Cash boost for green group
A University-based initiative committed to promoting sustainable practice has been awarded funding worth £339,000.
Transition Edinburgh University was granted the money from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.
Collaborative effort
The project is a collaborative venture between staff and students.
It was initiated by student society People and Planet following an initial Scottish Government grant of £18,000 for a feasibility study.
It seeks to engage the University community in its bid to cut the University’s carbon emissions by 10 per cent by 2010.
Six members of staff will be employed to help the University meet this target.
A programme of action
The group will use a range of activities to encourage individuals to assess where carbon emissions can be cut from their lifestyles.
These include:
- a student accommodation energy-saving competition
- peer-learning programmes exploring behaviour change
- a 'Big Green Makeover' for student and staff homes
- a ‘free shop’ to encourage recycling and reduce waste and consumption
- a green ‘Dragons’ Den’-style competition
- promotion of sustainable travel and food choices
- awareness-raising public events and Go Green weeks.
Scientists, civil society groups, and now Government ministers have outlined ambitious but necessary targets to tackle climate change. This grant helps Transition Edinburgh University make a just, green transition happen now with positive collective action.
Photo credit: Stephen Woroniecki