(L to R) John Frater, Operations Director for Keep Scotland Beautiful; Steve Burt, Senior Deputy Principal of the University of Stirling; Casey Riordan, International Student Intern; Keith Brown MSP; Lisa Holman, University Clerical Assistant; Mike Foster for Transport Scotland; and Simon Smith, University Learning & Development Advisor.
The University of Stirling has been awarded an electric bicycle in recognition of achieving the Gold Footprint Award for its carbon reduction efforts.
The bike was presented to the University by Minister for Housing and Transport, Keith Brown, on behalf of Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The work of the University echoes the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Economic Strategy (LCES), a key component of the broader approach to meet Scotland’s climate change targets and secure the transition to a low carbon economy in Scotland.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “We in the Scottish Government have set ambitious targets for reductions in carbon emissions and projects such as Stirling University's 'Limbo' challenge show that this is something the country is taking on-board.
"I congratulate the University for such creative thinking and for leading the way in doing all we can to help halt climate change. Active and sustainable travel methods will play a huge part in helping to cut our carbon emissions and make Scotland a healthier, greener and even more beautiful country than it is at present.
"Both cycling and electric vehicles are areas that we are working hard to promote and I look forward to seeing how this electric bike is put to best use to continue the University's fantastic work on this issue."
The Giant Escape 2 bike can be borrowed by staff members for up to two weeks at a time to encourage them to consider environmentally friendly modes of transport. Two similar bikes were successfully piloted at the University earlier this year as part of the University’s Low Carbon ‘Limbo’ Challenge, which aimed to engage all 1,400 staff in considering and lowering their use of transport, energy and waste - with the tagline ‘how low can you go’.
John Frater, Operations Director for Keep Scotland Beautiful, said the University had achieved “significant” carbon reduction as part of the project by adopting a “can-do attitude”.
He added: “We are delighted to award the University with our Gold Footprint Award and to present the top-of-the-range electric bicycle as a gift so staff can continue to borrow it.
“Stirling bravely took up our Low Carbon Challenge in 2010, demonstrating their leadership of the low carbon agenda by working closely with us to engage and influence staff to reduce carbon emissions.
Senior Deputy Principal and Chair of the Safety, Health and Environment Committee, Steve Burt, said: “The University is delighted to accept this fantastic bike and be awarded Gold Footprint Status. It is a great achievement and reflects the hard work of staff and students to improve our environmental impact. I am sure the bike will be well used.
“The University is fully committed to reducing its carbon emissions through implementation of a wide range of energy saving projects, including changes to the physical infrastructure and encouraging staff and students to save energy.”
Stirling tops the Carbon Reduction Commitment performance league table within the HE sector in Scotland and 16th within the UK HE sector as a whole.
Keep Scotland Beautiful is Scotland’s leading environmental charity working across Scotland, from Shetland to the Scottish Borders. It cleans up and helps to “green up” communities, schools and businesses. It works in partnership with all 32 of Scotland’s Local Authorities, 700 community groups, 3,850 of Scotland’s primary and secondary schools, over 100 businesses and has empowered in excess of 100,000 volunteers to assist in community action. Keep Scotland Beautiful is a committed partner of Government and shares in the government’s vision for Scotland to be a cleaner, greener, safer and more sustainable country. Its services and activities are estimated to reach at least 1 in 5 of Scotland’s population. Further information can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org