Challenges – “Building In” and “Behaviour Change”
An article in the magazine Green Futures, January 2009, highlights the importance of a sustainable approach in colleges and universities to help young people treat sustainability as normal … including Travel Planning.
Quote from the article “From Oxford’s oldest colleges to state of the art architecture like Northumbria University’s new Law School there are many lessons to be learned from the way college and university buildings are designed, built, managed and monitored to improve their sustainability.”
Sustainability covers energy and water efficiency, waste minimisation, transport and travel planning, looking after the local environment and procurement. Sustainability is also about communication, working towards targets, monitoring progress and encouraging behaviour change.
Some areas of sustainability can be built into new buildings, or introduced into older buildings – insulation, rain water collection, automatic water taps, recycling bins, new bus routes, real time information, secure cycle racks, planting to encourage biodiversity around the site. Procuring products made of recycled materials from the local area, and securing services from local organisations which have ethical and sustainable values can all be arranged with persistence and careful management.
Communicating sustainability and getting students and staff to change their behaviour is an even greater challenge.
Core courses including aspects of sustainability is one way forward. Enabling students to apply what they have learned about sustainability to practical issues (such as implementing video conferencing, using public transport regularly, producing Fair Trade meals in the college restaurant) is another.
The article goes on to say “Incorporating sustainable principles pays off on so many fronts – saving money, inspiring the university / college community, attracting staff and students, and making an impression on green league tables.
Universities and colleges must lead by example if students are to take sustainability seriously. If facilities for cycling (and recycling) are widely used on campus and become part of the “normal” way of doing things, then graduates will more likely expect (and demand) them afterwards, in their jobs, homes and public buildings."
The full article can be read at GreenFutures
February 1, 2009
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“The Workplace Travel Plan Company has used their professional experience to assist Gateshead College in developing 3 separate Travel Plans for its new accommodation. They have a drive and determination to succeed including the meeting of targets and deadlines.”
Steve Collingwood
Campus Services Manager, Gateshead College