Sustainability

2020 news

Social responsibility and sustainability news from 2020.

Q1 highlights for 2020/21

The Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) facilitates programmes to catalyse action and collaboration across campus for impact.

Five ways the University is making food more sustainable

 Edinburgh Food Social
From sourcing high-quality ingredients to decreasing waste, the University has been working hard to make its food and drink more socially responsible and sustainable. Here are some highlights from 2019-20.

University invests £5 million in green projects

The University has invested £5 million in green projects after becoming the first university in the UK to sign up to HSBC’s new green deposits programme.

University supports social enterprises in Scotland

Nineteen social enterprises in Scotland received investment, support and mentorship from a socially responsible lending scheme co-funded by the University of Edinburgh.

The IT Reuse project is back in action

IT reuse project 2020 new space
We are all set up to redistribute IT to those who need it in the University and local community.

University unveils new solar farm

Two people standing in front of ground-mounted solar panels
A solar farm that will play a vital role in helping the University of Edinburgh become carbon neutral by 2040 is nearing completion.

Q4 highlights for 2019/20

SRS Programmes Q4 highlights 2019-20
The Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) facilitates programmes to catalyse action and collaboration across campus for impact.

Students: share your experience of working with us!

We're asking students who've taken part in our department's projects to record a short video about their experience.

Read the University's new Social and Civic Responsibility plan

Civic Responsibility icon - hand with a world floating above it
Social and Civic Responsibility is one of the four areas of focus in Strategy 2030. Find out what it means and what the University is doing to have a positive impact on society.

Volunteers needed to help map green spaces

The University of Edinburgh is looking for volunteers to test a greenspace mapping app on their smartphones.

Tackling systemic racism: a statement from the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability

For the world to become a more socially responsible and sustainable place, systemic racism and inequality must end.
For the world to become a more socially responsible and sustainable place, systemic racism and inequality must end. Find out what the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability will do to tackle racism and racial inequality through our work and ensure the voices of minority ethnic people are amplified within the sustainability movement.

University-supported project will help local green spaces thrive

A collaboration between The City of Edinburgh Council, the University of Edinburgh and other local partners will enhance green spaces for the benefit of local people and the environment.

Sustainability Champions share their success stories

Photos of Sustainability Champions
Sustainability Champions share actions they're taking to embed sustainability at the University. Actions include spreading the word about sustainability, planting wildflowers, promoting food growing, and tackling waste in a multitude of ways.

Q3 highlights for 2019/20

19-20 Quarter 3 Social Responsibility and Sustainability highlights
The Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) facilitates programmes to catalyse action and collaboration across campus for impact.

Sustainability Champions: call for case studies (chance to win a £20 Eco Larder voucher!) - closed

Sustainability Champions banner - two hands either side of earth, with Sustainable Development Goal colours
Show off how you are going above and beyond, and help other Sustainability Champions to replicate your ideas when we're back on campus by creating a short case study!

Top 10 highlights from our Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report 2018-19

Top 10
We're excited to reveal our top 10 highlights of the great work students and staff have been doing to make Edinburgh a more socially responsible and sustainable university in 2018-19.

Edinburgh ranked 30th in the world in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

University of Edinburgh ranked 30th in Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2020
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings assesses the social, environmental and economic impact of universities based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Student Project Grant: 2019 recipients

We are delighted to announce the winners of the SRS Student Project Grant for 2019.

University becomes test-bed for low carbon innovation in construction

New collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector aims to accelerate Scotland's transition to a low carbon economy by focusing on innovation in construction and the built environment.

Funding and support available for social enterprises to take part in Edinburgh Food Festival

Share your impact and food or drink products with the Edinburgh Food Festival
The University of Edinburgh has partnered with Social Investment Scotland and Assembly to share an opportunity for food and drink-based social enterprises to be part of the Edinburgh Food Festival.

Edinburgh students recognised at Environmental Enterprise Programme Awards

The Environmental Enterprise Placement Awards celebrate the achievements of students and graduates within businesses across Scotland.

2019-20 Sustainability Awards recipients

Sustainability awards logo
This year, we're celebrating winners of the 2019-20 Sustainability Awards online. Congratulations to all of the recipients in each category for their hard work to embed sustainability into their areas of the University and beyond.