Green Week 2011 Big Shut Down results

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Staff and students gathered on the sports pitches to create this aerial photograph, which was taken using a remote controlled helicopter

Thanks to all those who took part in activities during Green Week 2011! Highlights of the week included: staff and students gathered to create an aerial photograph (see right), those who cycled and walked to campus were treated to free breakfast baps, the University's Environmental Champions attended an award ceremony and received prizes for all of the hard work they put in to the Green Impact Awards and over 400 people attended Dr Nick Klingaman's Public Lecture about extreme weather.

Whilst the University's Environment, Energy and Sustainability Team (EEST) has already identified over two thirds of the savings that need to be made to reach the 35% carbon reduction target by 2015, the remaining savings have to be down to the small day to day changes that can be made by individual members of staff and our students.

With this in mind, throughout Green Week, EEST monitored the electricity consumption of 23 buildings and sites to see if we are starting to make savings. Here are the results...

The good news is that compared to the same time last year, we used 10% less electricity in the week 7-13 November. However comparing Green Week to the week before (31 October - 6 November), the majority of buildings and sites used the same amount, if not more electricity.

Overall, Greenow and McCombie Halls, Whiteknights House, Chemistry, Hopkins, Food Bioscience and the Museum of English Rural Life at London Road were the only buildings to reduce their electricity consumption, whilst Blandford Lodge increased by 19%!

This shows that, whilst we are making some progress, there is still a huge amount of work to be done in all buildings across our campuses.

To help save energy at the University, remember to turn off computers and other equipment when not in use. This saves money as well as the environment as the following examples show:

• Resist the temptation to run electric heaters. We will each save £1.50 per week if you turn off an electric heater for two hours per day
• Turn off your computer when you go home, or even better, when you leave your desk for more than 30 minutes. That will equate to a saving of £1 per week per computer if you turn off for eight hours per 24 hour day
• Wear warmer clothes instead of turning up the heating. An increase of 1°C will raise our energy bills by 10%

In the near future, this data will be published on the Clean and Green website so you can closely track your buildings' performance.

If you'd like to become more involved in the University's energy saving efforts, why not become an Environmental Champion or consider participating in the Green Impact Awards in your department? Email eest@reading.ac.uk or visit www.greenimpact.org.uk/reading.

Watch a video from Green Week 2011 >>>