Delivering Net Zero Carbon – FAQs

By danfernbankNov 12, 20210 Comments
This blog follows up a recent all-staff presentation on the University's Net Zero Carbon strategy, aiming to address the key questions raised. Active travel The University has invested over £500,000 in improved on-campus pedestrian and cycling facilities over the last 5 years, but we recognise that many of the barriers to more active travel lie outside of our boundaries.  We do actively engage with the local councils, have supported the installation of a much-needed pedestrian crossing on Pepper Lane and have committed our support for a crossing on Upper Redlands Road too. Reading Borough Council currently has a live consultation…
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Grant funding award for Earley Gate decarbonisation study

By danfernbankOct 07, 20210 Comments
The University has recently been awarded a £50,000 grant from Phase 2 of Salix Finance’s Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF2) to undertake a heat decarbonisation study for the Earley Gate side of the Whiteknights campus. Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the LCSF2 is specifically focused on helping the public sector make plans for how they can decarbonise their heating systems in the years ahead.  The University’s Net Zero Carbon Plan commits it to full decarbonisation of its heating systems by 2030 and with all of the buildings on Earley Gate currently heated with gas…
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Fridge freezer upgrades completed

By naomiwadsworthSep 13, 20210 Comments
We are pleased to publish details of a further two Salix grant-funded projects which we have now completed the energy saving measurements for. Over several weeks during spring 2021, a large number of lab refrigeration units at Whiteknights campus were replaced. These included refrigeration units, non-ultra-low temperature freezers (-20°C) and ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers (-80°C). Each project has produced good energy savings, with a combined total annual saving of £ 5,450 per year and 8.3 tonnes CO2 per year. Why were the refrigeration units upgraded? Most of the refrigeration units were aging and inefficient, using excess electricity and resulting in…
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How data and the Institute for Environmental Analytics’ expertise are helping Small Islands States in their journey to renewables

By jackiesimpsonAug 09, 20210 Comments
By Dr Maria Noguer, Climate Programme Manager, Institute for Environmental Analytics (IEA) When we first tuned up in the Seychelles in 2018 to explain to our project partners that a combination of space data and our expertise could help them transition to a low carbon economy, they looked at the sky and then at us with suspicious eyes. Space sounded esoteric but they were intrigued and excited. Solar farm in Vanuatu (Maria Noguer and Alan Yates on a site visit) Addressing grand challenges: high cost of energy and climate change The Institute for Environmental Analytics had just been awarded a…
Energy and Water
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New LED Lamps shine a light on SAPD’s research

By naomiwadsworthJul 27, 20210 Comments
While exploring Whiteknights campus, you may have spotted several large glasshouses which are part of large complex called the Crop and Environment Laboratory (CEL). CEL is one of many research facilities offered by the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD) where research is focused on food security and resilience to climate change. Last year, Sustainability Services approached SAPD regarding the opportunity to fund the upgrade of the growth lamps in some of the CEL glasshouses to deliver significant energy savings.  Following technical assessments by Professors Paul Hadley and Donal O’Sullivan in Crop Sciences, the project was approved for funding…
Energy and Water
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First Salix grant-funded project complete!

By naomiwadsworthJun 09, 20210 Comments
We are pleased to announce that we have now completed the energy saving measurements from our first Salix grant-funded project - upgrading the existing lab drying ovens in operation across our Whiteknights campus. Drying ovens are typically used to dry a variety of equipment including glassware (test tubes, etc.) and instruments but they can also be used for general purpose warming. The upgrades have produced better energy savings than predicted, and we can expect this project to have a payback period of 5 years. Why were the lab drying ovens upgraded? Most of the previous drying ovens in operation were…
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University carbon reduction projects underway

By naomiwadsworthApr 30, 20210 Comments
In November, the University was awarded over £3.4 million in funding to deliver a range of carbon reduction projects across its UK campuses.  The funding comes from 3 different grant awards from Salix Finance, financed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS): £3.3 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme £120,000 from the Low Carbon Skills Fund to cover additional resource to support delivery the main grant funded projects £45,000 from the Low Carbon Skills Fund to cover low carbon heating feasibility studies for 6 buildings These projects are anticipated to reduce our annual carbon emissions by…
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In defence of ‘Net Zero’ Carbon

By danfernbankSep 30, 20200 Comments
“Net zero carbon" seems to be the new catch phrase in discussions on climate change action, but what does it mean, and is it just green wash? It's fair to say there are different interpretations of what 'net zero' means, and some frankly dubious claims being made about appropriate pathways to net zero. That said, there are good guidelines available which set boundaries and standards for robust net Zero plans, such as PAS 2060 and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The University sees Net Zero Carbon as meaning: Cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as little as possible and then…
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University Energy Manager recognised in national awards

By danfernbankDec 12, 20190 Comments
The University’s Energy & Sustainability Manager, Dan Fernbank, has been awarded Public Sector Energy Manager of the Year at the 2019 Energy Management Awards. Run by the Energy Managers Association (EMA), the awards recognise and celebrate outstanding work in the energy management and sustainability industry. Dan has led the University of Reading’s Sustainability Services team since 2011. Some of the team’s main achievements during this time include: Ensuring the University met its 35% carbon reduction target in 2016 (compared to its baseline 2008/09 emissions) Achieving a 40% carbon reduction earlier this year – keeping the University on track to deliver…
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Progressing Towards a Sustainable Future

By lukecantellowOct 11, 20190 Comments
This year has been one of achievement for sustainability at the University. Concerns around environmental issues locally, nationally and internationally have continued to grow in prominence, and this in turn has seen a distinct increase in the appetite and expectation for sustainability action within the University. This has also been evident in the appetite for sustainability to feature within the University’s new core Strategy. The 2019/20 academic year promises to be an exciting one for sustainability, and one in which we can set new expectations for our ongoing environmental leadership. Cutting Carbon  Having now exceeded 40% carbon reductions since our…
Awards and Achievements, Energy and Water
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