Durham is shortlisted as a Sustainability Institution of the Year in the Green Gown Awards 2024.
The Green Gown Awards, a prestigious accolade for universities and colleges that showcase exceptional sustainability achievements, has shortlisted Durham University as a finalist in the Sustainability Institution of the Year category for 2024. This recognition highlights Durham's commitment to environmental and social responsibility and its strategic, whole-institution approach to sustainability.
Sustainability at the Heart of Durham University
Durham University's sustainability efforts extend beyond the classroom, encompassing estate management, operations, research, teaching, and curriculum development. The university is actively working to minimize its environmental impact and address the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation.
One of the university's most notable initiatives is the installation of over 525 kW of solar panels across its estate. These solar panels can be found at Maiden Castle, Stephenson College, Josephine Butler College, Collingwood College, and Hatfield College, contributing to a greener and more sustainable campus.
In addition, Durham University has replaced over 20 diesel vans with electric vehicles, reducing air quality impact in Durham City and cutting down on diesel consumption for estate services.
Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation
Sustainability at Durham University goes beyond reducing carbon emissions. The university is also dedicated to protecting and enhancing its ancient woodlands, restoring and creating new wetlands, and adding more native wildflowers to its annually mown grasslands. This effort has resulted in the university converting 9 hectares of grassland to annually mown meadow, increasing plant richness and attracting Buzzards to breed in Durham City for the first time in at least 200 years.
Moreover, Durham University has planted out thousands of native wildflower plants, including two locally extinct wetland species, as part of its biodiversity strategy. The university's efforts have not gone unnoticed, as it recently achieved the Platinum Hedgehog Friendly Campus Award 2024 and completed a full biodiversity net gain account of 1000 land parcels across its estate.
A Focus on Student Participation and Research
Student participation is a key driver in Durham University's response to climate change. The university is committed to equipping each cohort with skills for a changing world, preparing graduates to contribute positively to sustainability.
Durham University is also committed to excellence in sustainability research, allocating £18m from the Strategic Research Fund to 4 large-scale, interdisciplinary sustainability research projects.
The university's strategic approach to decarbonising heat across most of the University campus outlines how it would reach its net zero target and reduce emissions by about 8,000 tCO2 per year if delivered in full.
Durham University's Sustainability Ambition
Durham University's Sustainability Ambition Statement outlines its intentions to drive sustainability through operations, curriculum, and research. The statement includes ambitious net zero targets for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and biodiversity net gain.
The project entitled "Turning Sustainability Ambition into Action" is the reason for Durham University's nomination for the Green Gown Awards. This project demonstrates Durham's commitment to integrating sustainability into its operations and academic work, reinforcing its reputation as a university actively contributing to environmental progress and responsible development.
As the Green Gown Awards ceremony approaches, the Durham University community eagerly awaits the announcement of the winners. Regardless of the outcome, Durham University's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is clear, and its efforts serve as an inspiration for other universities and institutions to follow suit.
- Durham University's dedication to sustainability also extends to its lifestyle and home-and-garden practices, as they have restored and created new wetlands, added native wildflowers to annually mown grasslands, and even converted 9 hectares of grassland to annually mown meadow.
- In the realm of student participation and research, Durham University's ambition for sustainable living is evident in its strategic approach to decarbonising heat across most of the University campus and the allocation of £18m from the Strategic Research Fund to 4 large-scale, interdisciplinary sustainability research projects.
