Climate week is a national event which looks to promote changes in attitudes towards sustainability. The Sustainability Team here at Newcastle University took part in this important week by interacting with students on campus and arranging events which would raise awareness of the week.

On the Monday we organised a debate in co-operation with the University’s Debating Society which looked to discuss whether or not making sustainability part of primary and secondary schools curriculum is a potential option. The people who turned up enjoyed an interesting debate with some very interesting points raised. We all had different opinions on the main question but we all went home realising the sheer importance of sustainability and we all agreed that more needs to be done!

Both Tuesday and Thursday saw local and ethical food being sold from the Students Union by our friends at Planet and People and Wednesday afternoon was spent planting flowers to increase the biodiversity around campus by the Conservation Society.
Away from the organised events of the week, our interns Dale and Fiona took to walking around campus asking students why they thought sustainability was important. It certainly made a few people think about sustainability in a new light! Some fantastic answers from students were photographed and uploaded on to our Facebook page.

Climate Week is just one of many sustainability themed events which goes on throughout the year and we will certainly be taken part in more! Climate Week doesn’t just last a week, its message and lessons will change attitudes and lead us to a more sustainable future.
The Sustainability Team.

Living in halls? Interested in climate change, campaigning or marketing?

We’re offering you the opportunity to boost your CV with some volunteer training with Student Switch Off.

Register here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NewcastleSSO2012

& Come along next Tuesday (23rd) to the Bamburgh Room in the King’s Road Centre to find out more and pick up your FREE lunch and volunteer T-Shirt. Sessions are running 12.05-12.50pm and 1.05-1.50pm.

To see more about Student Switch Off visit the Facebook page.

This week the Sustainability Team and Student Switch Off have hit the Societies Fair in style in the form of the Eco-Power Ranger, Sustainability dog and Mr Potato Head!

We had a stand in the Sports Centre alongside all Newcastle University clubs and societies, with our neighbours the lovely GeogSoc and Computer Music Society, and introduced lots of fresh faces to the work that is done on campus to make our University greener.

Our stand was stacked full of freebies including reusable Student Switch Off bags, coupons for Ben & Jerries ice-cream, tasty sweets and some of our funky new badges.

 Over 2 days we spoke to hundreds of students about how they can get involved with the different campaigns and initiatives that are running on campus including Green Impact and Student Switch Off, as well as how they can find out more about the latest news and events. In total over 350 students signed up to support Student Switch Off, the inter-hall energy saving competition that sees the winning hall win a Ben & Jerries party at the end of the year.

 If you missed out and want to hear more check out our webpages at ncl.ac.uk/saveit or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/NUSustainabilityTeam

The Green League Report 2012, published by People and Planet, strives to find a route to achieve a sustainable higher education sector. Particular emphasis falls on the importance of Vice-Chancellors (VC’s) in driving forward sustainability initiatives within their institutions, and thus the sector.

People and Planet called on VC’s to renew their commitment to a greener higher education system by signing The Green Education Declaration, which:

• Welcomes the introduction of sector-wide carbon reductions targets for the higher education sector
• Reaffirms their commitment to achieving institutional carbon reduction targets and sector-wide targets of 43% by 2020
• Commits to integrating education for sustainable development into the curriculum
• Urges the government to work with the sector in developing a strong vision and strategy for a low-carbon sector
• Calls for adequate resourcing to enable the sector’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future

The scheme has experienced early success, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Brink being the first VC in the country to sign the declaration in June 2012. Further pioneers include University of West England and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

 Newcastle University also received a First Class Award from the People and Planet Green League (2012) which assesses the implementation and success of University environmental policies, carbon reduction schemes and ethical performance.

Celebrating success!
The third annual Environment Awards were the highlight of Newcastle University’s ‘Celebrating Success’ event on 31st May 2012. Held in the courtyard, guest, nominees and supporters were wined and dined with sustainable nibbles and offered an opportunity to mingle and share ideas.

Clare Rogers, Director of Estate Support Services, welcomed those in attendance and alongside Professor Chris Brink, Vice Chancellor, acknowledged and praised the efforts of the nominees and the wider university for their invaluable contribution towards reaching the University’s Sustainability targets. Professor Brink then presented prize winners with a leaf shaped award made from recycled glass

Newcastle University is steaming forward with a number of successes being highlighted, namely:

• Achieving a Gold Eco Campus Status (Platinum is on the way…)
• Winning a First Class Award from the People and Planet Green League
• The implementation of various, successful Biodiversity projects by Newcastle’s Sustainability Team
• Launch of the Commonwheels pay per/hr, on-campus, Peugot iOn car share

Awards were presented within the following categories:

Outstanding Individual Contribution– Mr David Walker, Estate Support Services.

David is in control of the Building Science Yard and is responsible for the recycling of old (and not so old) furniture, wooden pallets etc, he works tirelessly, and with enthusiasm, in all weathers, to ensure that we recycle as much as possible. He is also responsible for the operation of the Food Composter, and has worked hard to get it running efficiently and it is producing good quality compost that is so much in demand from local gardeners that he sometimes has to ration it.

Outstanding Group Contribution to reducing the University’s Environmental Impact – this was awarded to the NU Malaysia and IT staff. Dr Vanessa Hammond, Faculty of Medical Sciences Head of Administration received the award on behalf of the winners and John Hogan will be delivering to them in Malaysia later in the year.

In order to support ‘Earth Day’ which is observed on 22th April each year all over the world, the Library and IT Services team at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed), led by Senior Library Manager, Levas Mejus, decided to hold an Earth Day Exhibition on the NUMed campus . The Library staff were responsible for searching and retrieving information from the internet for articles, facts and activities on Earth Day celebration to be display during the exhibition. IT staff were responsible for designing the poster and made some arrangements for the exhibition area.

On Monday, 23rd April 2012, NUMed staff and students were encouraged to dress in “GREEN” to show their support of the Earth Day Celebration. There were gifts for those who came to visit the exhibition. The gifts made from the recycle materials (DIY buttons and bookmarks) and buttons were the favourite gift on the day.

Best Environmental Initiative– “The Big Clear-Out Team” from Accommodation and Hospitality Services scooped this award.

The initiative was to increase awareness in the importance of recycling with International postgraduate Students living in Leazes Terrace and to assist the site in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill in the weekly collections. This has resulted in a 100% increase in mixed recycling on a weekly basis and a reduction of 3 landfill lifts per week. They are keen to promote the importance of the recycling and are always keen to come forward with new ideas.

Green Impact Team Awards – certificates and pot plants were presented to the following teams, who strive to improve the sustainability within their precincts by working through an online workbook to gain award levels for various areas of sustainability (Bronze, Silver, Gold).

• The Estate Support Service Mean Green Impact Machine
• Teamo Verda from the School of Modern Languages
• The Library Green Group
• The Wombles, Leazes Terrace
• King’s Gate Ecoteam
• Merz Court
• ‘The Precinct’ from the School of Geography, Politics & Sociology, Institute of Health & Society Ecoteam and Devonshire Building Ecoteam

And last, but not least… Student Intern Awards were received by Hannah Howarth, Hannah Wright, Jennifer Lowery, Jonathan Kidd and Lisa Crossey.

Student Interns work alongside Newcastle Univerisity’s Sustainability Team and work on a variety of projects including: monitoring and checking environmental procedures, creating an easily accessible Environmental Policy document, developing communication materials for recycling campaigns, improving the team’s social media presence and assisting with development of a paper reduction campaign.

After a wonderful ceremony, enjoyed by all, the fourth annual Environment Awards (2013) promises to be an event to look forward to.