Wrexham Glyndwr University's story.
Wrexham Glyndwr University Sustainability Action Working Group (SAWG), is a small army of Green Champions, consisting of students and staff, including Students Union and Unison representatives, has been given an annual budget of £20,000 ring fenced for special projects.
They are also a member of the Wales Waste and Resource Research Centre, managed by Cardiff University and funded through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The university has used 100% renewable electricity since 2018, and has reduced carbon emissions by 54% since 2009/10. They are working towards carbon neutrality by 2030.
Alongside organisation-wide policies and plans with regards to carbon reduction, the SAWG has been responding and taking action based on requests and suggestions from the student and staff. For example by:
planting more trees;
reducing single-use plastics;
making University vehicles electric;
encouraging wildlife on campus;
improving the university's recycling;
creating new green spaces and improve existing ones;
embedding sustainability as part of all curriculum activity;
providing space for students to grow fruit and veg; and
reducing car parking and actively encourage and supporting the use of local public transport and cycle/walk to work schemes.
Useful learnings from Wrexham Glyndwr University.
Reach out to staff and students to engage them in sustainability projects.
Wrexham Glyndwr University's metrics.
Amount of carbon emissions saved.
Increase in recycling rates.
Student and staff engagement.
Improved biodiversity (through being a hedgehog friendly campus!)
More use of sustainable transport options.
