Sustainable LSE London School of Economics and Political Science

Contributor(s): LSE staff and students | A brief taste of some of the aspects that are contributing to the overall sustainability of LSE. Video produced for the Green Gowns Award 2014, shortlisted for the category of Institutional Change: Continuous Improvement.

Contributor(s): Dr Victoria Hands, Elizabeth Thomas, Andrew Farrell, Julian Robinson, Allan Blair, Professor Martin Loughlin, Vic Finnigan, Justine Rose, Helen Cocker, Lukas Slothuus, Jessica Enabulele, Chantal Beaudoin | The RETHINK Film demonstrates the LSE’s three steps to promoting positive behaviour change for sustainability. First, to co-create with stakeholders and pilot solutions. Second, to provide a business case with relevant indicators and third, to provide clear instructions, training and engagement with all stakeholders in fun and interactive ways to make desired behaviour easy. RETHINK is a key addition to the traditional waste management principles asking us to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE waste into resources. If we RETHINK, we pause and consider the impact of our actions and decisions on the environment and communities around us. To RETHINK implies questioning and adapting our current ways of thinking and doing, it implies behaviour change in order not only to minimise negative impact but to bring about positive impact. To RETHINK often means to innovate and to think outside the box. The LSE's RETHINK Strategy is delivered by the Sustainability Team with the support of senior management and key colleagues across the School, including the Communications Unit. LSE RETHINK uses informative, instructive and fun tools such as site visits, animation films, and interactive games to encourage desirable behaviour. LSE stakeholders are invited to participate in or design with us tools that bring about measurable continuous improvement as we RETHINK our day to day activities to bring about positive impact.

Contributor(s): Dr Victoria Hands, Kat Thorne, Sara Kassam, Margerita Moscoso, Hannah Smith, John Bailey, Richard Woods, Adam Wilkinson | LSE chairs the London Universities Environment Group, open to staff from London's HE and FE institutions who work on environmental sustainability. Mission Statement The Group sees a clear role for itself to contribute to achieving sustainable development in the Higher Education (HE) sector in Greater London and in particular in contributing to achieving HEFCE's vision which the Group shares : "Our vision is that, within the next 10 years, the Higher Education sector will be recognised as a major contributor to society's efforts to achieve sustainability - through the skills and knowledge that its graduates learn and put into practice, and through its own strategies and operations" - Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), 2005 The Group aims to do this by: Promoting the principles and practices of Sustainable Development (SD) within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) via support to its members on a range of issues specified in the Terms of Reference.
Identifying and sharing information from members and relevant partners to support the Group aims, including the potential for collaboration with relevant partners, potential funding and events of interest
Raising and maintaining awareness of the potential for Greater London HEIs to contribute to SD amongst all Greater London HEIs, and with all their stakeholders and wider where appropriate.

Contributor(s): Peter Jones | Peter Jones provides a comprehensive overview of the waste industry in London. He presents his view of the future where waste becomes valued as resource.

Contributor(s): Professor Lord Stern of Brentford | Nick Stern takes a macro view of the economics of climate change and promotes the role of zero waste projects, such as end of term reuse schemes in halls of residence, to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions. He advocates taking responsibility in every sector and at the local level to take advantage of the opportunities a green economy offers to save money and cut CO2.

Contributor(s): Professor Lord Stern of Brentford, Sir Howard Davies, Dr Victoria Hands and others | This 10-minute film is targeted at University and College senior management teams including Vice Chancellors, Estates Directors Residence Directors and Facilities Managers in Halls of Residence. It demonstrates the business and sustainability case for reuse and seeks to inspire action and leadership on implementing or expanding reuse schemes and moving towards zero waste. This film identifies the simple steps for delivering successful reuse schemes in halls of residence.