NEWS - April 2012
Showcase Success!
Our Sustainability Showcase went very well - if you missed it, do look out for the displays making their way around the university. There are a few prizes and certificates still waiting to be collected by Gre en Impact teams and Go Green Week photography contest winners, so please drop us an email if you'd like to arrange a time to collect those.
In the meantime, you can see a brief write up and some photographs on our blog or see the full set of pictures on our Flickr.
March 2012
UNA Earth Day Conference
As a sequel to our 2011 Earth Day, this year’s event will assist us to contribute to UN Earth Summit - Rio+20 - scheduled for 20-22 June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The outcome should enhance our lobby against global ecological degradation and for strengthening environmental law, as well as guiding us to adopt lifestyles more conducive to equality and less destructible on our one and only Planet Earth.
You can download the flyer for more information here.
Sustainability Showcase
On Wednesday 25th April, from 4.30 - 6pm in Og12, we're holding a Sustainability Showcase, to celebrate and recognise some of the wonderful work that has been going on across the University, amongst both staff and students, towards sustainability.
There will be displays to illustrate some of our projects, competitions and achievements, and nibbles, wine and soft drinks will be provided.
This is an open invitation to students, staff and associates of the university, but we would appreciate an RSVP from anyone who wishes to attend, sent to sustainability@canterbury.ac.uk
Go Green Week & Fairtrade Fortnight
CCCU celebrated Go Green Week from the 6th - 12th of February with a week-long timetable of events, including film screenings, craft fairs, bake sales, workshops, photography competitions and promotions in the cafes and food courts across campus.
During Fairtrade Fortnight we hosted a public lecture on Fairtrade and ethical procurement with guest speakers Stuart Wright, Corporate Responsibility and Ethical Trade Manager for Sainsbury's, Quentin Clark, Head of Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing for Waitrose, and Nicholas Hunt, local PR Representative for Traidcraft.
To see and read about what we got up to, have a look at our Sustainability Blog here.
November 2011
SCN Film-club
Building a culture of sustainability at
Canterbury Christ Church University involves engaging staff and
students from all sorts of different academic, professional and
personal backgrounds. Every member of CCCU has a unique set of
experiences and interests that make each of us who we are!
The aim of the new Sustainability Champions
Network (SCN) film-club is to create a space where we can all
come together to share in some cinematic moments, with a view to
spreading awareness about the sustainability message. You might
be surprised at what falls under this label. The four pillars of
sustainability – environmental, economic, social and
institutional – reach rather broadly!
The idea is that any CCCU department or
an individual can host a screening under the broader SCN
umbrella. This way, it will be possible to build links across
subject areas as well as between staff and students from
different departments.
The first film that we will screen is ‘The
Pipe’, which is a documentary film from 2010 set in remote
north-west Ireland. It tells the story of a local community
fight against the Shell oil company, and is directed by
Risteard O’Domhnaill.
Please join us at the North Holmes Road
Powell main lecture theatre on Thursday 24th November
at 7.15pm!
Other films that have been suggested
for the SCN film-club include ‘No Impact Man’ (2009), ‘Wall-E’
(2008), ‘Local Hero’ (1983), and ‘Metropolis’ (1927).
If you have any suggestions
for films, or if your department would like host a screening
then please get in touch with us at
sustainability@canterbury.ac.uk
New Staff
This year, the profile of sustainability within the the strategic plan has resulted in some new projects and some additional resources.
Green Impact moves into it's second year and we hope to recruit many more teams. Lucy Brown joins us as the Green Impact Assistant for the next 6 months
Felicity Ravenwood has been recruited as the new sustainability Engagement officer. Her role will focus on generating and coordinating staff and student engagement activities within the area of sustainability.
The University's new Strategic Plan (Chapter 12) commits us to developing our students' understanding of the challenges to our common future and the need for sustainable development of communities, economies, and our environment.
The work of a small group, through the HEA Green Academy and under the auspices of the Education for Sustainable Development Committee, has resulted in the development of a new approach to curriculum development in this area.
Prof. Peter Vujakovic has been seconded half time to lead The Futures Initiative along with colleagues involved in the Green Academy. This initiative will be launched at three separate events on 12, 13 & 14 October. More details can be found here
June 2011
A First in the Green League!
