News
University of Leeds commits to bold climate crisis action
The University of Leeds has fully divested from significant fossil fuel extractors and has set out seven bold principles it will adopt to help tackle the climate crisis. The principles have been approved by the University’s governing body, its Council, and outline the ambitious st...
Posted on 17 September 2019
Scottish Circular Economy Bill much needed
A cross-sectoral coalition of organisations has been launched, calling for an ambitious and comprehensive Circular Economy Bill. The coalition of over 30 organisations is led by Scottish Environment LINK and includes Friends of the Earth Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Marine Conservation Soci...
Posted on 5 September 2019
EAUC calls on universities and colleges to support local authorities
This week, lawyers from ClientEarth are putting 100 local authorities across England on notice, warning them that they will violate their legal obligations and risk legal challenge if they do not introduce proper climate change plans. EAUC is calling on universities to lobby their local authoriti...
Posted on 3 September 2019
University of Sussex declares climate emergency
The University of Sussex has joined organisations around the world in declaring a climate emergency with Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell stating that "unless the higher education sector works together to address the problem at every possible juncture, we will be failing the young people who t...
Posted on 21 August 2019
Goldsmiths pledges action on climate emergency
Beef burgers and bottled water will be consigned to history on the Goldsmiths, University of London campus from the start of the new academic year next month. The changes come as part of a major drive to cut carbon use across Goldsmiths as the College joins other universities and institutions in ...
Posted on 14 August 2019
Christ Church Declares Climate Emergency
Around 7,000 other networks of higher and further education institutions from across six continents have signed a letter to take action against the growing threat of climate change. The letter, organised by EAUC - The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education, which includes a thr...
Posted on 12 August 2019
Earth Overshoot Day - what can institutions do?
Today is Earth Overshoot Day – Today marks the date when humanity’s annual demand on nature exceeds what Earth’s ecosystems can regenerate in that year according to Global Footprint Network, an international sustainability organisation that has pioneered the Ecological Footprint. T...
Posted on 29 July 2019
EAUC Board Member Eunice Simmons appointed Vice Chancellor at University of Chester
EAUC board member Eunice Simmons has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of University of Chester from January 2020. Professor Simmons is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), where she leads the Academic and Student Affairs directorate, encompassing the stud...
Posted on 25 July 2019
Gove gives update on Environment Bill and plastics consultations
Michael Gove has today (Tuesday 23 July) provided an update on progress towards the introduction of the landmark Environment Bill. In the online summer policy update, it says: "Faced with the unprecedented decline of our natural environment, science clearly shows that tackling biodiversit...
Posted on 23 July 2019
'If not now, when?' - Government urged to step up action against climate and environmental
EAUC CEO Iain Patton has signed a letter urging the next Prime Minister to push for a bigger and faster political response on the climate and environmental crises. The letter was sent to Conservative Party leader contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, as well as the two Liberal Democrat ...
Posted on 16 July 2019
Governments Voluntary National Review casts doubt on its commitment to the SDGs
The International Development Committee (IDC) has identified serious failings in the preparation and presentation of UK’s first Voluntary National Review of progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. You can read the full report here. The UK VNR is being presented at the...
Posted on 16 July 2019
University of Plymouth declares a climate emergency
The University of Plymouth has declared a climate emergency, joining an international movement aimed at taking action on climate change. The move, supporting a call by EAUC – The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education, reaffirms the University’s position as a global leade...
Posted on 10 July 2019
Higher and Further Education Institutions across the globe declare Climate Emergency
New York, 10 July 2019 - Today, networks representing more than 7,000 higher and further education institutions from 6 continents announced that they are declaring a Climate Emergency, and agreed to undertake a three-point plan to address the crisis through their work with students. The three-poi...
Posted on 10 July 2019
SDG Accord Report 2019
A new SDG report finds student Climate Change protests are pushing Climate Action up the agenda of universities and colleges across the world. The second SDG Accord report, ‘Progress towards the Global Goals in the University and College sector’, is being launched today (Wed...
Posted on 9 July 2019
EAUC Scotland Conference Launch
We are very excited to announce that the EAUC-Scotland Conference 2019 will take place at The Lighthouse in Glasgow on Tuesday 26th November 2019. The theme will be the Elephants in the Room. This topic builds on our last conference where we set visions and actions for the decade ahead - view the...
Posted on 8 July 2019
Influence! 2019 - A conference to remember
This year, the EAUC 23rd Annual Conference was held at the University of Manchester on the 18th-20th June. Its theme, ‘Influence’, comes at a time when sustainability issues are increasingly at the forefront of mainstream media, following scientific research publications outlining immine...
Posted on 7 July 2019
Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland 2019 Finalists
We are proud to announce this year's Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland Finalists. After a tough judging session, the applicants have been whittled down to 101 finalists across 14 categories. This year’s UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards’ Finalists, representing over 1 million ...
