College of West Anglia Wins National Environmental Award

The College of West Anglia (CWA) has won the coveted ‘Carbon Reduction’ category at the 2017 Green Gown Awards. 

This award recognises the incredible work of the college in reducing its carbon footprint since 2010 through a programme of investing in new state-of-the-art buildings, refurbishments, solar panels, an electric car, biomass boilers, air-source heat pumps and LED lighting, to name but a few. In 2016, CWA exceeded all expectations by making an enormous 15% reduction in one year, and reaching a total carbon reduction of 51% since the project began.

Katherine Middleton, energy and environment officer; Paul Harrison, vice principal, and Catherine Kimmet, head of property services attended the glitzy award ceremony at The Monastery in Manchester. The college received a unique handcrafted trophy made from waste cuts of plate window glass.

Katherine Middleton said: “As the only college shortlisted in our category of eight finalists, we are immensely proud of our achievement.  It showcases the investment and hard work that has been put into improving the college’s estate over the past few years and puts us at the forefront of the education sector.”

David Pomfret, CWA principal and chief executive added: “This highly prestigious award recognises that, in just six years, we have halved our carbon footprint, transformed our learning and working environment and significantly reduced our ongoing energy usage and costs.”

Established in 2004, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland.  The Awards are administered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and are governed by a cross agency steering group.