Academic awarded for green efforts

An academic at the University of St Andrews has been named as one of Scotland’s top ‘green champions’.

Professor Jan Bebbington, Director of the St Andrews Sustainable Institute, featured in the top ten of the first “Scottish Green List”.

Drawn from nominations by the public and developed by The Scottish Sustainable Development Forum, the list recognises the environmental efforts of people throughout the country.

Professor Jan Bebbington is at the forefront of research and advocacy on accountancy and sustainable development, earning her the 9th place in the newly published table.

Her work using accountancy tools to track environmental problems is respected across the world and her research has aided St Andrews University in becoming a leading centre on sustainability.

In addition to her academic research at St Andrews Professor Bebbington also holds a policy role as the Vice-Chairwoman of the Sustainable Development Commission in Scotland.  In this position as the Government’s formal advisor for sustainable development she has led work to advise and scrutinise the work of the Scottish Government, ensuring that the Government can play its part in creating a sustainable world.

Professor Bebbington commented, “Awards of this nature are always about the efforts of more than just one person.  Sitting behind the recognition of the University of St Andrews as an exemplar of sustainable development is a huge team of people including the Principal and her office, the estates team as well as academics from many different Schools.  Many members of staff at the University are using their knowledge and experience to drive forward sustainable development.”

“I have been in the fortunate position to have the opportunity to take my academic knowledge and use that within the policy domain at the Sustainable Development Commission,” she continued.

Top of the list are Mike and Karen Small with the “Fife Diet”, encouraging hundreds of people across Fife and thousands more across the country to eat locally produced food.

Professor James Curran, chairman of the Scottish Development Forum praised all the winners saying, “It is individuals like these that need to be thanked, celebrated, encouraged and supported all across Scotland.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Professor Jan Bebbington is available for interview on Tel: 01334 462348 or email: [email protected]

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, Mobile: 07730 415 015 or Email: [email protected]
Ref:  Prof Bebbington 240409
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