Making Green Impact on campus
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Southampton Solent University’s ‘Green Impact’ programme has completed its second successful year and the participating staff teams collected their awards on Monday 7 November.
‘Green Impact’ is an environmental accreditation scheme – started by the NUS in partnership with the EAUC - that helps and supports university departments to improve their environmental performance. It covers the whole sustainability agenda - including waste, energy, travel, procurement, and biodiversity. Staff are also encouraged to support charity initiatives and Fairtrade.
This national initiative -currently being undertaken in 40 universities across the country – is a key part of Solent University's drive to raise environmental awareness, reduce carbon emissions and promote positive sustainable change.
The scheme is launched at the start of each academic year amongst staff members. Between November and March teams action green initiatives within their faculties and services - such as using recycled paper, reducing energy usage, and promoting sustainable forms of transport . These are then audited and assigned the appropriate award.
In 2010/11, 15 teams from Solent University participated in the scheme, each achieving their green credentials, with one gold winner, five silvers and nine bronze awards.
Solent University’s Environmental and Sustainability Manager, Martin Walton, says: "Green Impact has been a great success in raising environmental awareness and promoting positive sustainable change throughout the University.
“Staff and students have participated enthusiastically and there is a real sense of achievement and wanting to make a difference.”
Plans are already in place to encourage even more teams from within the University to take part in Green Impact 2011/12 and further the environmental improvements being made at the university.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040
In 2008/9 Green Impact was piloted at the University of Bristol. Following the success of the scheme there it expanded to 22 Universities in the following year including Southampton Solent. 35 Universities and Colleges took part in 2010/11 and this academic year a further 11 institutions have joined the scheme.