Strathclyde's innovation centreawarded Gold status by Green Tourism
The University of Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre has been awarded Gold status by Green Tourism, the highest accreditation for member organisations.
A Green Tourism Award demonstrates a commitment towards people, places and the planet and assessors who visited the world-class research centre scored it an impressive 83.7 per cent.
The conference and event centre's environmentally friendly credentials were praised in the assessment report. Comments included that the ‘visitor procurement choices are very green' and the centre has ‘a strong green team in place', as well as identifying opportunities for further development and improvement.
The landmark £89 million centre was formally opened by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 2015. Developed with industry, for industry, it attracts leading partners to work side-by-side with academics in the heart of Glasgow City Innovation District. It is known for helping to make businesses more competitive, accelerating the pace of research and development, attracting inwards investment to the city, and supporting the development of highly-qualified graduates and postgraduates.
Gordon Hodge, Head of Conferencing and Events at the University of Strathclyde, said: "This award is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our sustainability group, with unwavering support, advice and input from our fantastic colleagues in the Sustainable Strathclyde team.
"The building only opened in 2015 and we are proud to have achieved the Gold standard in such a relatively short period of time.
"It wouldn't have been possible without that group's commitment and vision and as a University committed to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, we are excited to develop our sustainability agenda even further."
Green Tourism is the largest sustainable certification scheme of its kind in the world.
It covers all aspects of sustainability, from energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity to social and ethical choices.
Advisors visit each member every two to three years to assess them against a range of criteria relevant to their business type, and award a grading.
The Gold award is given to members who are seen as ‘inspirational and outstanding' and who achieve the highest standards of sustainability.
Earlier this month TIC's Conferencing Team also picked up the bronze award in the Best Academic category at the Meeting & Incentive Travel Awards - recognised as the business tourism sector's ‘Oscars', and voted for by more than 4,500 meetings industry professionals across the UK.
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Notes for Editor: For more information please contact Lynn McPherson at the University of Strathclyde. E. lynn.mcpherson100@strath.ac.uk T. 0141 548 4941