Respected environmental campaigner honoured in ceremony at Durham Cathedral
We are delighted to announce that Maggie Bosanquet has received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Durham University, recognising her significant contribution to environmental sustainability and low carbon initiatives. Maggie has been instrumental in establishing and building links between the Durham Energy Institute and Durham County Council to deliver low carbon energy solutions in County Durham.
Jon Gluyas, Director of the Durham Energy Institute, led the tributes to Maggie, saying “Maggie has created and led a phenomenally effective ‘low carbon team’ at Durham County Council since before we met some 8 or 9 years ago; a team acknowledged by the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as nationally leading in the quest for zero carbon. But it isn’t just Durham County Council who are driven by Maggie. Her contribution to the development and success and mission of Durham Energy Institute is also without parallel. Maggie is currently serving her third term as an advisor to DEI. Maggie has been a super-advocate for the work we have doing on decarbonisation of heat and it is thanks to her that most of the regions councils look to DEI to help them deliver low carbon heat.”
About Maggie Bosanquet
Maggie has been an environmental campaigner since 1989 and has led Durham County Council’s Sustainability Team since 1995 supporting local, national and international partnership initiatives. She is a well respected figure who is passionate about her work and has established the Regional Energy Officers Group and the Climate Emergency Strategic Board. Maggie is a long standing and active member of the Durham Energy Institute’s Advisory Board, providing knowledge and strategic advice to this institute.
Maggie said of her award “I’m absolutely overwhelmed and speechless (which is very rare!) to receive such an incredible honour. This is the pinnacle of my career and it means the world to me. I’ve been working closely with Durham University and especially the Durham Energy Institute for many years now as we jointly battle to tackle the climate emergency. From cutting edge research to student placements, joint projects and local opportunities like heating local homes as using heat from abandoned coal, we are working together to make a difference.”