Green investment at a critical time

Photos (left to right): University of the Highlands and Islands, University of Glasgow, Fife College

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has agreed new funding for the EAUC, an organisation working in Scotland to put sustainability at the heart of tertiary education and research. 

The 2024-25 funding package of £147,000 will allow the EAUC to continue to support colleges and universities towards greater environmental sustainability. The organisation will use the money to build on the success of last year’s activities which saw over 500 people benefitting from events, training sessions and webinars. For 2023-24 the EAUC also produced a series of new resources including a pioneering climate risk register tool and a sustainability champions learning pack. 

The programme will continue to focus on supporting effective leadership and action to help Scotland’s colleges and universities respond to the climate and ecological emergencies. The next steps will be based around six key projects including a best-practice guide to developing a biodiversity strategy and a commuter emissions calculator.  

Welcoming the new round of funding, Matt Woodthorpe, Scotland Programme Manager at the EAUC, said:  

“The past 11 months have been an exceptionally busy time as EAUC Scotland has worked closely with sector staff and sector partners to develop new tools and resources, share knowledge, and advocate for effective sustainability leadership.  

“This is a critical time for sustainability in Scotland and we look forward to working with the college and university sector, SFC and wider partners to deliver long term environmental, social and economic benefits for individual FHE institutions and their staff and students, and in turn the communities they serve and Scotland as a whole through this ambitious new programme.” 

Martin Boyle, SFC’s Director of Policy, Insight and Analytics, said: 

“In funding the EAUC programme, we are again demonstrating our determination to support progress towards a more sustainable future. EAUC Scotland does an incredible job of bringing together staff and students, colleges and universities, teaching and research to share best practice and work collaboratively to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies. 

“Following the success of last year’s programme, this year’s activities are equally progressive and ambitious, and I am delighted that we are able to support them through further investment.”