UQ celebrated World Environment Day today by recognising the significant contribution of its 100 Green Office representatives to its many sustainability programs and initiatives across all four campuses.
UQ Executive Director (Operations) and University Secretary Maurie McNarn presented awards to representatives from UQ's “greenest” areas at an event this morning.
Mr McNarn, who chairs the University’s Sustainability Steering Committee, said the University was providing leadership in the face of national and global challenges linked to sustainability.
“We are bolstered in this endeavour by highly motivated students and staff,” he said.
The Sustainability Steering Committee was established in 2009 and operates to embed sustainability into learning, discovery and engagement at the University.
Mr McNarn said the University could be proud of the many initiatives in the sustainability area, including the establishment of the Global Change Institute, setting of University-wide carbon objectives, and next month’s launch of a 1.22 megawatt PV Array, the largest of its kind in Australia.
The Green Office program plays an important role in driving sustainable work practices throughout the office environment at The University of Queensland.
The program, established in 2006, is an initiative where UQ staff promote good environmental practices in their work area.
It operates through a network of green office representatives in UQ schools, centres and administrative units and is run by the Sustainability Office in the Property and Facilities Division.
The winner of the Best New Green Office Award with the highest baseline assessment for this financial year, with an overall Green Office Rating Score of 77 per cent is UQ’s Assurance & Risk Management Service (representative Edla Ward).
Ms Ward said leadership came from the top and her division was very fortunate to have a boss (Phil Procopis) who was very supportive of sustainability initiatives.
The runner-up was the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, represented by Ann Dunn and Purnima Gunness.
The new Green Office Awards for the Most Motivated Representative and Best Green Office Initiative recognise an outstanding contribution towards achieving sustainability at UQ.
Recipients of these awards will receive $500 towards purchasing environmentally-preferred office products through the Property & Facilities Central Store for their area.
Justine Greig, representative for the Office of Marketing and Communications, is this year’s winner of the Best Green Office Initiative Award; and Suzanne Manning, representative for the Institute for Molecular Bioscience was highly commended.
Ms Greig, who is the OMC Events and Sponsorship Manager said: “It’s the small things that make a big difference at events.
“Changing practices, like introducing biodegradable water bottles, environmentally friendly merchandise and recycling signage can make a significant difference in the long run and have in some instances led to cost savings too. Everybody wins.”
Michael Biscak, representing UQ International, won the Most Motivated Representative Award, and Edla Ward, representative for the Assurance and Risk Management Services Section, was highly commended.
Mr Biscak said his recommendation for sustainability success was to “take ownership of your behaviour — look at the big picture.”
To find out more about the program, please visit the UQ Sustainability website.
Media: Jan King at UQ Communications (0413 601 248).
