The IES would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists of this year's Green Gown Awards, however we extend a special applause to our CHES accredited universities who took home a number of awards and commendations. Since 2004, the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC) have organised the Green Gown Awards to celebrate exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by institutions across the UK and Ireland.  These awards have become the most prestigious recognition of environment and sustainability best practice within the further and higher education sector.

Three CHES accredited institutions were winners at this year's awards:

• University of West England (UWE) – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability
• Brunel University – Next Generation Learning & Skills
• University of Aberdeen – Cool Farm Tool - Research with Impact 

CHES accredited institutions that were Highly Commended were:

• University of Derby – Benefitting Society
• University of Plymouth – Benefitting Society
• University of Reading - Campus Health, Food & Drink
• University of Edinburgh - Money for Good
• University of Reading - Next Generation Learning & Skills
• University of West of England (UWE) - Tomorrow's Employees
• University of Aberdeen: The Lighthouse Field Station - Research with Impact 
• University of Nottingham: The Trent Bay Community Energy Scheme - Research with Impact 
   

With awards and commendations for individuals from University of Edinburgh, Jiacheng Sun, and University of West of England (UWE), Rupert Gale, for the Student Research with Impact award and from The University of Nottingham, Lee Hibbett, and University of West of England (UWE), Dr Verity Jones, for Staff Sustainability Champion award. 

CHES accredited institutions were well-represented among the finalists as well, including Keele University, University of Sheffield, University of Worcester, University of St Andrews, University of Exeter,  University of Greenwich, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Gloucestershire and Nottingham Trent University.

Congratulations again to all the winners and those highly commended. To see the full list of award winners download the Winners' Brochure on the Green Gown Awards website.

Support Science-led Environmental Education
If you deliver environmental science programmes (or other science based environmental programme) at your institution, and want to join the largest environmental science accreditation scheme in the world and give your students free membership to the IES, please do get in touch with Rebecca at education@the-ies.org or visit CHES to find out more information about Programme Accreditation.