Sustainability

University of Edinburgh named ‘Sustainability Institution of the Year’

The University of Edinburgh received the Sustainability Institution of the Year Award 2018 in the internationally acclaimed Green Gown Awards. This was awarded for the continuous work to adopt a whole institution approach and become a more socially responsible and sustainable university.

Green Gown Awards 2018 Winner graphic

 The efforts of our staff, students and partnership working are essential to deliver the programmes that will ensure we achieve our vision of being a socially responsible and sustainable university. Public recognition provides us with an opportunity to celebrate their enthusiasm and hard work.

Professor Lesley McAraAssistant Principal Community Relations

Sustainability Institution of the Year 2018

The award symbolises efforts from across the whole of the University, not just our work in the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

Our shared ‘whole institution approach’ is demonstrated throughout the University, from the Strategic Plan, through to the experience of individual staff and students championing sustainability through their work and studies.

Some examples of the great work happening across the University include:

  • Development and Alumni: inspiring the alumni community to make pledges for planetary health
  • Sport and Exercise: successfully trialed eco-friendly products, which will be rolled out across all of the Central Area campus
  • Edinburgh Futures Institute's Living Labs programme: building links between the University and the city to facilitate ‘research in the wild’

 

We’re thrilled to receive this award - on behalf of the many staff, students, alumni and partners who have worked so hard to deliver a positive impact for society. It means a great deal to us to have our efforts recognised - but we all need to do more to tackle climate change, social disadvantage, and inequality - and show in practice why what is good for society is good for universities

Dave GormanDirector of Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Representatives of the University of Edinburgh celebrating at the Green Gown Awards 2018

The Green Gown Awards

Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards UK and Ireland recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors are undertaking across the UK and Ireland as the education sector leads a path to efficiency, employability and better quality of life for us all.

In addition to winning 'Sustainability Institution of the Year', the University of Edinburgh was also highly commended for ‘Outstanding Leadership Team of the Year’.

 

Find out more about what our Department does

Find out what action students can take to be more sustainable

Find out what action staff can take to be more sustainable