Green ImpactWorkshop 2

05.12.13

 Queen’s Approach to Carbon

Management

1. Why Bother?

2. Background

3. Corporate Objectives

4. Technical and Strategic Projects

5. How staff can make a difference

6. How students can make a difference

7. Questions?

8. ?

Why Bother?

1. Climate Change Act 2008 targets adopted by HE sector

2. Government have stated that HE should set the example for the private and public sectors

3. Inevitable that future funding will be linked to environmental performance

4. Reputation - increasingly important to students and business partners

5. Operating Costs!

Challenges

• Over 3,500 staff• 24/ 7 operation• Spread across over 250  Buildings – 98 listed• Russell Group University - Research intensive• Growing and expanding • Staff awareness and attitudes

      2008/09 ‘Footprint’

The University produces 28,430 tonnes of carbon emissions each year

      Current ‘Footprint’

27,883 tonnes

Translated to Energy Costs?

• Overall energy costs £6.5 million

• Electricity costs £3.8 million

• What does it cost to run your home =

Lanyon =

College Park =

Data Centres =

CCRCB =

£77

£44

£1,210

£442

£2.50/day

      Current ‘Footprint’

27,883 tonnes(-593 tonnes / -3.27% / -£163,405)

Corporate Objectives and Vision

• To grow an efficient, effective and sustainable enterprise

Low Carbon Vision for Queen’s: ‘The University will endeavour to be a low carbon organisation, by reducing our carbon emissions and providing a high quality and sustainable working and learning environment for students and staff.’

•21% Reduction in the University’s Carbon Emissions by 2020 - 6,000t (Changing behaviour = 1,706t)

•CONTROL OPERATING COSTS!!!!!

Do Nothing ?

Carbon Reduction Target

Saving £5m/year ?

      Technical Projects Invest to Save (£10m/10 years)

Examples:

•Voltage Optimisation

•Data Centre Cooling

•Upgrade of lighting and controls

•New Energy Centres (2012/13)

£7 million invested to date

Strategic Projects

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)•Main Site (Lanyon)•DKB

Annual Carbon Savings of 2,500 tonnes

            Changing Behaviours

– Senior Management– Staff – Students

Influencing Senior Manager’s

Take ownership at a strategic level

Set environmental objectives at management level

Empower key staff with a clear remit to deliver

Progress reported direct to Head of School/Director

Work with Estates on technical and behaviour change

projects

Targets for Operational Units

• Address out of hours consumption

• All OUs have been set targets to reduce electricity consumption

Progress so far!

2012 – 2013

•Up to 14.5% Reduction in some areas

•Overall 3.27% Reduction

2013 - 2014 so Far

•-2.65% reduction in Quarter 1

Progress over 2012/13 months:

Electrical Consumption:

• Registrar’s office – 14.5%

• Vice Chancellor’s Office – 13.6%

• GAP– 13.58%

• SU – 11.12%

• Dean’s Office (Medicine, Health and Life Sciences-

4%

Management Information Tools

                Engaging with Staff

• Staff Survey – behaviours and attitudes• One Stop Shop for Carbon info - Carbon Management Website

• Low Carbon Brand• Network of Environmental Champions• Green Impact Scheme• Key awareness events throughout the year

                     Staff Attitudes to the Environment and Climate Change

• 69% interested or very interested in reducing carbon emissions in the University. 

• 75% of participants indicated that they believed in global warming 

• Recognised need to combined action of institutions and individuals

• ‘Forgetfulness’  - greatest obstacle• Inability to turn off equipment – also an obstacle

        Calendar of Events 

• Green Week – November– Promotion of energy, waste, travel, purchasing

• Climate Week – March• Bike to Work Week – June – Final of the QUB Cycle Challenge– Bike Workshops

     What can YOU do!

Changes in day to day       actions

6% by 2020 through changes in our day to day behaviourE.g.– Switching of equipment– Switching of lights– Reducing waste and recycling– Purchasing ‘energy efficient’ equipment

More information

www.qub.ac.uk/carbon

Contact: Sara Lynch– Environmental Managers.lynch@qub.ac.uk 1198

Elaine Curley – Environmental Assistante.curley@qub.ac.uk 1115