Queen’s flies flag for sustainability

Queen’s University Belfast continues to fly the flag for sustainability with yet another award recognising its success in making the most of its green spaces.

The university has once again been successful in retaining its Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Award for its main site.

In addition, it received a commendation in the inaugural NI Pollinator Awards for various activities undertaken across the university to encourage pollinators.

Operated by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, the Green Flag Award sets the benchmark for and recognises the environmental quality of parks and green spaces.

Head of Sustainability at Queen’s, Sara Lynch, said: “We are particularly proud that Queen’s has yet again been recognised for the work we do to sustain our green spaces.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that our heritage and green spaces are protected and promoted, and have taken practical measures to enhance biodiversity across our campus.

“From rainwater harvesting, swift nest box calling systems, solar, geothermal, green roofs to the use of local food and drink producers, we are always looking for ways to do more to support our environment.

“Our green spaces are a real asset to our university, our staff and our students and we are grateful for all the work put in by our teams across campus to ensure that we are maintaining high quality green spaces.”

Dr Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said: “When you visit a Green Flag site you can be reassured that the location is being managed to a really high standard as they’ve been through a rigorous judging process that assesses sites across a range of issues, including their horticultural standards, cleanliness, biodiversity and safety.

“It’s so encouraging, this year, to see councils, organisations and communities implementing such a wide variety of measures to help our pollinating insects which are severely under pressure.

“Some of the initiatives are bold and some are subtle, but all show great commitment to working with nature for the benefit of the environment and us all.”