Annual Report 2011/12

Statement 2011/12

We have continued to build on our sustainability activities and have again demonstrated measurable improvements in environmental performance.  This has been recognised externally through a number of awards and accreditations.  Campus Services was awarded ISO14001 certification for its Environmental Management System, Reed Hall received a Gold Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) and the Grounds Team secured a Green Flag award for the second year. We won the 2012 Greenbuild award for Education Buildings (Retrofit) and were shortlisted in three Green Gown Award categories.  In addition we received a ‘First class award for environmental performance’ for the fourth year running in the People and Planet Green League. 

With regards to the curriculum we have made some significant progress building on the success of the HEFCE LGM project that is seeking to embed Education for Sustainability (EfS) through quality enhancement and quality assurance processes (HEFCE Leadership Fund). A bespoke interactive Quick Guide to Education for Sustainability was designed to assist Exeter’s academics in curriculum development and a new approach to module design in the Business School resulted in a trail blazing core module called Business and Society. The project further produced an interactive guide  that provides guidance and tools for the Higher Education sector and new guidance on EfS has been included in the QAA chapter on Teaching and Learning . 

Another highlight is the involvement of the University in the Rio+20 Earth Summit. The Sustainability Curriculum Development Manager co-hosted a United Nations Side Event on the Role of Tertiary Education in Sustainable development and the Green Economy. She took part in the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative which Declaration was endorsed by the University of Exeter.  The HESI initiative and signatory Universities  received continued  praise from UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon as these universities are making a significant contribution to a sustainable future.

Professor Mark Overton

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Exeternal Affairs)