How to set up and environmental champion network

1. How to set up and environmental champion network Denise Shearman Head of Campus Services, University of Reading

2. Generating senior buy in & strategy development How do you get senior management switched on?

3. Professor Tony Downes, Acting Vice-Chancellor “I have been proud and delighted to be involved with our carbon management plan, and especially with the work of our environmental champions. As a University carrying out world-leading research into climate change we are acutely aware of the need for us all to take significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint. It has been immensely pleasing and not a little humbling to see the efforts that staff and students have made, encouraged and pushed by our large team of environmental champions, to make a real difference. Of course, it is important that the commitment at the top of the University, the message in our deeds and not just our words, and the resource to make things happen, are all there to back up their efforts. But the reality is that mobilizing our people into signing up and joining in was surprisingly easy, such was the enthusiasm to make a contribution.”

4. Key Drivers • Reputation • Money – income and expenditure • Legal Compliance • Academic research and excellence

5. First Steps • Background reading • Corporate plan • League tables • Student societies • Committee structure • Academic subjects taught • Key players • Who’s who • Willing volunteers? • Approach like minded colleagues to champion the cause

6. Strategy • Policies • Committee Structure • Procedures

7. Implementation • Draw up job description for the role of Environmental Champion • Resources – what will be required to roll out the network • Funding requirements • Benefits • Communication

8. Summary of Top Tips • Understand your university – what are the key drivers and how would a network of environmental champions assist in that? • Get individual members of the senior management team on board • Ensure you have the capacity and funding to support a network • Build momentum from staff and students • Ensure you have a communications strategy and ongoing support for the network

10. Questions