UWS has been named as a finalist in the 2018 Green Gown Awards which recognises exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland.

     David Johnston, UWS Depute Director of Information, Technology and Digital Services Department (ITDS), has been shortlisted as Sustainability Champion of the Year for the innovative solutions he has implemented to reduce the carbon footprint of his team through a decrease in inter-campus travel.

     David rolled out a programme focussing on video and web conferencing to reduce the ITDS department’s travel between UWS’ five campuses located in Paisley, Lanarkshire, Ayr, Dumfries and London. This has had significant environmental and efficiency benefits by reducing travel, increasing business productivity and saving staff time.

     Agile working practices such as home working and hot-desking at the campus nearest to an individual’s home have also been made available thanks to the use of remote access technology and web conferencing.

    David said: “The initiative is not only beneficial to the environment but has also improved efficiency in working practices and maximised productive working hours across the department. We’ve even seen our UWS cycling community grow as Cycle to Work has become a preferred mode of travel for many. This has significant benefits including improved health and fitness, money saved on fuel and team building benefits, as well as the positive impact on the environment.

    “I was inspired to develop this programme to make a change for the better and I am thrilled to see the effect it is already having.”

    Trevor Gabriele, Chief Finance Officer at UWS said: “This has had significant environmental and efficiency benefits across the department by increasing business productivity and saving staff time.

    “At UWS we are fully committed to sustainability and place great emphasis on reducing carbon emissions. David’s innovative approach has delivered significant environment and efficiency benefit and is something he should be rightly proud of.”

    The Awards are administered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and will take place on 8 November 2018 at York’s National Railway Museum. The Green Gown Awards provide the sector with benchmarks for excellence and are respected by Government, funding councils, senior management, academics and students.