Our carbon reduction programme has now saved the University a massive £7.4 million since 2011, for an investment of £2.35 million in specific energy and water efficiency initiatives.
We are well on our way to achieving our 35% target for July 2016, with a 23% cut in our carbon emissions saving 32,155 tCO2 cumulatively (compared to our 2008/09 baseline). This is equivalent to just over one year’s carbon emissions for the entire University, or to put it another way, the equivalent of 6,305 UK households for a year[1].
Figure 1 – annual CO2 progress against target
Almost £1 million was invested in 2013/14 alone; including £687,000 interest-free funding from a combination of HEFCE’s Revolving Green Fund and a Salix Finance loan.
This included our Green Gown Award shortlisted fume cupboard efficiency project; now being rolled out across the estate, while a further 5 buildings have had lighting upgrades. We have also invested significantly in improving our electricity, gas and water metering, so we have a much better understanding of where utilities are being used, and where savings can be made.
These are significant achievements in delivering a more sustainable University, both in environmental and in financial terms. The year ahead is set to be another big year for our programme; kicking off our new Carbon Countdown campaign, with a ‘Blackout’ launch event on Friday 28 November.
Click here for our full carbon progress report.
[1] Source: Great Britain’s housing energy fact file 2011, p.34, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data /file/48195/3224-great-britains-housing-energy-fact-file-2011.pdf
