A ground-breaking new Centre for Sustainable Practice and Living has been launched at the University of Stirling.
A unique collaboration between the University of Stirling and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Centre’s core objective is to inspire and empower communities to develop new pathways to achieve sustainable practice.
This new interdisciplinary centre, based in the Stirling Management School, will move to establish a sustainability leadership programme, inspiring leaders from across society to drive progress towards a more sustainable future.
Drawing on expertise from across the University, it will be an active hub for innovative research and education and provide a safe environment for collaborations between the civic, business and public sector.
Speaking at the 2020 Climate Group Summit at the University of Stirling, Scotland’s Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod, announced the establishment of the Centre.
She said: “We all need to do our bit for the environment and to tackle climate change. The Centre for Sustainable Practice and Living will bring together the public sector, academic research, business and environmental organisations to work collaboratively with communities towards a more sustainable future and a low carbon economy.”
Professor Sharon Bolton, Head of the Stirling Management School, Dean of Equality and Diversity and Professor of Organisational Analysis at the University of Stirling said: “Sustainability addresses the need to balance economy and enterprise, environment - in its widest sense - and society. The Centre aims to harness the creative tension between these three elements to bring about transformational change.
“The University of Stirling Management School adopts an holistic approach to sustainable practice, with a particular focus on sustainable business, sustainable societies and sustainable selves.Our philosophy is that effective management can make a positive difference, which means reaching into the heart of what is involved in the management and organisation of a diverse range of activities.
“This approach captures the complexities, dynamics and realities of involving and empowering a range of stakeholders in support of developing sustainable futures.”
Terry A’Hearn, SEPA Chief Executive, said: “The role of environment protection agencies is changing. We are no longer here simply to ensure compliance with regulations, but to work collaboratively with communities, businesses and other public bodies to make the most of the opportunities which top class environmental practice brings to achieve real and meaningful benefits for human health and well-being, and economic success, or in other words sustainability.
“The Centre will provide us with a unique vehicle to engage actively with prospective partners to better understand needs, aspirations and opportunities and make real progress in creating a more sustainable Scotland.”
For more information about the Centre, please contact the Centre Director Erik MacEachern by email to erik.maceachern@stir.ac.uk.
For any media enquiries, please contact: Senior Communications Officer David Christie on 01786 466653 or email david.christie1@stir.ac.uk
Notes for editors
- Background information
- Photos are available upon request.