{"id":9389,"date":"2022-11-30T12:07:55","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T12:07:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=9389"},"modified":"2022-11-30T16:04:56","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T16:04:56","slug":"green-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2022\/11\/30\/green-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Green Festival is the University of Reading\u2019s annual sustainability celebration where we engage with our University community to promote, educate and celebrate sustainable actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sustainability team\u2019s Green Festival ran from1-11 November 2022, featuring activities promoting environmentally friendly actions and advice that will help save money as well as emissions. Luke Cantellow, Energy Officer in the University\u2019s Sustainability Services team<\/a>, tells \"LukeCONNECTED more about how the University is working with its community to champion environmental sustainability through practical action.<\/p>\n

Luke explained: \u201cThe Green Festival is our opportunity to celebrate everything Green at the University. We share with our community all the sustainable actions that have been happening over the previous 12 months, as well as promoting and educating on what is to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Celebrating Green 2022<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This year\u2019s programme included a low-carbon recipe competition, free bike checks and cycle tours, and a chance to get hands-on with air quality monitoring equipment.<\/p>\n

\"DrLuke said: \u201cWe had a fantastic Green Festival this year, engaging with hundreds of students and staff over the week on sustainability topics. Around 500 people attended the Festival, which included SusTrans, Reading Cycle Campaign, Thames Valley Police, Reading Bike Kitchen, and Campus Security, with over 100 people attending the Day of Cycling exhibits for the Sustainable Travel and Air Quality Day.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe main aim of the Festival is to open up the conversation and dialogue.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

“My highlight of the week was the Sustainable Travel and Air Quality Day with Reading Buses and air pollution experts which definitely got people talking. Reading Buses hosted a \u2018Play Your Emissions Right\u2019 game where staff and students guessed the different carbon emissions of different forms of transport, for example cycling, diesel bus and car.<\/p>\n

\"Two“Another highlight was a \u2018Spin the Wheel\u2019 game as part of Energy Day, where visitors guessed how much energy an appliance uses, spun the wheel and saw where it landed. Many were surprised at the results and there was really good engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Green Festival is designed with students and staff in mind, but Luke shares how alumni can also get involved with the University\u2019s Sustainability Team. He suggested: \u201cKeep an eye on our new blog posts to see what\u2019s going on with the Sustainability Team, and also take a look at the courses the University offers on Future Learn.<\/p>\n

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“If you\u2019re local, come to the University campuses, have a look around and challenge us on what we are doing. If you\u2019re not local, then tell us what you\u2019re doing in your local community \u2013 how are you challenging the status quo to make your voice heard?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Check out the Sustainability Team\u2019s blogs<\/a>, or see what courses are available on Future Learn<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Carbon emissions halved<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When asked what is next on the sustainability team\u2019s agenda, Luke laughs, \u201cWhat is not on our agenda might be easier to start with!\u201d<\/p>\n

The University has already taken great strides in reducing their carbon emissions, with the latest data showing that the University has halved its carbon emissions over the last 13 years, equating to more than 167,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide, as outlined in the recently published Environmental Sustainability Report 2021\/22<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other key successes highlighted in the report included:<\/p>\n