Blogs

During the lockdown period of the coronavirus pandemic we are all adapting to spending more time at home. I have at times felt anxious about my health, financial implications, and future stability of work. I am grateful that I am still able to leave home for essential purchases and participating in daily exercise, and when I do the nature that greets me outside becomes my sanctuary.

It is well established now that Covid-19 is very strongly linked to the loss of biodiversity that is caused by both businesses and individual human activity. In this short article, we introduce Energy from Waste (EfW) as a process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the incineration of waste (Stringfellow, 2014). It could be termed ‘Renewable’ in the sense that waste is always in a constant process of replenishment from human activity.

How do we maintain our work/life balance during this time while continuing to ensure our own and our families well-being? We are delving into the lives of colleagues to find out how they manage just this!

EAUC writes about Earth Day, the roles of universities and colleges in coming to the aid of our ailing planet, and how Covid-19 will impact our Earth moving forwards.

Around the globe, the current pandemic has imposed a new reality that revolves around phrases like: self-isolating, social distancing measures, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), flattening the curve and underlying conditions. An overwhelming new reality has emerged with people asking questions such as: Was I wearing gloves in the supermarket that day? Is this a normal sore throat? Did he/she cough next to me? Have we reached the peak? Is my child coping? Will I lose my job?

As a result of Covid-19 pandemic, world leaders have followed World Health Organization (WHO) advice that social distancing is the solution to prevent the virus from spreading and to our allow National Health Services to save lives. To allow this to happen, businesses have been told to close their doors during the coronavirus outbreak. The question is: have businesses fulfilled their CSR duties?

Life has as we know it entered unprecedented times with the emergence of the Covid-19 virus. Worldwide, organisational operations and individual movements have been restricted, and in some countries these rules are enforced by the police. Governments have taken unprecedented measures to confine movement. The previous unthinkable measures have changed lives drastically but most are complying with the new rules, acknowledging the greater good is to minimise impact and retain health.

Biodiversity is the infrastructure that supports all life. The immense pressure plastics are having on the oceans, along with the disappearance of rainforests, and land clearing for agricultural purposes, have all contributed to biodiversity loss and species extinction. All these issues have resulted in many years of human overexploitation of our planet and are recognised to be causing the sixth extinction period the planet is currently experiencing.

LSE student Harriet Freeman talks about the struggle and surrender involved in running a successful sustainability campaign.

Anika Kovalická, a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) student studying Global Studies and International Relations talks climate change and education.

Academia is closely linked to extensive mobility, meaning attending non-local conferences and meetings and engaging in globalised research amongst other international engagements.

Sonya Peres is the Responsible Institutes Research Intern for EAUC Scotland who has been focusing on their Travel Better package to support universities and colleges to reduce the amount of air travel. During this time, Sonya was prompted to reconsider her own flying habits and has set herself some goals for 2020.

Jon Khoo from Interface, proud supporters of the Green Gown Awards Outstanding Leadership Team of the Year, talks about leadership and facing the Climate Emergency Challenge.

Leading academics from University of Lincoln, LSE, University of Hull and University of Manchester have collaborated on this blog about climate policy change and the role of universities and colleges.

Kerry Cheek, SRS Projects Coordinator reflects on a recent project in which she researched laboratory plastic waste at the University of Edinburgh.

Paul Cusition, Chief Executive and Director at FHE specialist insurance provider UMAL talks about why universities and colleges cannot afford to delay climate change risk assessment and adaptation plans.

Alison Johns, Advance HE CEO, highlights some of the stark statistics about women’s representation in higher education ahead of our Women in HE Conference: Conditions for Change - how can we accelerate change that tackles the treatment and inclusion of women?

EAUC CEO Iain Patton discusses the growing climate emergency movement, and the role of Higher and Further Education within it.

EAUC talks everything Global Climate Strike - who, what, when, where, and most importantly - why!

Zenith UK talks about the sustainability findings in the latest Natwest Student Living Index.

The concept of sustainability may not be on the minds of every university staff member or student, but in light of significant global challenges, universities must do all they can to help protect our planet and those that depend on it for survival. Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability University of Edinburgh, writes for UUK.

