The University has a commitment to drive improvements in environmental performance across the institution. We see this as part of our corporate responsibility as well as an important way of improving the quality of life of our staff, student and communities we serve.
We set ourselves ambitious targets and seek new ways to minimise our carbon footprint.
The University of Gloucestershire was the first English University to achieve registration to ISO 14001, the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems, across the full range of its activities including curriculum development. Our institutional commitment to continuous improvement in this area was recently rewarded with a Green Gown Award in 2008.
ISO 14001
The University operates an Environmental Management System (EMS) which is certified to the international standard ISO 14001. The standard specifies the requirements for the EMS to enable the University to implement a policy and plan which take into account how the organisation’s activities, products and services have an impact on the environment.
The success of this kind of environmental system depends on the commitment from all levels and functions of the University, especially from Senior Management who are involved in the reporting process. The EMS supports this commitment by providing a system for managing improvements and tracking progress.
The British Standards Institute (BSI) conducts annual assessments to assure our compliance with the accredited environmental management system. The ISO14001 is managed by the Health, Safety and Environment Team.
Our Environmental Management Strategies
The University’s environmental actions are informed by a series of environmental strategies which provide operational frameworks as well as targets:
Utilities Strategy
Our Utilities Strategy guides the responsible management of its utilities, and efficient operation of University premises, plant as well as equipment across our campuses.
Waste Management Strategy
Our Waste Management Strategy which is aligned with the University’s Purchasing Policy, provides a basis for the responsible management of the Universities waste including purchasing, use and disposal of materials.
Transport Strategy
Our Transport Strategy commits the University to encouraging staff and students to walk, cycle or use public transport and to discourage, and thereby reduce, the use of private vehicles by those traveling to, from and between the University and when conducting university business.
ICT Plan
Our ICT Plan is committed to reducing energy costs through the effective use of ICT. The department is working in collaboration with the University’s main PC supplier (Viglen) to help achieve significant reductions in energy use and with our sustainable procurement officer to invest in more sustainable hardware and software options.
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Climate change is the single biggest environmental challenge we face and as a result there are increasing demands on organisations to account for their environmental performance. The University is taking part in the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management Programme and has developed a Carbon Management Plan.
Measuring Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The University uses a Defra publication ‘Guidance on how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions’ (September 2009) and uses the related ‘Guidelines to Defra/DECC’s Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors for Company Reporting’ (September 2009).
The majority of the University’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions consist of indirect emissions from the purchase of grid electricity (Scope 2), followed by direct emissions from the combustion of gas and oil for heating buildings and hot water (Scope 1). For 2008/09 these were:
| |
Tonnes of CO2 |
|
Base Year |
| |
2008/09 |
2007/08 |
2005/06 |
| Scope 1 (direct emissions) |
1797 |
1970 |
1784 |
| Scope 2 (indirect emissions) |
2943 |
2894 |
3112 |
| Total gross emissions |
4740 |
2864 |
4896 |
| Carbon offsets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Green tariff |
2886 |
2840 |
3040 |
| Total annual net emissions |
1854 |
2024 |
1856 |
To show our commitment to the environment, 98% of our electricity comes from a ‘green’ tariff.
Managing Our Resources More Effectively
Managing resources such as energy and water efficiently can also minimise the environmental impact of an institution. The University currently spends in excess of £0.7 M each year on fuel and water, hence increasing efficiency can provide significant financial benefits to the University.
To improve energy efficiency, the University has procured site energy reviews for the Cheltenham and Gloucester campuses, which account for 98% of the University’s energy consumption. Together with our Carbon Management Plan, these reviews are informing how we manage our energy, water, waste and transport activities.
Our Recent Environmental Improvements
The University has improved its environmental footprint through:
- Reductions in carbon emissions: Careful target setting, monitoring and innovations in utilities, waste disposal and transport, have brought reductions in the university’s carbon footprint. In 2008-09, direct CO2 emissions reduced by 8.8% compared with the previous year, with overall energy consumption reducing by 5.8%.
- Above average performance in energy and water consumption - with energy consumption per FTE student of 2,325 kWh of energy and 5.1 m3 of water, compared to the sector median of 3,433 kWh and 12.6 m3 respectively (figures for 2007/08 based on Estate Management Statistics).
- Reduction in absolute water consumption over the year from 35,091m3 to 32,621 m3 (a reduction of 7.0%).
- Reduction in waste produced of 19.4% to 585 tonnes, and the amount going to landfill cut by 27.6% to 459 tonnes from the baseline year of 2005/06.
- Continued with 100% use of recycled paper for internal printing and copying and a minimum of 80% for external printing.
The University acknowledges the importance of looking at trends rather than a single year’s figures as it is often difficult to demonstrate improvements based on annual performance. Our transparent reporting will enable stakeholders to go through our environmental reports and confirm continuous improvement in this area.
Involving Staff and Students in Environmental Management
Whilst some operational elements are the specific responsibility of University facilities management staff, the actions of all staff and students are required to achieve our environmental management targets. The University invests in awareness raising programmes, public seminars and works in partnership with staff and students through volunteer schemes (see Sustainability Volunteering).
Campus Visibility Project
The University is launching a sustainability visibility campaign across the campuses to remind staff and students of the positive contribution they can make to this agenda. The campaign focuses on small everyday actions associated with saving energy, waste and water. It primarily seeks to make sustainability visible through posters and stickers across a number of key sites including halls of residence. For further information on reducing energy and water usage around campus and producing less waste please see here. If you have any tips that you would like to share with other staff and students please email sustainabilityvolunteer@glos.ac.uk or if you have any feedback on the project we would be happy to hear from you. Please also see our Sustainability News web page.
Commitment to Public Reporting
The University of Gloucestershire develops a Carbon Strategy
Sustainability is central to the University of Gloucestershire (UoG) and has therefore been the basis for initiatives, changes in technology and management practices, that have all contributed to achieved carbon reductions to date.
Carbon is rapidly increasing in importance within the Higher Education (HE) sector. The Government is committed to significant carbon reductions, enshrined in national legislation, meaning this is an issue which will remain and shape the way we work and live for the foreseeable future. HE institutions need to respond proactively to this agenda or risk potential financial, reputational and even litigation risks.
Therefore it is imperative that the UoG not only engages with this issue, but provides an example of best practice within the sector, so that we can capitalize on the financial and reputational benefits that this stance will accrue.
In response, the UoG has developed a Carbon Strategy for 2010 – 2020 with the following overarching objective:
To manage and reduce carbon emissions, whilst delivering University targets, through the embedding of cost effective carbon efficient good practices into the University’s strategic decisions and operations, and contributing to the reduction of wider carbon emissions associated with the University, through partnerships with our stakeholders.
Under this objective, the Carbon Strategy:
- Sets out the reasons why the carbon agenda is important to the University;
- Explains the scope of the term “carbon emissions” including types of emissions and sources;
- Defines strategic objectives;
- Sets out actions to assist the UoG to achieve its carbon reduction targets.
The Strategy will be available on the website Spring 2010.
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