Author: jackiesimpson

In March 2024 work will begin on the University’s first large scale heat pump retrofit which will see the existing 15-30 year old gas boilers in Sportspark replaced with two air source heat pumps. Last year the University was successfully awarded a grant of £865,000 for the project from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, which is delivered by Salix Finance. Two gas supplies will be removed as part of this project, which will be the first time this has happened in the University’s decarbonisation journey. Planning permission for the project was granted in November 2023 and the…

Plans are underway to enact an Easter heating plan to maximise financial savings and to minimise carbon emissions during the upcoming Easter shutdown. Term ends on 22/03/24 and the University will close fully from 28/03/24 to 02/04/24. The changes in use throughout this time will allow for optimisation of heating hours which will be trimmed in buildings. There will also be focused actions in identified zones within specific buildings such as turning the heating off where it is practically feasible. This approach maximises heating savings from underutilised spaces. The Easter plan has been informed by what was achieved over the…

Save the Date! On 6 March from 11:00-14:00 the Sustainability team are hosting a Sustainable Travel Day in Palmer Quad. The day will feature lots of exciting opportunities to explore sustainable modes of transport and the benefits that they can bring to your health and our environment. Highlights include: Explore our beautiful campus, find out the benefits of meditation and see what signs of Spring you can spot on our nature walk from 11:30-12:30. Sign up here Discover Whiteknights by bike on our Campus cycle ride from 13:30-14:00. Sign up here Win free travel with Reading Buses Get bike security…

The University of Reading has a fantastic track record on waste and resource use – in 2023 we were ranked the best University in the UK and Europe for UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Reduction (please see this blog for further details). We divert 98.8% of waste from landfill – up from 98.3% last year. We now produce 41kg of waste per person on campus – which is down from 62kg in 2015/16, 35% below our 2015/16 baseline. 62% of our waste was reused or sent for recycling or composting in 2022/23. Further information about our…

We all have to travel to University, now it is your chance to have your say. The Sustainability Team want to know how you currently travel, what you would like to see improved and any other travel ideas. Students - Complete the survey Staff – Complete the survey     This year, we’re offering the chance to enter a prize draw to win one of 3x£100 or 10x£20 ASDA or M&S vouchers which would be a welcome treat to brighten up January! The feedback from the survey will form the basis of our new 5 year travel plan so now…

The University of Reading has been ranked as the number one University in the 2023/24 People and Planet University League, rising from 4th place last year. This is the first time the University has achieved 1st place and we’re enormously proud to attain this, out of 151 UK Universities which reflects our environmental leadership and institutional commitment to sustainability . We have attained the 1st class universities status consistently since 2019. Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 P&P Score 55% No league published 69.9% 75.8% 81.8% Our overall score in 2019 was 55%, and in 2023 this has risen to…

This year’s Green Festival was held from 14-16 November and it was packed schedule of events which attracted a range of people across our University Community. The Sustainability Team would like to extend their thanks to the following people and teams who we worked closely with to deliver this great programme of events: Reading Students Union, Careers, Dominque Davies, Dylan Parkes, Reading Buses, Leonie Fisher, Bethany Brown, Jamie Robertson, Hedgehog Society, RECC, Citizens Advice, Water Aid, Community team, Students Advice Service, cycling team, Chaplaincy, UPP, MERL, Student Comms, Digital Engagement Team, Reading Students Union communications team and the University Internal…