Christ Church achieves a First Class Award in the People and Planet Green League
I am delighted to report that Christ Church is now in the top group of 142 UK universities and colleges in the People and Planet Green league table.
Our improvement in the league table from 56th to 31st – with the award of a First Class, up from a 2:2 last year - is a clear reflection of the efforts of a large number of staff and our significant commitment to sustainability in the last year.
This is welcome news, as we set out to improve our overall league table positioning and commitment to environmental sustainability in the Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015.
The Green League is published by People and Planet and has grown in significance since its creation in 2007. Christ Church’s performance has improved consistently and it is significant that we can now count ourselves amongst the top 25% of universities and colleges for environmental performance.
The league table recognises, in particular, the publication of our Carbon Management Plan and the implementation of our Environmental Management System (EcoCampus).
To read about the Green League results please go to:
2. The full Green League table
3. The Christ Church score card
EcoCampus Silver Award achieved
At the end of April the University underwent the silver phase audit of it's Environmental Management System. This successful completion means that we are on track to achieve full ISO14001 accreditation by the end of 2012.
The Gold phase now follows, which is targeted for completion in the autumn of this year. Further details of what needs to be achieved over the summer can be found here. Short training presentations can be found on all the EcoCampus phases here.
Green Impact Awards Ceremony
Green Impact ends for the first year with an awards ceremony held at St Martin's Priory. See the photos, find out how many teams got involved, what they were awarded and who are the environmental heroes of 2011.
"Eye of newt ...Wool of bat" - biodiversity at Salomons
A short article has been compiled by the Salomons grounds management team in conjunction with Professor Peter Vujakovic, which highlights the good work on encouraging biodiversity on the Salomons estate.
Bradford University publishes Ecoversity annual report 2009-10
Find out how the Mini-Bioblitz went on March 19th
Liftshare Spring newsletter published.
As fuel prices continue to rise, save by sharing your journey!
Mini Bioblitz planned for North Holmes Road Campus - March 19th
Environment conference is a huge success!
Click here for a brief report of C4Bs Environment Conference 'A Greener Economy: A Time for Change?'
Fairtrade
Status with flying colours 
MESSAGE FROM FAIRTRADE FOUNDATION TO THE UNIVERSITY
"Well done on all your work as a team over the past year! It is great to see such a large and active Steering Group. All the evidences provided show that you are still engaged more than ever in promoting ethical consumption on the campus and we are convinced this will have long term impacts on the way students consume in the future."
"You should be proud of all the hard work put in so far and we are convinced that if you continue that way your next campaign will be just as successful. It is a great idea to also include sustainable procurement. Focusing on cotton next year fits in well with the Foundation’s strategy and you may want to join us in attempting to break the world record of the longest piece of bunting."
"CONGRATULATIONS! We are delighted to renew Canterbury Christ Church University’s Fairtrade Status and thank you for your continuing hard work and support. Canterbury Christ Church University is clearly committed to Fairtrade, and this shows in your success in upholding and surpassing the 5 goals. Well done – we look forward to seeing how your campaign develops and what activities you have planned in the coming year."
January Newsletters published
EAUC Earth magazine and EcoCampus News
Green Impact now is full swing
Green Impact is now operating within the University. 11 teams are up and running with many having now achieved the bronze stage. Student auditors are being recruited and the awards ceremony is now being planned. Read more on the Green Impact pages.
Video resource – compelling argument for taking action
Greg Craven's video turns the climate
change 'question' on its head. It changes it from a question of
science to one of risk management.
Go Green Week - 7th - 11th February - recruiting now
The Student Union and the University are organising a Go Green Week during the second week of February. This is a national week of action and awareness raising coordinated by the People and Planet group. A whole series of fun activities and events have been dreamt up and now we need to get a group of enthusiastic people together to help organise the week. Students and staff are needed to make this a success. So if you're interested please contact: Silvia Rasca Vice President (Welfare and Education) or our Green Impact Assistant Louisa Perkins
The Story of Stuff
Take a look at these really interesting animated stories about the products and services we buy. A real eye opener and worth a look!
Student Force for Sustainability
Take a look at the latest EForce News from Student Force.
Latest EAUC News