Posted on 4 July 2019
‘Trash fish’, gluten free rooms and shared accommodation found by TUCO at California’s top uni
Following a successful USA study tour, members of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) are set to implement a series of global learnings into UK universities. The TUCO ‘Residence Life at California’s Top Universities’ study tour was organised by the award-winning TUCO Acade...
Posted on 3 July 2019
Scottish Government launch Vision 2030 Plus Action Plan
A new Learning for Sustainability Action Plan sets out how the Scottish Government will implement the recommendations of the Vision 2030+ Report over the next 3-5 years. The Action Plan ‘aims to act as a catalyst to support the increased prevalence of L...
Posted on 27 June 2019
UK’s Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals
The UK’s Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals has been published, and features an assessment of how well the UK has done so far in tackling the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals are part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All...
Posted on 27 June 2019
Share your views on the merits of accreditation programs for sustainability
Some institutions choose to join programs such as EcoCampus to provide a level of recognition for their sustainability work. This student survey is being used for a dissertation project to capture what motivates some to take this route – and as interestingly, why others do not. Members of...
Posted on 27 June 2019
Sustainability Leadership Scorecard Report
Sustainability: our sector’s current best chance of responding to the urgent demands of climate science – new report A cross-sector partnership advocating for a more urgent and more co-ordinated approach to sustainability in our universities and colleges is today reporting on th...
Posted on 26 June 2019
Scientists show how discarded cola bottles can create purified drinking water
Contaminated water can be purified for drinking using just three empty plastic bottles thanks to new research by Nottingham Trent University. A project led by Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh – an expert in intelligent engineering systems - will allow people in developing countries to clean...
Posted on 25 June 2019
How do people feel about sustainability?
The Survey We want to find out how people are feeling about sustainability, both as a wider subject, and in relation to their personal lives. So we’ve brought out a survey that asks children, young people, and adults what they think. We ask that you please take the time to fill out this sur...
Posted on 13 June 2019
EAUC signs world-leading government pledge to help halve food waste
EAUC, alongside big-hitters from the world of food and sustainability including Aldi, Asda, Café Nero, Co-op, Costa, FDF, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Starbucks, Tesco, M&S, Morrisons, Nestlé, Ocado, UK Hospitality, Unilever, WWF and Waitrose have signed a pledge committing to help hal...
Posted on 13 June 2019
New funding for local climate change projects announced
Funding of up to £75,000 to support local climate action in the UK has been announced by the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN). Proposals are invited for the first round of the PCAN Fund, backed by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which will support up to six project...
Posted on 12 June 2019
Key leadership skills that advance the career of sustainability professionals
A new cohort of sustainability professionals have developed skills and knowledge they need to deliver change in their organisations through the Emerging Leaders Programme 2018 - 2019 that was concluded this month. The five day sessions provided the chance for delegates to share experien...
Posted on 12 June 2019
Climate Change Letter: Raising a flag for the Climate Emergency
In advance of the Secretary General’s Climate Summit on September 23, networks and institutions working in further and higher education are coming together to add their support to this letter and raise the flag of concern around the "climate emergency" which is being r...
Posted on 10 June 2019
Announcing the 2019 International Green Gown Awards Finalists
We are delighted to reveal the finalists of the 2019 International Green Gown Awards. The winners will be announced on 10th July 2019 in New York as part of the United Nations High Level Political Forum. Find out more about the Awards Ceremony. The International Green Gown Awards are endo...
Posted on 31 May 2019
EAUC Pledge to Step Up To The Plate
In May 2019 Ben Elliot, the Government’s Food Surplus and Waste Champion hosted a major symposium - ‘Step up to the Plate’ - at London’s prestigious V&A Museum. Major players from the worlds of food retail and hospitality, along with social media influencers and wel...
Posted on 30 May 2019
World Environment Day 2019
For this year’s World Environment Day, UN Environment will be calling on everyone, everywhere to come together to Beat Air Pollution, which is now the biggest public health crisis on the planet. We want to work with our partners in education and youth to take this message into the classroom...
Posted on 30 May 2019
Step-by-step Guide for Sustainability Leaders
We released today the Making the Business Case for Sustainability - A Guide for Sustainability Leaders. This Guide is designed to help sustainability leaders to make a successful case for sustainability in a Further and Higher Education context, to embed sustainability at the top...
Posted on 29 May 2019
EMR data shows a fall in carbon emissions in HE, but more commitment needed
Environmental statistics (EMR data) released last week revealed an 8% fall in carbon emissions by HE providers despite a 4% increase in energy consumption. In 2017/18 HE providers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland consumed 6.7 Terawatt hours of energy, compared to 6.5 Terawatt hours in...
