>> PROFESSOR SALLY MAPSTONE: The University of St Andrews is a world-leading university and we see it as our willing responsibility to integrate sustainability within our University strategy.
>> PROFESSOR SALLY MAPSTONE: We want to be known as a University that absolutely practices what it preaches.
>> PROFESSOR SIR IAN BOYD: The Principal launched the environmental sustainability board in February 2020, taking a whole institutional approach to sustainability.
>> PROFESSOR SIR IAN BOYD: In January 2021 the University Court approved the environmental sustainability strategy, this sets the ambition to be net-zero by 2035, which is 10 years ahead of the Scottish Government’s target.
>> ABI WHITEFIELD: The University takes mine and others concerns about the environment seriously and helps to support me and other students in helping to shape a more sustainable future.
>> ABI WHITEFIELD: We created a new course on carbon management last year and provided lots of new opportunities for students to get involved including community gardening and also having their input on the new environment strategy
>> ALISTAIR MACLEOD: It’s vital that we work on some of these more complicated issues with the whole community and Transition has been doing this across a number of themes including sustainable travel.
>> ALISTAIR MACLEOD: We have formed a local action group call the Active Way to look at paths and networks which enables us to make walking and cycling easier, whilst we’ve also help train local residents, students and staff in cycle maintenance.
>> DEREK WATSON: It’s what you do for sustainability that matters, you need to make the bold steps, like this biomass plant behind us.
>> DEREK WATSON: The future needs to be different, challenge what you teach, challenge what you research, challenge how you innovate.
>> DEREK WATSON: This is what we are going to have to do to drive a more sustainable future, this is in the gift of universities.
