The University last week claimed two new awards to add to its collection of sustainability prizes, receiving recognition from the Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice.

Presented at an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, London, on November 11, the University was recognised among the UK’s greenest organisations for its Travel and Carbon Reduction initiatives, competing against more than 500 other nominations.

The Green Apple Awards, supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and other independent bodies, began in 1994 and have become established as the country’s major recognition for environmental endeavour among companies, councils, communities and countries.

Birmingham scientists and researchers work closely with our professional services to ensure that research best practice in sustainability underpins our on-campus business operation. Our pioneering work in Hydrogen fuel cell technology, which supports a fleet of University vehicles was one reason behind this latest recognition.

Our academic and operational staff have joined forces to embed and encourage alternative powered vehicles on campus, from electric and hybrid to hydrogen fuel, the fleet’s carbon fuel consumption has been reduced by 25% over the past ten years.

The university’s commitment to carbon reduction extends from the business fleet to travel support for staff, encouraging greener vehicles supported by onsite infrastructure for the growing number of electric vehicles and a salary sacrifice scheme to support purchasing.

The Birmingham Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research is nationally and internationally recognised for its dynamism and expertise in fuel cell technologies. The Centre focuses on research and development, applications and demonstrations of fuel cell and hydrogen systems and technologies.

Birmingham was the first university to open its own onsite hydrogen fuelling station in 2008 which supports a growing collection of vehicles including one of the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell fleet vehicles, a Hyundai ix35.