Yasmin, Author at Sustainability

Celebrating World Fairtrade Day at the University of Reading

By YasminApr 24, 2026

At the University of Reading, we’re proud to make a positive impact through our commitment to Fairtrade. We’ve achieved 3-Star Fairtrade University status, which reflects the fantastic work of our students and staff. Together, we support ethical trading, sustainability, and fairer outcomes for producers around the world. To help us keep improving, and in conjunction with World Fairtrade Day on 9 May, we’re inviting students and staff to take part in our Fairtrade survey. It’s a quick and easy way to share your views. As a thank you, we’ll enter everyone who completes the survey into a prize draw. You…

Fairtrade

Turn Your Sustainable Research into Impact: Apply for the Robert D Pearce Prize

By YasminMar 26, 2026

The Professor Robert D Pearce Prize was created in honour of the late Professor Robert D Pearce in 2022 in memory of a world-renowned Henley Business School scholar. It is a student award, focused on sustainability, that recognises outstanding research and projects that support innovative ideas aligned with his work and broader vision. Robert’s research made significant contributions to studies on foreign direct investment (FDI), multinational enterprises (MNEs), and technology transfer. His broader vision was centred on empowering low and middle income countries by providing the knowledge and expertise needed for sustainable growth. He championed research that aligned closely with…

Awards and Achievements

Supporting Sustainability Beyond The Lab

By YasminMar 17, 2026

The Environmental Impact of Laboratory Research Laboratories are a major producer of plastic and energy waste. Labs typically consume 3-10 times more energy per square metre than a typical academic or office space. In wet labs, heating, cooling and ventilation are often big contributors to energy use. Introducing the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) In the School of Biological Sciences (and many other science schools) we are working hard to reduce our environmental impact. One way we are starting to tackle this is by signing up to LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework), which was developed by UCL. LEAF provides a…

Behaviour Change, Waste and Recycling

Lights Out Campaign Update: Small Actions, Big Energy Savings

By YasminMar 09, 2026

The Sustainability team, supported by our wonderful sustainability champions, have been running a ‘lights out’ campaign to reduce energy waste within the University. This is because people often leave lights on unnecessarily in unoccupied areas across our campuses. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our campaign to date! Please continue to support us by switching off the lights when they aren’t needed and reporting issues via the following Microsoft Form. We would especially like to hear about any circulation areas (corridors, staircases, lobbies etc.) which don’t currently have automated sensor controls. Campaign Activities Undertaken Comms out to…

Behaviour Change, Energy and Water

Marine conservation needs fewer slogans and better priorities

By YasminFeb 27, 2026

Marine conservation is often reduced to a familiar list of actions. Use less plastic. Eat sustainable seafood. Reduce carbon emissions. Blah, blah… These of course are sensible ideas, but repeating them endlessly risks oversimplifying the real challenges facing our oceans. Many of the most significant pressures on marine ecosystems are systemic, political, and largely invisible. The Real Pressures on UK Marine Ecosystems In the UK, key marine conservation issues include declining water quality, chemical pollution, overexploitation of fisheries, and climate driven ecosystem change. Nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban areas contributes to algal blooms and oxygen loss in coastal waters.…

Behaviour Change

More EV Chargers Now Live at Whiteknights Campus

By YasminFeb 26, 2026

As part of the University’s Five-Year Travel Plan - our roadmap for promoting more sustainable, low-carbon travel options - we’re continuing to expand electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across campus. We’re pleased to announce that new EV chargers in Car Park 6 and Car Park 8 at Whiteknights Campus are now fully operational and available for public use. You can read more about the Travel Plan here. What’s New? Car Park 6 - 6 EV charging bays, available for public use. Car Park 8 - 8 EV charging bays, also available for public use. Altogether, these additional 14 charging bays significantly…

Travel and Transport

The Environmental Cost Of Data Storage

By YasminFeb 04, 2026

Why the University is focusing on data decluttering DTS are running a campaign to encourage colleagues to support a data de-cluttering campaign both to help the University avoid significant cost increases in 2026, as well as decrease the environmental impact of data storage. But just what is the environmental cost of storing data? Whilst we know there is one, it can be very difficult to quantify in practical terms. How digital data storage uses energy Data is stored on local or remote (cloud) servers which consume energy. The server rooms or data centres in which they are housed also consume…

Behaviour Change

SportsPark Secure Cycle Shelter Now Open!

By YasminJan 12, 2026

Following the completion of construction in December, we are pleased to announce that a new secure cycle shelter is now open at the SportsPark on Whiteknights Campus. The shelter is accessed via key card and includes improved lighting, CCTV coverage, and a bike maintenance stand. Therefore, providing a safer and more convenient place to store your bike. This facility is the latest in a series of new, more secure cycle shelters being delivered across Whiteknights Campus to help combat bike theft and support staff, students, and visitors who choose to cycle to the University. Recent additions include shelters outside the…

Travel and Transport

New cycle store now open!

By YasminDec 08, 2025

A new cycle store is now open next to Whiteknights House to help everyone keep their bikes secure. The new enclosed storage unit on the edge of Car Park 5 is accessed by key card and features improved lighting and CCTV coverage. The Whiteknights House cycle store is is the latest in a series of new, more secure shelters being constructed on Whiteknights Campus to combat bike thefts and support colleagues to cycle to University. Another was opened outside the Library in the summer, while new stores are due to open at the SportsPark and outside Minghella building in central…

Travel and Transport

You Said, We Did – Travel Plan Campaign

By YasminNov 26, 2025

University Travel Plan: One Year of Sustainable Progress The University’s Travel Plan (2024–2029) was launched in July 2024 and has now been in active delivery for well over a year. The Plan sets out our commitment to supporting sustainable travel for staff, students, and visitors across all campuses, helping us play our part in tackling climate change and supporting the University’s wider Sustainability Strategy and ISO14001 Environmental Management System. The current Plan was shaped by feedback from the 2024 Travel Survey, where staff and students shared how they travel to campus and what changes they wanted to see. That feedback…

Travel and Transport