This week we are pleased to announce that Keele SU has once again managed to achieve an 'Excellent' accreditation for Green Impact 2021!?
Green Impact is a support network and awards programme run by SOS-UK (formally part of NUS), built especially for the student movement. It is designed to be a framework for SUs to run effective campaigns and projects, ensuring sustainability is embedded into everything we do. Every year, staff, officers and students work hard to ensure that we are being the best we possibly can be when it comes to all things related to sustainability. From climate justice to curriculum reform, health and wellbeing to gender equality - sustainability is much more than just planting trees and saving the turtles!
Holly Brooks, Keele SU’s Union Development & Democracy Officer was particularly involved with our submission and says “I’ve really enjoyed working on Green Impact this year! It’s been amazing to be able to contribute to our ‘Excellent’ accreditation. Seeing all of the work our SU does to work towards a more sustainable future (in a pandemic) is inspiring and I hope Keele SU can continue and build on the great successes we’ve achieved this year!”
Our CEO, Sarah Ellis says: "I'm so proud of what the SU has achieved especially as an award such as this requires both students and staff to work together on a shared goal; being awarded 'Excellent' in our Green Impact again shows how much our work on sustainability is continuous and that we are always working hard to be as sustainable as possible."
Keele SU has taken part every year since 2006 and has shown clear progress over the years, with this being the fourth year in a row that we have achieved 'Excellent' - the highest level of accreditation.?Campaigns and events such as Veganuary, the SDG Teach-In, Fitness February and Race Around the World all contributed to our high score, as well as our Climate Emergency declaration earlier this year.
It also follows Keele University’s recent global recognition as being named Sustainability Institution of the Year at the 2021 International Green Gown Awards, where partnership working and collaboration on sustainability was highlighted by the judges. Keele SU and Keele University have a strong working relationship when working on sustainability and embedding our work into all aspects of campus life.
Our new Activities & Community Officer, Tom Guilbert-Newell says "The next academic year will be even more amazing in terms of sustainability and there's lots lined up for you to get involved with. As covid restrictions are lifting we will be able to provide lots of exciting opportunities and as an officer I cannot wait!"
Now that lockdown is ending and we have a new academic year on the horizon, the future of sustainability at Keele SU is looking very bright indeed.