Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Students’ Union has been awarded a six figure sum by the Scottish Government to continue to tackle climate change.
It is the third time RGU’s Students’ Union (RGU:Union) has received national funding for its sustainability initiative which spearheads a number of student-led eco projects.
The RGU Go Green initiative, which had run out of funds, has received the maximum grant of £149,958 from the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) for carbon-emission busting projects focussed on energy use, food consumption and transport.
RGU’s Student President for Communication and Democracy, Edward Pollock, is delighted that the new funding will save the sustainability initiative.
He said: “RGU Go Green is a funded initiative and has achieved so much since it was established, but the money ran out, so we are relieved that project can continue raising environmental awareness amongst the student body and wider community.”
The new funding will go towards the establishment of a community zero waste café which will be run by student volunteers for students and members of the public to raise awareness of low-carbon food and reducing food waste.
The money will also support the development of a partnership between RGU Go Green, Home Energy Scotland and GreenSkills Scotland to deliver energy advice and training for the community.
Through the partnership, RGU and North East Scotland College (NESCoL) students will have the opportunity to undertake energy audit training, give community advice through home energy visits, and take part in ‘train the trainer’ sessions so they are equipped to train further energy advisors.
The grant will also support a sustainable driver training project where students will get a chance to try a ‘Eco-Driver Simulator’ and receive fuel efficient driving sessions, as well as easier access to car sharing between the halls of residence and the campus.
Edward Pollock adds: “RGU:Union is committed to tackling climate change and these latest projects will give students additional opportunities to get involved with sustainability.
“RGU Go Green is now a well-established and popular initiative at RGU and so we are thrilled that it will continue with a launch of exciting projects to encourage students to appreciate the resources they use on a daily basis and take action to reduce waste and energy consumption.
“All of the projects are community focussed so students will work together to reduce not only the university’s carbon footprint but also the local community in Aberdeen as our students get out and about promoting sustainability.”
The CCF is a Scottish Government programme, managed and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, a charity which provides funding for community groups that are tackling climate change through local community-led projects.
If you are interested in getting involved with RGU Go Green email gogreen@rguunion.co.uk