Sustainability at RCS

Sustainability takes centre stage at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. As the nation’s conservatoire, we are committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations.

We recognise that we have a responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment, which is why a range of measures are in place across the institution to enhance and improve the sustainability of our estate.

They include:

• Ensuring we reduce our carbon footprint year-on-year
• RCS is now in the final stages of both divesting from direct holdings in oil, gas and mining and also investing up to 15% in companies specialising in renewable energy.
• Delivering a long-running LED light installation programme that is significantly more energy efficient.
• Gaining approval in principle to introduce the first phase of solar energy at the Renfrew Street campus.
• Operating a campus energy monitoring system and motion sensor lighting.
• Committing zero waste to landfill.
• Subscribing to the Caledonian Forest scheme and planting trees to the equivalent of the paper we consume.
• Cycle Friendly Campus Award from Cycling Scotland that recognises our commitment to encouraging and promoting cycling as a healthy, sustainable mode of transport for all.

Our Sustainability Committee reports to the RCS Academic Board and the Board of Governors with goals to increase awareness, visibility and accountability of sustainable practice across our community. The committee has representation from across learning and teaching, the Students’ Union, central production, estates and professional services. We also have a representative from Creative Carbon Scotland.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “There is, of course, much work to be done to ensure RCS aligns with and meets sustainable development goals here in Scotland and also internationally.  However, there is already good progress across a range of areas.

For RCS to continue to be successful and more ambitious in our goals will require a whole community effort.

“Environmental sustainability is also an important part of our creative practice and a task force has been established to bring together the wide range of artistic activity taking place across RCS as we head towards the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), arguably the most important gathering of nations on climate taking place in Glasgow in November.”

The RCS Sustainability Committee welcomes all suggestions from students and staff to further the sustainability of our campus and how we operate. It’s also keen to learn from other organisations, share ideas, and good practice.

Contact sustainability@rcs.ac.uk