University making good progress in cutting energy use
Release Date 15 November 2011
Hundreds of students and staff at the University of Reading took part in a week-long series of events and activities to underline the University's commitment to becoming even greener.
Green Week 2011 kicked off on Monday, November 7, when dozens of staff, students and children from the University's on-site nursery came together to form a huge message, lining up to write 35% UoR' on the green grass of the sports pitches beside Whiteknights House.
The message was a reference to the University's commitment to cut its energy use by a massive 35% by 2015.
The University has embarked on a complete review of its energy use, including in electricity, heating, transport, waste, buildings and services, in a bid to cut its impact on the environment. Green Week, the third annual event of its kind, aims to involve as many of the University's 18,000 students and 4,000 staff in the process as possible.
The University has already reported a cut in its energy use of 10%, meaning it is already more than a quarter of the way in reaching its goal. The University has also identified projects that will deliver two-thirds of its planned 35% reduction of its carbon footprint.
Among other events, Green Week included special talks and lectures, free breakfast for cyclists, volunteering events, and public walks and volunteering opportunities in the historic Harris Garden.
The University of Reading is globally recognised for its outstanding research in areas that include climate change, sustainability, food science and agriculture. Its main Whiteknights campus in Reading was voted this year as one of the top open spaces in the UK.
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For more details, contact Pete Castle, University of Reading press office, on 0118 378 7391 or email p.castle@reading.ac.uk.