Movin’ on up the Green League

This year’s People & Planet University Green League saw Reading achieve it’s highest ever position, being placed 15th amongst 154 UK universities for its environmental and ethical performance.  For the third year in a row, the degree-style classifications awarded Reading a 1st class performance. We maintained or improved our scores in every area but one (we’ll come back to the one!), with particularly impressive improvements in the areas of Ethical Investment, Education for Sustainable Development and Staff and Student Engagement.           An overall improvement in our score from 55% to 69.9% reflects the significant amount of…
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Appendices Environmental Report 2019 – 20

1 - Carbon Management Scope 2 - CMP project tables 2019-20 3 - Emissions+energy breakdown vs baseline and last year 4 - Additional out of scope emissions 5 - Avoided emissions through renewable generation 6 - Waste management actions and projects 7 - 2019 20 Travel Plan Annual Report
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In defence of ‘Net Zero’ Carbon

“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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Appendices Environmental Report 2018-19

1 - Carbon Management Scope 2 - Carbon+Water projects 2018-19 and 2019-20 3 - Emissions+energy breakdown vs baseline and last year 4 - Additional out of scope emissions 5 - Avoided emissions through renewable generation 6 - Waste management actions and projects 7 - Travel Plan Annual Report 2018-19
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Exploring low carbon heating in Henley-on-Thames

Using the River Thames for heat Since 2017, the University has been investigating the potential to provide low carbon heating to its Henley Business School, Greenlands campus. The site has a prime location on the banks of the River Thames on the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames. Heating at the site is currently from oil-fired boilers in each building and investigations have identify a water source heat pump to be a viable low carbon alternative. The large heat body of the River Thames nearby makes this a potentially ideal resource for low-grade heat to be extracted from. In simple terms, a heat…
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Climate Strike

Climate Strike The 30-minute walkout on the 20th of September at 10am is in solidarity with school strikers around the world, whose Friday strikes have pushed climate action to the forefront of global attention. The pledge button will only go live at 10am for the Climate Strike it has now been deactivated Down tools in support of climate strikes The University is supporting a half hour strike by colleagues in support of climate action on Friday, 20 September at 10am for 30 minutes. The 30-minute walkout is in solidarity with school strikers around the world, whose Friday strikes have pushed…
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Sustainable Event Guide

Are you organising or holding an event at the University?  Would you like to know how to make it more sustainable?  We've got some hints and tips below - but don't forget to visit the University's main events planning pages for more information!    
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Where Does Our Waste Go?

This page provides information on how our waste is managed, who manages it and where it goes. For more information on what you can recycle or how to handle your waste, consult the Waste and Recycling A-Z. For any clarification or further information do not hesitate to contact waste@reading.ac.uk. Dry Mixed Recycling - cans, plastic bottles, tins, paper etc. Once dry mixed recycling is placed in the recycling bins it is collected by the cleaners and porters and then placed in various wheelie bins across campus. The University's waste contractor then collects the waste and transports it to a Materials Recycling Facility…
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About us

Here at the University of Reading we are very proud of what we have achieved and continue to work hard to improve the environmental performance of the university.  We do this by investing in environmentally conscious building design, energy efficiency measures, diverting waste from landfill, encouraging the use of sustainable transport and raising environmental awareness.The University has an experienced and committed team of people who work hard to ensure that we are doing all we can to minimise our environmental impact.
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