Posted on 13 May 2019
Bridgend College declares its commitment to address the climate emergency
Following both the UK and Welsh Government’s declaration of a climate change emergency, Bridgend College is reaffirming its strong and positive corporate commitment to take action on climate change, to become the first College in the UK to declare a climate emergency. This statement has bee...
Posted on 2 May 2019
Phase out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to end UK contribution to global warming
The UK can end its contribution to global warming within 30 years by setting an ambitious new target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says today. Ten years after the Climate Change Act became law, now is the right moment to set a m...
Posted on 2 May 2019
Government must seize business opportunity presented by net zero target
Welcoming the publication of the Committee on Climate Change’s advice today [1], the Aldersgate Group urges the government to press ahead with setting a net zero target. This must be underpinned by a comprehensive policy package to deliver net zero emissions and support business investment and...
Posted on 2 May 2019
EAUC is launching the Living Lab Guide
There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all approach in tertiary education. At EAUC we recognise these particularities and have partnered with National Union of Students - NUS, to develop a Guide that highlights different approaches to learning and research through pa...
Posted on 1 May 2019
EAUC Declares a Climate Emergency
EAUC are today declaring a Climate Emergency We are calling for all post-16 education institutions and support bodies in the UK and Ireland to declare a Climate Emergency and to commit to the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendation to adopt as a minimum a 2050 net zero emissions target...
Posted on 1 May 2019
‘Put climate change on our curriculum': The outraged teens confronting Ofsted
We are four 15-year-old school students who are deeply concerned about the damage we’re doing to our planet and how it will affect our futures. Climate change is the biggest issue of our time, and it must be a part of our education if our generation is to understand it and help us to combat...
Posted on 30 April 2019
Newcastle University second to declare a climate emergency in UK
Newcastle University has signalled its commitment to climate change action by joining a number of organisations in the UK and all over the world to declare a climate emergency. Following Newcastle University’s Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting on 10 April, the University has ...
Posted on 30 April 2019
Sun in the oven! A solar cooker for INSIDE the home
A solar cooker that heats food by concentrating the sun’s rays can be used inside the home thanks to new research by Nottingham Trent University. The project aims to allow people in hot, arid countries with sun all year round to cook indoors without the need for gas, electricity or bu...
Posted on 25 April 2019
University of Bristol declares a climate emergency
The University of Bristol is joining with other organisations and institutions across the country and the world to become the first UK university to declare a climate emergency, reaffirming our strong and positive commitment to take action on climate change. Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-...
Posted on 17 April 2019
Oxford University donates computers to IT Schools Africa to enable quality education for students
Oxford University donated obsolete, working IT equipment to IT Schools Africa for sustainable reuse to help provide increased access to e-Learning technology for African students. This will offer life enhancing knowledge and skills, access to further education and improved employment opportunities. ...
Posted on 15 April 2019
NERC invests £1.3M to engage the UK public on big issues in environmental science
An innovative project that will see researchers collaborate with diverse communities on issues in environmental science has been awarded £1.3M through NERC’s Engaging Environments programme. The award is NERC’s largest single investment in public engagement, with project partners p...
Posted on 15 April 2019
Inspire Fund - Public Engagement Funding
A new public engagement funding scheme part of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s work to tackle misconceptions around dementia and promote the importance of dementia research is now available. This is to support new perspectives, talent and expertise to shed a spotlight on this important issue, ...
Posted on 15 April 2019
University of Nottingham crowned Enactus UK 2019 national champion
On the 8th and 9th April, the top 32 Enactus teams from across the UK competed in the 2019 Enactus UK National Expo at the ExCeL, London. The dynamic, energy-filled event brought together 650 university students, 70 academics, and over 300 senior UK business leaders across two days in celebration...
Posted on 15 April 2019
University and college leaders must wake up to the demands of students on climate action
The Further and Higher Education sector is calling on sector leaders and governments across the UK to wake up to the rally cries of students and staff on sustainability issues like Climate Change. The increasingly urgent call for climate action by students and staff in the form of Youth Strikes i...
Posted on 12 April 2019
New UK reports show opportunity in net zero emissions targets
The Aldersgate Group – a membership organisation that drives action for a sustainable economy – have released two new reports on net zero emissions targets. EAUC are proud members of Aldersgate Group, and we welcome the reports that argue that a net zero emissions target cou...
Posted on 10 April 2019
Gender Pay Gap in Universities - one year on
Times Higher Education (THE) reports slow progress on closing the gender pay gap in UK Universities. The Government Equalities Office published the data for the second year last week (Friday, 5 April). Gender Pay Gap data submission is a legal requirement for every employer with 250 or more emplo...
Posted on 8 April 2019
Results Announced: THE University Impact Rankings 2019
Times Higher Education (THE) released their first University Impact Rankings today, tracking the impact of universities on 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Topping the overall table is the University of Auckland, followed closely by McMaster Univers...
Posted on 3 April 2019
