to address the issue of racism.

Top 3 learnings:

1. The last year has brought into sharp focus the role and responsibilities of universities to support society.
2. Working in partnership with external partners can maximise the positive impacts universities can have in society.
3. Sustainability, social and civic responsibility are issues that can help bring staff and students together, breaking down institutional silos.