Going for green

The University of St Andrews is to launch a cutting-edge environmental development programme for its staff.

The eighteen month initiative is thought to be one of the most progressive environmental staff development programmes in the UK HE sector.

Already committed to promoting sustainable development – including the launch of the first ever degree in the subject – St Andrews hopes to help its staff come together to tackle its collective carbon footprint.

The latest initiative, ‘Passport to Environmental Excellence’, is part of a major effort to influence a change in behaviour amongst University staff. It forms part of a comprehensive three-part strategy to reduce carbon emissions at the University.

The strategy comprises a £1.7 M energy reductions investment fund (the largest in the UK HE sector) and renewable energy projects such as the proposed wind farm at Kenly and the proposed energy centre at Guardbridge. The third strand consists of a range of behaviour change projects aimed at reducing energy consumption of staff and students, including the Passport to Excellence and Transition University of St Andrews.

The Passport to Environmental Excellence will equip staff with the skills to understand how they can make a difference to environmental issues. The programme is the result of a collaboration of units across the University and has the support of the Carbon Trust. The new initiative underpins one of the key objectives of the University’s 600th Anniversary to protect and sustain life on earth.

Cat Wilson, Head of Organisational Development, commented, “Our development programme will help train staff with skills to reduce energy consumption in the workplace, as well as address waste, travel, water consumption and sustainable purchasing, and how to motivate and support colleagues in making changes themselves. We are very excited by this innovative new development programme.”

Sustainability Intern Lucy Arndt, added, “The Passport adds another dimension to an already first class approach to reducing our carbon footprint and actively involves many people across the University community in tackling energy consumption.”

The programme will be launched today (Tuesday 28 February 2012) with briefing sessions and a Top-Gear style green driving competition on an eco-driving simulator.

ENDS

Note to Editors

For further information contact Lucy Arndt on 07515 010 710.

Note to Picture Editors

The initiative will be launched today during the University’s Green Week (25 February – 2 March). The Environmental Team will be available for photographs at 1.30pm today at a Top Gear style driving competition at the Gateway Building, North Haugh, St Andrews.

Issued by the University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Communications Manager on 01334 467227, email [email protected]
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