Press release
QMU signs up to climate change commitment
The Scottish university which leads the education sector in sustainable design has today (24 th February) signed up to a climate change commitment.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, much admired for its impressive new sustainable campus, has signed up to the Universities and Colleges Climate Change Commitment (UCCC) which ties the University to a five year measurable environmental action plan.
Professor Anthony Cohen, Principal of Queen Margaret University, explained: “ Queen Margaret University obviously recognises the serious challenges presented by climate change and it impact on our economy, society and environment. The Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment for Scotland provides us with a framework for addressing those challenges and contributing to the Scottish Government's ambitious targets for tackling climate change and creating a prosperous, low carbon, sustainable Scotland.
“ We have made determined efforts to design a sustainable campus. Concern for the environment must now become a key consideration across all of our activity. This Commitment obliges us to publish a five year climate change action plan within the next twelve months, which will include measurable targets and timescales to achieve a significant reduction in emissions from all business operations and activities.”
The Climate Commitment was signed by Professor Anthony Cohen, Principal and Professor Ian Percy, Chairman of Queen Margaret University in the presence of Robin Harper, MSP and members of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC ) Scotland, the sustainability champion for universities and colleges.
Robin Harper, MSP Green Party, said: “The building is stunning, an exemplar for the best in educational architecture in Scotland and a paradigm for future developments. The efficiencies in these buildings are all built in and this is how to do it. I congratulate the University on their new campus and their commitment to tackling climate change."
Underpinning the Commitment will be a package of support delivered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), now based at Queen Margaret University. In response to the University's decision to sign the Commitment, Andrew Chamberlain from EAUC Scotland, said: "Universities and colleges have a key role to play in promoting sustainable development: Through their primary role as educators and researchers, institutions have the potential to make an invaluable contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. As owners and operators of complex estates, universities and colleges can lead on the delivery of sustainable low carbon 21 st century campuses; and as the focus of many local communities, institutions can influence wider community and social initiatives. Queen Margaret University is recognised as a sector leader in sustainable development and it comes as no surprise that they have agreed to sign the Commitment."
ENDS
Notes to Editor
(1) Queen Margaret University will commit to measureable targets to achieve a significant reduction in emissions across its business operations in the following areas:
- energy consumption and source
- waste reduction, recycling and responsible disposal
- sustainable estate development
- sustainable travel planning
- responsible procurement of goods and services
(2) EAUC, the sustainability champion for universities and colleges, provides members across the UK with training, advice and support, and a forum for sharing best practice. Queen Margaret University’s new campus in Musselburgh is now home to the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC ) Scotland.
For further media information please contact Lynne Russell, Press and PR Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, tel: 0131 474 0000, mobile: 07711 011239.
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