Sustainability department launched

The University has officially launched the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

Professor Mary Bownes, Senior Vice-Principal External Engagement, opened the new department at the University’s annual Sustainability Awards ceremony at Teviot House, where 35 awards were announced.

While the University can rightly be proud of its achievements, we need structures for the management and governance of social responsibility and sustainability. It’s my pleasure to announce today the formal opening of this department.

First of its kind

Edinburgh is the first university in the UK to have a Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

The department is responsible for promoting and embedding sustainable practices within the University, including energy efficiency, recycling and ethical investment and procurement.

It also works to provide expert advice and support for students, academics and support staff.

Sustainability Awards

The Sustainability Awards are run jointly by the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability and Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA).

They recognise individuals, groups, offices and laboratories for their work to improve sustainability.

Among 15 Gold Award winners was Printing Services, which has won gold in each of the four years the awards have been running.

Other highlights include:

• Best Energy Saving Idea Award: the Roslin Institute, for its innovation to reduce the power consumption of its refrigeration equipment;
• Innovation Award: “ACT! A Festival for Social Change”, a student-run event that attracted more than 400 people in March;
• Cutting Carbon Footprint Award: Stewart Anderson, Edinburgh Research and Innovation, for a Microsoft Outlook plugin that calculates the most sustainable routes to meetings;
• Outstanding Personal Contribution Awards: Heather Anderson and Marie Craigton of the Chancellor’s Building team, the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, and John Turpin of Estates & Buildings’ Landscaping office.