The University has been recognised for its sustainable food and drink policy and its reporting of sustainability.
The University of Cambridge won in two categories at the 2017 Green Gown Awards, which are organised by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges.
The first award was in the ‘Food and Drink’ category. The University was recognised for its Sustainable Food Policy, launched in February 2017 following collaboration between the University’s Catering Service and its Environment & Energy section, and drawing on academic expertise from a number of University departments too. The collaboration led to a ground-breaking focus on ‘making the right choice easy’ – providing and promoting tasty food that is better for the environment. The bold policy included a decision to remove ruminant meat from menus and to actively promote vegetarian and vegan options.
The judges of the category fed back that they were impressed with the bold decision taken, the way that research had influenced policy and how the policy had been implemented. Professor Ian Leslie, senior adviser to the Vice-Chancellor with special responsibility for environmental sustainability said: “We are delighted to win this award which recognises the fantastic work that has gone into developing and implementing our Sustainable Food Policy. The University of Cambridge is committed to making a positive impact through outstanding environmental sustainability performance, and this is just one area where we are making great strides.”
The University also won in the ‘Sustainability Reporting’ category. The first annual Environmental Sustainability Report, published in 2016, provided an overview of progress against the aims and targets set in the University’s Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy, published in 2015. Regularly reporting progress against sustainability targets is part of the University’s commitment to ‘making a positive impact through outstanding environmental sustainability performance’, The judges of the category commended the transparent reporting that included reasons for both positive and negative performance, and fed back that the “strong report” has a good forward-looking sustainability vision which is clearly integrated into the University’s overall strategy.
Professor Leslie said: “We are delighted to win this Award. Being recognised for our Environmental Sustainability Report shows to our staff, students and others in the sector that we are keen to share our progress, and our lessons learned, on our journey towards outstanding environmental sustainability performance.”
To learn more about what the University does to be environmentally sustainable, and to get involved, please visit the Environment and Energy pages.