HWUSA unveils environmental policy
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Heriot-Watt University Students Association (HWUSA) has unveiled a new policy in an attempt to reduce their impact on the environment and improve sustainability at the university.
The new plans from HWUSA outline the areas needing to be addressed in order to achieve the goals, and additionally funding has been allocated in order to carry them out.
The Union is hoping to increase recycling throughout the campus with the introduction of more facilities. HWUSA is also looking to reduce energy costs with reminders around light switches and electrical equipment.
The first stage for the Union is to tackle the carbon footprint when travelling to and from the University. There are plans to encourage more students and staff to cycle to university rather than driving or getting the bus through campaigns and initiatives such as free bicycle maintenance and cycle groups.
The University is currently 107th of 120 institutions in the People and Planet Green League, granting them a third class award and as a result failed to achieve another silver award and was downgraded to a bronze.
As a result newly elected President Mike Ross has stated that: “We [HWUSA] are currently working towards Silver for the Green Impact awards” which he hopes will be an important aim for the new environmental policy.
Mr Ross recently attended a meeting with the environmentally aware group Transition Heriot-Watt, set up to run various initiatives to help with a stronger environmental policy and greater sustainability around the University.
Mr Ross is hoping to help the University toward achieving a better ranking and improving their sustainability whilst also helping the environment. HWUSA has also promised to undertake an environmental audit every two years.
The students' association told The Journal that they plan on setting a good example by “practicing what we preach” with regards to environmental policy. Mr Ross also explained that he hopes HWUSA will now take “a leading role within the University around environmental sustainability”.
