The University of Edinburgh Department for Social Responsibility & Sustainability

We’re proud to be an Official Nominator for the notable The Earthshot Prize 2025. Official Nominators are part of a global network, selected for their ability to identify the most impactful solutions to repairing and regenerating our planet. We’re delighted to have nominated Exergy3 Limited, Rhizocore Technologies, Space Intelligence and Waterwhelm. These remarkable spinouts and staff startups from The University of Edinburgh are ready to tackle Earthshot’s five ambitious and universal goals for 2030 that, if achieved, will repair the planet before irreversible damage occurs: • Protect and Restore Nature • Clean our Air • Revive our Oceans • Build a Waste-Free World • Fix our Climate Watch this space! Old College Capital | Bayes Centre | EIE | Edinburgh Earth Initiative | College of Science and Engineering, The University of Edinburgh | School of GeoSciences | College of Science and Engineering, The University of Edinburgh | The University of Edinburgh Department for Social Responsibility & Sustainability | Amy Rafferty | Andrea Taylor | Hannah Dent | Simon D. | Danny Helson #earthshotprize #earthshotnominator

🙌 Meet our 2024/25 Earth Fellows cohort! 🌎 Back in November, we formally welcomed our latest cohort of 14 Earth Fellows - a vibrant and supportive network of students from across levels of study, disciplines, and countries, representing all three colleges at The University of Edinburgh. Now growing into its third year, the Earth Fellows programme provides paid opportunities for postgraduate and PhD students to work on projects of strategic importance related to climate, environment, and sustainability. The focus of the Fellows’ work this year ranges from ensuring the University is able to engage effectively with both Biodiversity and Climate COP, to looking at the connection between gentrification and urban food growing in Edinburgh and supporting efforts to meaningfully embed climate and sustainability in the curriculum. Partners include Learning for Sustainability Scotland, the School of Social and Political Sciences, the School of GeoSciences, the University of Edinburgh - School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, the The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, the Institute of Infrastructure and Environment, the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the Curriculum transformation programme and the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes. 👏 Meet our brilliant Earth Fellows and find out more about their collaborative, interdisciplinary projects ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eSt6CmdR Alys Daniels-Creasey I Beth Pottle I Esther Githinji I Freya Buckley I Jennifer Salmon I Juliet Booker I Kaia Waxenberg I Katherine Taylor I Katherine Troeller I Mai Li Spencer I Masood Rehman I Nick Wray I Rachel Carlile I Rachel Sharp 📷 Andrew Perry at Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

Take a journey through Drumbrae 🗺️ Our interactive Storymap invites you to explore the transformation of Drumbrae, one of our three owned sites in Scotland. Discover the sites rich archaeology, listen to birdsong from species discovered on site, and explore the thoughtful woodland design shaping its future. As part of our work, we’re enhancing biodiversity, uncovering new educational and research opportunities, and creating a space where nature and community thrive together. 📖 Explore the Storymap: https://lnkd.in/eNuT_W39 #UoEForestandPeatland #Biodiversity #Sustainability #UoETakeAction 

Meet Community Ranger Julie Wilson, who’s been building connections with local groups across our sites and strengthening ties between nature and community 🌿 Julie’s work plays a vital role in ensuring our projects reflect the needs and values of the people who live nearby. Over the last 18 months, we’ve held public consultations at three of our sites to gather local input for our woodland designs. With 226 people sharing their views and 87% of respondents feeling positive about our plans, we know that collaboration leads to stronger, more meaningful outcomes. By working with local groups, our goal is to create spaces that are not only sustainable, but also meet the needs of local people, through preserving historical features and creating recreational and educational opportunities.  🎥 Watch the video to see our work in action! Got a question? Reach out to community.ranger@ed.ac.uk #CommunityEngagement #UoEForestandPeatland #UoETakeAction

Welcome to our new Forest and Peatland Programme Manager! 👋 🌱 This week as part of our Forest and Peatland campaign, we're shining a light on the brilliant team and the roles that they play in delivering the programme. We’re thrilled to introduce David Bruce, who has recently joined the team to lead our efforts in managing this ambitious programme. David is a Forester and has a passion for woodland management and conservation, and he brings a wealth of expertise to this important role. 🔗 Read more about David’s approach to forestry and the Forest and Peatland programme: https://lnkd.in/eMnZrN7e Join us in welcoming David to The University of Edinburgh community! #UoEForestandPeatland #UoETakeAction

The University of Edinburgh has been ranked 2nd in the UK and 7th in the world for sustainability in the QS World University Rankings! 💚 🏆   This recognition celebrates our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability—embedding these values in our teaching and research, generating renewable energy on campus, and supporting our local communities.    "This year’s rankings reflect the dedication of our staff and students to creating impactful solutions for a sustainable future. We continue to be inspired by our communities as we address the emergencies of climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality. Going forward, we will strive to embed regenerative sustainability across all that we do." - Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability   Find out how we’re leading on sustainability and how you can get involved: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e-XK-fTi   #QSWorldRankings #ExtraordinaryEdinburgh #UoETakeAction

📰 University embarks on rewilding journey with community charity     The University of Edinburgh's Forest and Peatland programme has joined forces with Kinloch Woodlands to embark on an inspiring rewilding journey in the Scottish Highlands. This pioneering partnership is believed to be the first in Scotland where an educational institution delivers natural capital benefits —social and economic gains from nature — directly to a community landowner. #UoEForestandPeatland #UoETakeAction #Partnerships 

Over the last year, through The University of Edinburgh's Forest and Peatland programme, we’ve proudly partnered with a range of organisations and landowners.    Working together we will create new woodlands, restore vital peatlands across Scotland, and champion sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet. By sharing resources and expertise, we'll transition land and support climate mitigation through 50 years of decarbonisation. 🌱💚    Every partnership is unique, but each one shares a commitment to:    - Revitalise Scotland’s ecosystems  - Enhance biodiversity  - Capture carbon to combat climate change  - Support communities through engagement and sustainable land management    Thank you to our partners for making this work possible:    Scottish Forestry, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Kinloch Woodlands SCIO, TreeStory, Shepherd and Wedderburn, Penicuik Estate, Ardtornish, Ardchattan Priory Gardens, Atholl Estates, Strathbran Estate, Landfor    🔗 Discover how we’re working together: https://lnkd.in/eWinGBcB   #UoEForestandPeatland #UoETakeAction #Partnerships

  As many of us turn our focus to decorating festive trees, at The University of Edinburgh, we’re equally excited about planting trees to create new woodlands and restore peatlands across Scotland 🌱🌲    The University of Edinburgh’s Forest and Peatland Programme supports our mission to create a better world and achieve net zero carbon by 2040. This December, we’re sharing reflections on our progress over the last year, celebrating some milestones and looking forward to the opportunities and challenges to come.  Follow along as we share some of our key achievements and insights throughout the month. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJFURaZP   #UoEForestandPeatland #UoETakeAction 

Fully funded PhD studentships – apply now! 🌟 Shape the future of Scotland's forests and peatlands with one of three fully funded, 4-year PhD studentships. 📚 What’s included: - Specialist focus areas: Biodiversity, Social Impact, and Carbon. - Stipend and research grants. - Gain hands-on experience with our ‘living lab’ model. - Bespoke training to explore social & environmental impacts. Your work will directly contribute to sustainable practices for forests and peatlands 🌳 🔗 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/ePAmBw5h #PhDOpportunity #Sustainability #UoEForestandPeatland #Biodiversity #ForestResearch #PeatlandRestoration #Biodiversity #SocialImpact