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Corporate Social Responsibility
Professor Bill McKelvey, SAC Chief Executive And Principal (opens in new window)
Meet Our Chief Executive And Principal
SAC is a business that is leading developments in the rural sector. Our customers, staff, students and stakeholders all seek ways to improve rural livelihoods and the environment that we enjoy.
As an organisation we take our role in environmental research, consultancy and learning very seriously. In research we are tackling the causes of climate change. Practical advice on carbon reductions, prudent energy management and the care of our landscape are key SAC activities across Scotland.
We invest in learning for our staff and students to improve our professional standards of service and help the next generation of environmental stewards.
SAC has over 100 years of working with our staff and stakeholders. Listening to the evolving needs of our customers and leading new academic and business developments are the founding principles of our integrated services. Beyond our business activities, SAC staff contribute to the fabric and well-being of communities across Scotland and beyond through charitable endeavours and more.
It is our ambition to fully meet the environmental and economic challenges that face rural communities in the 21st century bringing benefits to staff and stakeholders alike.
Professor Bill McKelvey
Key Achievements
Business
- £1m “GREEN COW” equipment funding to study the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock
- Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education gave SAC the highest possible grading of its management of academic standards and quality of the student learning experience
- Opening of our new offices in York and Kendal
- Publication of 'Rural Scotland in Focus'
- SAC's Environmental Focus Farm project activity has continued with particular emphasis on slurry management and soil erosion
- New research explains how cow and badger behaviour might spread Bovine TB
Environment
- Managing our carbon footprint effectively via energy, travel, waste and water policies
- Established the Scottish Government's initiative Farming for a Better Climate
- Completion of environmental audits on all SAC land
- Our management practices have been adapted to enhance the environment for a number of threatened species
- Overall energy savings of 5.67% have been achieved resulting in reduced CO2 emissions of 5.46% from 2008/09 levels
- SAC half-hourly electricity supply is currently agreed as 100% green source.
SAC And The Environment
SAC’s vision is to be a leader of innovation and sustainable development in the land-based sector.
SAC And Communities
Helping Others: Overseas
SAC continued to strengthen its international links during the year, signing a memorandum of understanding with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore.
SAC And Business
SAC is an innovative, knowledge-based organisation supporting the development of land-based industries and communities.
SAC's Views
SAC has expertise ranging across the fields of agriculture, environment and rural development.

