A resource helping universities and colleges adapt to the impacts of climate change has received recognition at the Scottish Green Apple Environment Awards. The Climate Risk Register Guide and Tool was published by EAUC Scotland and based on an approach developed at Borders College.
Borders College developed a new method to identify the hazards the College faces because of climate change and the actions needed to reduce the impact of these hazards. Key risks identified included flooding, storms, heatwaves and potential health impacts. This approach was recognised as sector–leading by EAUC Scotland, who developed their Climate Risk Register Guide and Tool based on the College’s experience, to help other institutions address climate change.
EAUC (The Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges) is the leading body for sustainability in the post-16 education sector in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and includes a dedicated Scotland Team funded by the Scottish Funding Council.
The findings from Borders College’s climate change risk register form a key part of the College’s approach to climate change adaptation, as outlined in the College’s new Sustainability Strategy. Climate change adaptation focuses on coping with the impacts of climate change, which we are already experiencing, rather than trying to stop climate change from happening by reducing greenhouse gas emissions – although this is still important to avoid worsening impacts such as extreme weather.
The Climate Risk Register Guide and Tool was produced to support institutions in the early stages of their climate adaptation journeys. In the face of a rapidly changing climate, the templates within the resource help institutions take steps to protect their estates, staff and students – from assessing flood risk to designing an adaptation action plan. The tool features tips and experience from Borders College throughout and the College’s risk register is included as a case study for others to learn from.
Staff from EAUC Scotland will attend a ceremony at the Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh on 26th January to collect the Scottish Green Apple Environment Award for the Climate Risk Register Guide and Tool.
Rory Hill, Borders College’s Sustainability Project Manager, said:
“This is a great example of how collaborating with partners can achieve meaningful change. By developing the climate change risk register at Borders College we were able to create something innovative to help ensure our College is resilient to climate change, one of the greatest threats to our society. EAUC’s work to share this with Scotland’s other colleges and universities, winning a Green Apple Award in the process, is deserved recognition of Borders College’s pro-active, sector-leading approach to climate risk sustainability.”
Robert Hewitt, Director of Estates and Facilities at Borders College, said:
“Completing the climate risk register helped us to identify further actions for the College to take to better understand how climate change will impact our operations, such as updating our flood risk assessments. It has also prompted increased communication around adaptation and climate risks with staff and senior management.”
Matthew Woodthorpe, Scotland Director at EAUC, said:
“It is a great privilege to have been awarded a Scottish Green Apple Environment Award for the sector climate risk resources. These resources are a direct result of collaboration with Borders College, strategic investment from SFC and dedication from the EAUC Scotland staff team. We are proud to be part of a sector that has continued to innovate and collaborate for sustainability, despite significant financial pressures.”