The Countdown is on to our 35% carbon reduction target
Monday, 10 August 2015
This month sees the start of our biggest push yet to reduce the University's environmental impacts. This new financial year means we are entering the last year of our initial 35% carbon reduction target. Whether it's energy, waste, water or travel, every unit of energy we use counts and the best thing is, we know this target is achievable!
Robert Van Der Noort (Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Resource) said: "It's great going into our final year with the knowledge that we really can reach our 35% carbon reduction target. If everyone at the University switches off things when they aren't required, which I would urge them to do, I'm confident that we can achieve what we set out to do 5 years ago."
Over £3 million has been invested over the past 4 years in energy efficiency projects generating cumulative savings of almost £10 million in total and achieving a 23% reduction in our emissions. Further projects this summer will add significantly to this reduction. The 35% is in reach!
To hit the target though, we need staff to play a pivotal role in helping to reduce the amount of energy wasted on campus. Over the 2014 Christmas closure period we spent £70,000 on electricity alone and in November our Blackout event identified 76 tonnes of CO2 that could be saved in just 19 of our buildings by switching off unnecessary equipment at the end of the day.
So what can you do to make sure we get to the big 35?
1) Firstly when you leave your office, laboratory or lecture theatre, take a look around and switch off anything you think doesn't need to be left on (and it's safe to switch off!). This could include:
- Lights
- Computers and screens
- Projectors
- Specialist lab equipment
- Air conditioning
- Closing windows
2) Volunteer to lead a team of students during our very popular Blackout at the end of October.
3) Email us any suggestions on how we can save energy, doesn't matter how big or small.
4) Sign up to Green Impact and become a champion of environmental issues in your office.
In October, we will be launching this year's Carbon Countdown campaign. This will involve high profile publicity and events to encourage everyone at the University to get involved. We are using our new metering to particularly target areas which seem to have high energy consumption.
Simon Feist, Environmental Champion of the Year said: "I led a team of students at last year's Blackout and was really surprised by how much equipment and lighting was left on in the evening. The Green Impact programme has helped us identify lots ways, in my building, that we can reduce our environmental impact further and make our own contribution to the 35% target."