Robert McIntyre, Solutions Architect at Tridonic UK Ltd talks about that lightbulb moment with lighting on campuses.

Zoe Williams, Head of Marketing at Selectaglaze tells us about improving the sustainability of a Grade 2 listed building at Birmingham University.

Jenny Jamieson, Policy Officer at the Scottish Funding Council outlines the role EAUC is playing to ensure sustainable development in the education sector.

Transition St Andrews blog from the University of St Andrews. Interview with Daphne Biliouri-Grant, co-ordinator for the ‘Towards a Plastic Free St. Andrews’ initiative.

From Ayrshire College, which is delivering courses to create the next generation of environmentally conscious teachers, to Sutton College, which is working with care homes to tackle the issue of recruitment and high turnover of staff in the care home sector, the initiatives being undertaken by institutions to help secure a sustainable future are increasingly varied.

Pass it on week (9th-17th March 2019) is Scotland's annual celebration of re-use – organisations and individuals join in to get swapping, donating, sharing and repairing to help make things last!

Jennifer Turner, a manager at Protection Supplies, tells us about some sustainable innovations that could well shape construction across campuses.

Carbon Credentials runs through the main reasons Higher and Further Education should be setting Science-Based Targets.

Zoe Williams, Head of Marketing at Selectaglaze tells us about how the company has improved the sustainability of University of Cambridge's prestigious Jesus College.

Our Annual Conference this year was held at Keele University. Sarah Briggs, Sustainability Project Officer at Keele reflects on the opportunities and challenges

EAUC CEO Iain Patton reflects on the Carbon Reduction Pledge event organised by the EAUC and NUS, hosted by Ofs and BEIS.

Simon Goldsmith, Head of Sustainability at the University of Greenwich outlines the success of their new cup reuse initiative.

Janet Haddock-Fraser, EAUC Chair of Trustees, talks integrated leadership as a means of mobilising institutional action.

Michael J. Lorr from Aquinas College, Michigan, USA, talks sustainability and partnering with NUI Galway.

Louise Walker, Public Sector Sales Director at Interface talks about why it matters where we learn.

Rebecca from the Scotland Team reflects on a project examining the likely impacts of climate change and potential responses to them.

Agne Buraityte from Glasgow Kelvin College talks about their new Velocity Cycling Hub.

Charlotte Bonner from NUS talks about the pilot project 'Unicycle.

Christa Appleton, Education Project Officer at Keele University tells us about how she is using the SDGs to bring students together.

Andy Penaluna from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David talks about the link between sustainability and enterprise.

Dr Tammi Sinha from the University of Winchester talks about the challenge of enabling transformative, positive change within institutions.

Darren Axe,Lancaster University Students’ Union talks about balancing ethical dilemmas.

Dr Steven Rogers, Teaching Fellow in Geology at Keele University tells us all about the Geology department's SDG journey.

Mariya Simeonova, Sustainability Officer at the University of St Andrews, attended an EAUC-Scotland trip to waste facilities leading the way in Scotland’s Zero Waste to Landfill target.

Dave Gorman,University of Edinburgh, reflects on progress made since the University announced its climate strategy – Zero by 2040.

University Business talks about how post-16 education can lead the way in embedding sustainability.

Eco designer Linda Thomas reveals all about the coveted green gowns she makes for award winners.

EAUC CEO Iain Patton talks judging and megatrends.

Find out what makes this print firm special in their latest blog

Jenny Jamieson from the Scottish Funding Council explains more.

EAUC intern Michael Mackenzie gives the inside scoop on sustainability for students.

TUCO talks about sustainable catering and their Green Gowns sponsorship.

IT Schools Africa talks recycling and improving education in Africa

Vegware talks sustainable packaging in FHE

EAUC's CEO Iain Patton talks about our new mapping research.

Matthew Lawson, University of Edinburgh

LovetoRide's Jack Windle talks about new project 'UniCycle'

Liz Cooper,University of Edinburgh

Paul Crossley, Sustainability Projects Lead at London Southbank University

Steve Hamilton Vice President and General Manager, UK, Ireland and the Middle East Interface

EAUC's CEO Iain Patton talks 'living labs' and how they are helping post-16 education.

Rachel Manning, Education Officer at Sustrans