News and Events

BU shortlisted for Environmental Excellence Award

28 November 2007

Our commitment to the environment has been recognised in this year’s Dorset Business Awards.

BU is one of three finalists for the Environmental Excellence Award, sponsored by BP.

The Award recognises the environmental responsibility of businesses in Dorset through policies and procedures that demonstrate good practice and positive results. This includes areas such as energy efficiency, waste minimisation and recycling.

David Lifford, BU’s Head of Procurement & Environment said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted in the Environmental Excellence category of the Dorset Business Awards this year.

“The University is a complex organisation with many significant challenges but we enjoy a high quality environment within our local settings in Bournemouth and Poole and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of this environment for the people who live and work at the University and for the wider community.”

BU is well ahead of many other organisations in the region, and in the higher education sector, in terms of realising its environmental potential.

Earlier this year, BU came 26th out of 102 UK universities in the country’s first ever ‘green’ league table, published by national student campaign group People & Planet.

We’re highly rated for reporting below the sector norms for energy usage and CO2 emissions. Pay-by-weight waste disposal measures have led to the recycling of more than 36% of campus-generated waste.

Our award-winning green travel plan has increased the use of bicycles and subsidised bus services by students and staff. This has greatly reduced traffic congestion and carbon emissions, particularly in and around campus areas.

Our progress in managing our impact on the environment is monitored and measured by dedicated staff, including an environmental officer and a recently appointed energy officer, with meters in place to measure the energy efficiency of campus buildings.

Activities supported by the our Environmental Strategy Group are making a difference to changing attitudes and behaviour on campus, resulting in greater awareness of energy consumption and conservation.

We also maintained our Fairtrade status for the second year, continuing our commitment to promoting the consumption of Fairtrade products.

Future plans call for the continued reduction of our carbon footprint and an aspiration to achieve a certified environmental management system.

Winners of this year’s Dorset Business Awards will be announced on Thursday November 29 at the Bournemouth International Centre during a prestigious gala dinner hosted by BBC regional television presenter Sally Taylor.