University of Edinburgh Social Responsibility & Sustainability

The University of Edinburgh has been ranked 2nd in the UK and 7th in the world for sustainability in the QS World University Rankings! 💚 🏆   This recognition celebrates our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability—embedding these values in our teaching and research, generating renewable energy on campus, and supporting our local communities.    "This year’s rankings reflect the dedication of our staff and students to creating impactful solutions for a sustainable future. We continue to be inspired by our communities as we address the emergencies of climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality. Going forward, we will strive to embed regenerative sustainability across all that we do." - Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability   Find out how we’re leading on sustainability and how you can get involved: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e-XK-fTi   #QSWorldRankings #ExtraordinaryEdinburgh #UoETakeAction

**Deadline approaching** 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, call for nominations 🌊 Interested in shaping global ocean policy? 🌍 The University of Edinburgh is calling for five passionate individuals to represent the institution at the conference in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June. Any member of the University community who can meet the criteria at the link below is welcome to apply to be considered. The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Monday 31 March. More information: https://lnkd.in/eEEJ8VJ6 University of Edinburgh Social Responsibility & Sustainability I Edinburgh Climate Change Institute I Edinburgh Ocean Leaders I The University of Edinburgh I School of GeoSciences I College of Science and Engineering, The University of Edinburgh

Last Saturday Holyrood parkrun welcomed 30 volunteers from The University of Edinburgh community as part of the first ever UoE parkrun takeover. The takeover provided an excellent volunteering opportunity for students and staff to learn about the power of parkrun, lead event operations on the day, and give back to the local community. Holyrood parkrun which was founded by UoE staff member Jamie Thin in 2022, and funded by the university celebrated its 126th event and highlighted the positive impact parkrun can have on wellbeing and sense of belonging for local communities. The diverse University volunteer team included staff and students from Governance and Strategic Planning, Edinburgh Futures Institute, Edinburgh Global, Edinburgh Innovations, University of Edinburgh Social Responsibility & Sustainability, University of Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh School of Biological Sciences, Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, School of Mathematics, and Sport at Edinburgh. Find out how you can volunteer for future events 🔗 https://edin.ac/43tKELI

Rising venue costs make it tough for local organisations to find affordable spaces. That’s why we've launched a Community Access to Rooms initiative, offering free use of university spaces when not in use for teaching or research 🆓 Since 2022, we’ve provided over 3,400 hours of free meeting space, helped community groups save £27,000 and supported more than 100 local organisations 🤗 From refugee support to social action projects, we’re opening our doors to help local groups thrive. Could your organisation benefit? Find out more 👉 https://edin.ac/424XRIA University of Edinburgh Social Responsibility & Sustainability

📣 We will be launching our Scotland Beyond Net Zero seed fund very soon. 🌟 There's up to £15k available for projects which foster collaborations which maximise the impact of research & help drive towards net zero in Scotland. We welcome inter and cross-disciplinary applications from across the University, including arts, humanities, social and physical sciences. The scheme opens next week, when more details on how to apply, deadlines and eligibility will be available. 🌱 Projects submitted should involve collaboration and co-creation of research across at least two participating university members of Scotland Beyond Net Zero, and clear plans for engagement or partnership with at least one other organisation. 🤝 Participating universities for 2025 are: University of Aberdeen University of Dundee The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Napier University University of Glasgow University of St Andrews Robert Gordon University and University of Strathclyde. Research funding will go to academics from these participating universities. *update - now also Glasgow Caledonian University and Heriot-Watt University* 🌟 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Please visit https://lnkd.in/ee2zQrNH to sign up to our mailing list to receive details about the fund. 🐝 For some examples of projects we funded in last year's round, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ekKAPEeu Laura Tyler Amanda Skinner Lynn Balfour Dr Áine Ryan Laura Grant Emma Shea Fiona Deans Emma W. Georgios L. Jaime L. Toney Grainne Barkess Jennifer Clarke

📰 🌲 Today, we join the global community in celebrating the International Day of Forests. At The University of Edinburgh, we are committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Our partnerships with landowners, such as the Ardchattan Estate and Ardtornish Estate, focus on native woodland planting and peatland restoration, enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon.    In a recent piece for Times Higher Education, our Forest, Peatlands and Rural Land Manager David Bruce, discusses how these collaborations contribute to our sustainability goals. He shares insights on identifying and building relationships with landowners to adopt more sustainable practices.    Grab a cuppa and read the full article to learn more about our efforts and the importance of partnerships in achieving environmental sustainability. https://lnkd.in/e_UVa_4z   The University of Edinburgh | Times Higher Education | David Bruce | Charlie Davis | William Hawes | Sylvestris | ARDTORNISH ESTATE COMPANY LIMITED | Ardchattan Estate #InternationalDayOfForests #Sustainability #CarbonSequestration #UniversityOfEdinburgh #UoEForestandPeatland #NatureRestoration #NaturalCapital #Conservation

2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, call for nominations 🌊 Interested in shaping global ocean policy? 🌍 The University of Edinburgh is calling for five passionate individuals to represent us at the conference in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June. Students are highly encouraged to apply! The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Monday 31 March. More information: https://lnkd.in/eEEJ8VJ6 Edinburgh Earth Initiative

At Kinloch Woodlands in Wester Ross, nature is reclaiming its space 🌿 Through our partnership with Kinloch Woodlands, The University of Edinburgh is supporting woodland regeneration, helping forests expand through natural processes while creating space for research, teaching, and community engagement.   This stunning Partner Portrait beautifully captures Kinloch’s wild essence, its ancient trees, flourishing wildlife, and the people working to restore it. It’s a place where land and community grow together, showing what’s possible when we let nature lead. Kinloch is more than a restoration project, it’s a story of renewal, resilience, and the power of local stewardship. As part of our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040, we’re investing in projects that heal ecosystems and benefit communities. 🔗 Explore Kinloch’s story: https://lnkd.in/e7fW5jVd   SCOTLAND: The Big Picture #ForestandPeatland #Sustainability #NaturalCapital #CommunityPartnerships #UniversityOfEdinburgh 📸 Images by SCOTLAND: The Big Picture

🌟 We have improved ways to keep in touch with SBNZ and receive details of our activities. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Please visit https://lnkd.in/edUuYiEN where you can see options, including signing up to our mailing list to receive important updates, such as our forthcoming seed fund call. 🌎

Do you know a social impact or sustainability hero at The University of Edinburgh? It's time to celebrate their efforts! 🌟 🦸 The SRS Changemaker Award is accepting nominations! We're looking for individuals or groups who are truly making a positive impact in our community through socially responsible or sustainable projects, or by motivating others to get involved. Whether it's organising sustainability challenges, volunteering in the local community, or embedding climate awareness into teaching, we want to hear about it! 💚 Nominations are open until Monday 7 April ➡ http://edin.ac/changemaker #UoETakeAction #Changemaker #Sustainability #SocialImpact