South Devon College goes global with green award nomination

Following the success of winning the prestigious Green Gown Award for UK Sustainability Institution of the Year last year, South Devon College is going global after being selected as a finalist for International Sustainability Institution of the Year.

The Green Gown Awards, now in their 21st year, are delivered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges and recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being taken by universities and colleges across the world. This year there are 97 finalists from 59 institutions and 27 countries.   

The college is a finalist for the International Sustainability Institution of the Year category and is up against  universities from Italy, Morocco, Malaysia and Australia in the category finals. 

Sustainability runs through the heart and curriculum of the college. A recent key milestone in sustainability provisions is the launch of the new Clean Energy Centre.

The college has a focus of training a future workforce in green skills, helping to meet the government’s net zero target for 2050.  

Matt Green, head of commercial services and sustainability, said: “The recognition is testament to the sustainable activities that are undertaken by both staff and students at the college.” 

The college is also a recent recipient of the ‘Planet Saver’ award from the Devon Chamber of Commerce, as part of the annual Devon Business Awards.

Laurence Frewin, principal, said: “To be recognised as the UK Sustainability Institution of the Year is an incredible accolade so to then go on to be a finalist on the international stage is just the icing on the cake.”