‘Green’ appointment for university

The University of St Andrews has underlined its commitment to being ‘green’ by appointing its first Environment Manager.

Inga Moncrieff, an Environmental Management graduate from Orkney, will have overall responsibility for the University’s energy and environmental management systems.

Miss Moncrieff will be supported by the University’s Management Group and her wide remit will include raising awareness of environmental issues, establishing a baseline for future improvement and the implementation of the University’s travel plan.

The University is committed to ensuring that it can make continual improvements to reduce the level of impact on the environment – and part of Miss Moncrieff’s role will be to develop an understanding of the potential impacts that can occur and provide a baseline for future improvements. Such suggestions will cover a range of issues from energy to biodiversity and will assist in defining the policies of the University and the development of future strategies. Miss Moncrieff’s role will also involve partnering with other organisations to promote environmental initiatives.

“It is an honour to have joined such an established University, and I would hope that through continual awareness and communication with both staff and students, I can encourage the entire University community to take more responsibility for their actions and create a range of new initiatives for the long-term benefit of the institution and the environment,” said Miss Moncrieff.

Over the last 4 years, the University has made significant progress in improving its efficiency in relation to energy consumption, and through undertaking an assessment of the progress made, it will be possible to identify further opportunities for improving efficiency throughout the University.

As part of an ongoing commitment to Forum for the Future, the University will launch a new first year module on Sustainable Development in the second semester of session 2002-03. In bringing together contributions from the Schools of Geography and Geosciences, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, International Relations, Divinity and History, the module will reflect the great breadth and relevance of sustainability concepts at local, national and global levels in today’s world.

Miss Moncrieff will embark on a programme of communication which will encompass various awareness raising schemes, with the aim of promoting environmentally sound practice. Possible promotions will include car sharing, ‘car free’ days and cycle weeks – ways of encouraging staff and students to arrive at work/study in a more environmentally-friendly manner.

David Loudon, Director of the University’s Estates and Buildings Office, said, “Owing to the nature of our business operations, the University is a significant consumer of scarce natural resources and therefore we aim to embrace best practice where possible in energy and environmental management. The appointment of an Environment Manager is an important step towards our objectives and we are confident that Miss Moncrieff will make a sustainable contribution to the institution’s success.”

Miss Moncrieff graduated with an Honours degree in Environmental Biology from Napier University in 1998, and obtained her MSc Environmental Management from Stirling University in 1999.

Prior to her appointment with the University, Miss Moncrieff spent 9 months developing an Environmental Management System for Andrew Ltd based in Lochgelly, Fife for which they gained accreditation to the international standard for Environmental Management Systems. She went on to work for Wren & Bell, a Structural and Civil Environmental Consultancy based in Edinburgh gaining experience in a range of areas including environmental, quality and health and safety management systems, environmental auditing and assessments, sustainable construction and training.

ENDS

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: Inga appt piece 050802.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk