National environment awards for Nottingham Trent University's green spaces

17th August 2016

Three national environment awards have been won by Nottingham Trent University for the quality of its green spaces at the Green Apple Awards 2016.

The environment team collected two ‘golden trowels’, and a bronze award for green projects across the university.

Celebrating built environment and architectural heritage, the university was recognised for its green spaces, energy saving commitments and the newly developed eco-friendly Pavilion on the Clifton campus.

The awards recognise environmental projects at businesses and organisations from around the world – with Nottingham Trent University being the only UK university to receive awards.

The Pavilion became the university’s first carbon negative building, using an array of solar panels, energy efficient glazing, natural light and insulation, the building – which acts as study and leisure space for students – is the first on campus to produce more energy than it needs to run.

The university also collected awards for two green spaces, as part of its ‘Greening the City’ plan, which aims to transform ten urban areas into outdoor, eco-friendly spaces for students and staff.

Boots Library rooftop garden and the Dryden Centre’s corner garden on the university’s City site picked up the awards for their sustainable credentials.

Providing a study space for students, the rooftop garden was built with sustainable wood and recycled plastics, sourced from sustainably managed forests. The green roof also helps to insulate and protect the building from floods.

Based on a design by graduate and Chelsea Flower Show gold-award winning medallist Jackie Setchfield, the Dryden Centre corner garden uses bee-friendly plants and sustainable wood to further protect the environment.

The awards were collected by university staff at one of the world’s most sustainable buildings; The Crystal in London, and the university will now have the opportunity to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment.

Grant Anderson, environmental manager at Nottingham Trent University, said: “We are proud to have been the only university chosen for awards, and we were delighted to bring three accolades home to Nottingham.

“Our carbon negative rating for the Pavilion and plan for more green spaces shows how committed the university is to protecting the environment and, ensuring we are not adding to our carbon footprint.

“The team had a fantastic day at the awards in the capital, meeting and competing with some of the leading luminaries from the environmental world.”