Navigation menu

Degrees Cooler: a greener campus coming to Kent

The University of Kent has fought off tough competition to be selected to be a part of a flagship greener lifestyles programme.

Called Degrees Cooler - Greening universities and beyond through behaviour change, the project seeks to help 90,000 students and staff across 20 English universities measurably change their everyday behaviours for the sake of the environment.

The two year project will start immediately and is being run in conjunction with the National Union of Students (NUS), the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), Student Switch Off and People & Planet.

Professor Keith Mander, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University said 'It is hoped that the project will reach out to all our staff and students over the next two years, engaging them to recycle more, use less energy, eat more sustainable local food and reduce non-essential flying' .

Wes Streeting, National President of NUS, said 'The funding means NUS can support both staff and students to live greener lifestyles, helping them to enthuse those around them to do the same'. He added 'Students today will have a major influence on the world tomorrow meaning the impact is direct and long lasting'.

Catherine Morris, Environmental Co-ordinator for Kent Union and the University of Kent said: 'We are thrilled to be working on Degrees Cooler, and encourage everyone to get involved as the scheme grows'.

Degrees Cooler is funded by the Greener Living Fund, sponsored by Defra. A total of £515,000 will be spent delivering greener lifestyle projects at twenty English universities over the next two years.

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 10:50am 16 October 2009