Ministerial Visit Recognises University’s Green Credentials

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson MSP today (Monday 27th July) visited Queen Margaret University as part of a tour of East Lothian. He was welcomed on site by Vice Principal Rosalyn Marshall and Facilities Director Steve Scott who showed him some of the initiatives that have won the university international recognition of its environmentally sustainable campus. Mr Stevenson was joined on the tour by Alan Blackie and David Berry of East Lothian Council.

Commenting on the visit Rosalyn Marshall said;

“"We were delighted to welcome Mr Stevenson to our award winning campus and we were very proud to show him around some of the ground breaking environmental design and technology that has put us at the forefront of sustainability in the sector."

This year the new campus has won a prestigious Green Gown award for sustainable ICT, and also achieved highly commended for the building of its sustainable campus. The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being taken by the UK’s education institutions.

The institution was also presented with an international Green Apple Award, an annual accolade in recognition of building projects which enhance the built environment. The Green Apple Awards campaign is run by the Green Organisation, an independent non-political, non-profit organisation that recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice.

Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said:

“I am pleased to be visiting Queen Margaret University which has gained international recognition of its environmentally sustainable new campus. Following the publication of our Climate Change Bill, Scotland is now acting as a model of good practice in tackling climate change and the innovative approach taken in constructing QMU only serves to raise our environmental profile on both the domestic and international stage.”

QMU’s new campus sets benchmark standards for sustainable building in the higher education sector. The design has secured a BREEAM* ‘Excellent’ rating; with exemplar achievements in efficiency of space utilization and energy consumption, and in ‘green’ transport planning.