After achieving a Gold award last year, the College this year upped its game even further to reach the highest accolade of a platinum award. It also won an Environmental Improvement Award, which recognises one special activity/action that is making a difference. This was for its unique water source heat pump, which harnesses water from a brook running through the College and was developed by an alumnus of the college who now runs a cleantech company. Other recent sustainable actions at the college have included installing solar panels, supplying all staff with refillable water bottles, sending nothing to landfill, turning food waste into fuel and introducing a more sustainable food policy in the college and the conference centre.
Says Alexis Moreau, the College’s Head of Conference and Catering Services: “Going green is no longer an optional extra but of vital importance for saving the planet, so we are continually looking for ways to mitigate the impact from running the college and our conference centre. It’s something that staff and students alike have got on board with, so we’re delighted to have these actions recognised in this way.”
Robinson College is one of the newest colleges in the University of Cambridge. It was founded with a donation by the entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir David Robinson and formally opened in 1981. It has 80 Fellows and around 400 undergraduate and 200 graduate students. Its purpose built conference facilities have operated alongside the college’s academic side for more than 30 years.
Green Impact is a change and engagement programme helping people from across the University understand sustainability and social responsibility, what individuals can do to make a difference and supporting them in achieving these actions.