Cash for carbon cutting

A University student society has been awarded funding for staff and student-led carbon reduction projects.

The University branch of green group People & Planet was allocated money from round five of the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

It was one of 37 projects to be awarded a grant from the £27 million Fund.

Transition Edinburgh

The grant of £18,800 has been used to develop a student and staff initiative called Transition Edinburgh University (TEU).

The group is backed by the People & Planet society and the University’s Energy and Sustainability Office.

Carbon Crash programme

TEU is to launch a Carbon Crash programme to encourage staff and students to reduce personal emissions.

Planned activities and events include:

• a student accommodation energy-saving competition
• a free shop to reduce consumption
• promotion of local, low-carbon food options
• a green ‘Dragon’s Den’-style competition
• support for reduced energy usage in private homes
• showcase of sustainable travel options
• series of peer-learning carbon awareness action research programmes.

The group will launch its Carbon Crash programme at an event.