WISE Up To A Sustainable Future

Centre for Alternative Technology launches its new eco-educational facility.

The Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) is CATs new, state of the art sustainable building. WISE will provide tens of thousands of people the opportunity to gain vital skills in emerging environmental technologies through its Graduate School of the Environment and short courses.

Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly Minister for the Environment who opened the building said “education and training are at the heart of our efforts to build a more sustainable future for Wales, which is why the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education’s role in delivering high quality training and education is so important.

WISE combines renewable technologies with natural building materials such as rammed earth, hemp and lime with intelligent architecture to achieve a light, warm, energetic building that  exudes a sense of well-being. The building design utilises energy efficient glazing to enhance natural day-lighting and passive heat gain, meaning that energy requirements are minimal. Waste and water systems are designed using natural zero energy treatment.

Paul Allen, Director of CAT said CAT is a world-class training centre with 35 years of expertise and working examples of sustainable technologies. No organisation is better placed to deliver training essential to tackle climate change, no building is better built to host that training.

The day began with the opening of a forest garden dedicated to Margaret Shepperd a long-term friend and supporter of CAT.  Followed by an official opening of  WISE and speeches from Jane Davidson, Lord Elis Thompsom, Presiding officer National Assembly of Wales  and Sir John Houghton Former chair of the IPCC and Met office.

June 12th will be an open day at the CAT, come along and enjoy a day of celebration.
For photographs of the launch or more information please contact the CAT press office on 01654 705 957 or email kim.bryan@cat.org.uk