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University joins EcoCampus

The University of Kent has become the first higher or further education institution in the southeast to join the first phase of EcoCampus, a Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) project that encourages, rewards and assists universities in moving towards environmental sustainability and good operational and management practices.

Among other initiatives, EcoCampus will help institutions improve resource efficiency, such as a reduction in energy consumption and waste production through encouraging recycling and preventing pollution; achieve financial savings such as reduced energy bills and landfill costs; actively involve staff and students in the institution's move towards sustainability; draw on, add-value, and make reference to existing good practice, guidance and support already in place; and demonstrate good corporate citizenship by improving institutional standing within the local community.

EcoCampus will also benchmark environmental improvement, with participating institutions working toward bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards for success at each one of four stages. The University of Kent is currently aiming for its first (bronze) award, which will verify senior management commitment, environmental awareness training, a baseline environmental review and a draft environmental policy.

James Cheney, Deputy Director of Safety, Health and Environment for the University of Kent, said: 'Being a member of the EcoCampus scheme enables the University of Kent to demonstrate publicly both commitment to environmental issues and the desire to achieve continual improvement in its environmental management. By participating in the pilot project the University is helping with the development of the scheme and its tools so that other universities can benefit in the future.'

The University of Kent's participation in EcoCampus is managed by its Safety, Health and Environment Unit.

Contact: Mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 3:33pm 18 March 2008