The
University and College Union (UCU) today (Thursday 3 July)
congratulated universities doing the most to combat climate change but
urged all universities to step up the involvement of staff and students
in their
efforts. The union called for a carbon reduction strategy on every
campus based on university consultation with staff unions and student
representatives.
UCU was responding to the Green League table published today by the student campaigning organisation People and Planet.
UCU
represents lecturers and researchers in all subjects, including climate
and environmental science, and believes that the involvement of the
whole campus community is vital if higher education is to set an
example
to others on how to develop low-carbon ways of operating.
Roger Kline, head of employment rights at UCU said:
'People
and Planet and its student activists are to be congratulated for their
continuing pressure on higher education to improve environmental
performance. Many universities are responding and UCU congratulates
them, but progress is patchy.
'To
create a carbon reduction strategy on every campus the support of the
workforce and students is essential. The greatest progress will come
from strategies developed with the input of staff and students, and
where
there is a sense of shared ownership of the process and proposed
actions.
'People
& Planet are calling for full support from all the sector's
stakeholders, and UCU echoes this: we are keen to play our role in
encouraging colleagues to act on climate change. Our local
representatives want
to engage with employers to explore ideas for greener ways of working
and travelling to work. We also want to bring climate awareness into
every corner of the curriculum.
'Universities can lead the way on tackling climate change if they involve all the talents available to them.'
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