Tackling the Climate Emergency in Further and Higher Education

Awareness of climate change is at its highest ever and continues to grow, as are pledges to tackle a climate emergency by countries, companies and Universities.  With an increasing challenge within higher education to prioritise action that is authentic, impactful and inclusive.
 
In this hour long webinar, we will look at current trends and best practice in relation to net zero pledges by universities; changes within sustainability leadership; connecting students, staff, the university and the business work for systemic solutions; the importance of an ambitious goal and demonstrating progress; and the opportunity to look beyond zero. 

You will also be given plenty of time to ask our panel your questions. 

Speakers:
Jon Khoo, Regional Sustainability Manager, Interface
Alex Ryan, Director of Sustainability, University of Gloucestershire
Fiona Goodwin, Director of Operations and Planning , EAUC

You can now see the recording of this session here

Speaker Biographies:
JON KHOO, Regional Sustainability Manager (UKIME & NORDICS), Interface
Jon's focus is on sustainability, inclusive business and intrapreneurship. He specialises in the commercialisation of Interface’s sustainability initiatives and response to the current climate emergency, such as its mission Climate Take Back – to run its business in a way that reverses the effects of global warming.
 
He was a key part of developing Interface and the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) Net-Works TM partnership, a community-based supply chain for discarded fishing nets that provides access to finance and seeks to provide long term conservation benefits. Net-Works was awarded the Guardian Sustainable Business Award in 2015 for Collaboration and the 2016 US State Department Award for Corporate Excellence (Sustainable Oceans Management).
 
He is also part of the team responsible for Interface’s membership of NextWave, an open-source initiative led by Dell and Lonely Whale to engage corporates, scientists, and NGOs to figure out how to integrate ocean-bound plastics into products in a way that is both scalable and sustainable.
 
Jon currently serves on the trustee board of UK environmental charity, Surfers Against Sewage.

Dr Alex Ryan, Director of Sustainability, University of Gloucestershire
Alex leads sustainability development at the University of Gloucestershire and has overseen its rise to 1st place in the People and Planet league of all UK universities on sustainability. She was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2017 for enhancing student learning in sustainability through innovative teaching practice, across her institution and in the wider sector.

Alex is a senior manager at the University, responsible for policy and performance in both corporate and academic portfolios, and serves as Director of RCE Severn, its Regional Centre of Expertise in sustainability education, part of the global network acknowledged by the United Nations University. Her work includes commissions with agencies and institutions across the UK, as well as international collaboration projects, and she was a member of the expert group that developed guidelines on sustainability education for the Quality Assurance Agency and Higher Education Academy. 

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts with over 12 years teaching experience and has published on various aspects of learning and change for sustainability.
www.sustainability.glos.ac.uk

 

Tackling the Climate Emergency in Higher Education