Save Earth - News
BU ranks in top five greenest universities in UK BU has been named as the fifth greenest University in the UK in the People & Planet Green League 2011. Published in the Education Guardian, the national league table ranks 138 institutions across the UK on their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. This year BU earned a ‘First Class’ degree-style rating for its green credentials for the second year running, rising fifteen places from last year’s position. BU scored particularly strongly in key areas such as Environmental Policy, Environmental Auditing and Management Systems, Staff and Student Engagement and the new curriculum section (Education for Sustainable Development). BU was also credited with full marks for both waste mass per head and carbon emissions per head, reflecting that these are both lower than the sector average. The results come a month after BU was awarded a prestigious Gold Award for its environmental management systems by the national EcoCampus scheme for Higher Education (only the sixth University to receive this award). Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chair of BU’s Environmental Strategy Group, David Willey, said: “We are delighted that our strong environmental performance and practice has been recognised by People & Planet in their Universities Green League. “This rise to fifth place out of 138 universities after several years of steady progress is very gratifying. It is an acknowledgement of the importance we place on sustainability at BU, and especially the contribution of our Environmental and Energy Team.” EcoCampus Gold Award Bournemouth University has been awarded the EcoCampus Gold Award for its environmental management systems, becoming only the sixth higher education institution in the UK to receive this award. The recommendation for the award was made following a comprehensive external audit, which included site inspections on both campuses, interviews with staff from across a range of functions, and a thorough review of procedures and documentation. EcoCampus is a national environmental management system development programme and award scheme for the further and higher education sector. It encourages, rewards and provides universities with the tools necessary to assist them in moving towards environmental sustainability and therefore good operational and risk management practices. To successfully complete the Gold Award the University had to implement a number of actions relating to roles and responsibilities, environmental training, communication, documentation, operational control and emergency preparedness and response. BU is also required to have an environmental programme in place, with initiatives underway to reduce its impact in a range of areas, including carbon and energy management, waste management, travel, sustainable procurement, water consumption, sustainable construction and biodiversity management. Amanda Williams, Environment & Energy Manager, said: “This award demonstrates the University’s ongoing commitment to manage and reduce its environmental impact. EcoCampus provides a framework to develop a challenging and coherent strategy in all environmental aspects.” The Environment & Energy Team will now begin work on implementing the requirements of the fourth and final stage, Platinum Award, which is equivalent to the international standard ISO 14001, and focuses on ensuring continuous improvement through Monitoring & Measuring, Evaluation of Legal Compliance, Internal Audit, and Management Review. Sustainable Food PolicyCatering contractor Chartwells, along with the Students’ Union and the School of Tourism (which runs ‘The Retreat’) have signed up to a Sustainable Food Policy to ensure that the food served to staff and students meets with a range of ethical standards. The University and its partners recognise that it is important for universities to consider the sustainability of their supply chains and the interconnections between social and environmental factors in relation to food procurement in particular. The Policy, which includes commitments to supporting national, regional and local supply, use of sustainable fish stocks and organic, seasonal and freshly prepared foods, and availability of meat-free dishes, can be downloaded here: Sustainable Food Policy (PDF) Student Village Recycling Pilot SchemeA new ‘Green Frog’ scheme has been rewarding students for recycling correctly in the University’s Student Village residences. This scheme aims to improve the awareness of recycling in student residences and to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, and the level of contamination in recycling bins. Contamination of our recycling bins can mean that their entire contents are diverted to landfill. So far this successful scheme has evoked great interest from the students, resulting in a vast reduction in contamination of recycling collections, and greater participation in recycling in the Student Village. Carbon Management Plan (CMP) ApprovedFollowing the successful completion of the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management Programme, Bournemouth University has produced a detailed Carbon Management Strategy & Implementation Plan which will aim to reduce the University’s carbon footprint by 30% from a 2005/6 baseline by 2015/16. The CMP received Board Approval on 29/01/2010 and work will now begin towards implementing measures that will help achieve this challenging target. Richard Rugg, Public Sector Head at the Carbon Trust said: “Bournemouth University was selected in 2008, amidst strong competition, to take part in this ambitious programme. Bournemouth University partnered with the Carbon Trust in order to realise substantial carbon and cost savings.” > Download the Carbon Management Plan (PDF 690KB) Environmental Targets AnnouncedThe University Strategic Plan 2009/10 – 2013/14 identifies reducing our carbon footprint and adverse impact on the environment as a key priority for action and includes a top level KPI to reduce carbon emissions (in line with targets identified in our Carbon Management Plan). This commits the University to: Reduce the carbon footprint of those activities identified in the scope of the Carbon Management Plan by 30% by the end of the 2015/6 academic year, compared to a baseline of 2005/6. An further aspirational target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2020 has also been identified to demonstrate the University’s commitment to contributing to wider sector level carbon reduction targets. As part of the implementation of the EcoCampus Environmental Management Programme, Bournemouth University has reviewed its objectives and targets for environmental management and developed a detailed environmental programme to address all of its significant aspects and impacts. This includes targets to:
Staff and students who would like to find out more about how they can help the University meet these performance targets should contact the University’s Environment & Energy Manager using the online contact form. Students Turned on by Switching OffStudents living in halls of residence will be encouraged to have fun in the dark this academic year by taking part in the 'Student Switch Off', where halls will compete against each other to come top of the class in energy efficiency. Prizes will be given out over the course of the year to encourage students to save energy and do their bit to tackle climate change. These prizes will specifically be given to students from participating halls who sign up to become Eco-Power Rangers – residents who pledge to use their energy carefully and encourage their friends to do so as well. Prizes on offer to Eco-Power Rangers include tickets to Lollipop at The Old Fire Station, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, NUS Extra cards and energy-saving gadgets. On top of all this, the winning hall will receive a celebratory end-of-year party. The actions encouraged by the Student Switch Off are simple, but those that can sometimes get neglected when you’re living in halls. They include switching lights and appliances off when not in use, putting a lid on the pan when cooking, not overfilling the kettle and putting on an extra layer of clothing rather than turning up the thermostat. To become an Eco-Power Ranger and maximise your chances of winning some of these great prizes, e-mail ecopowerrangers@studentswitchoff.org with your name and hall in the subject line, or join the “Bournemouth University Eco-Power Rangers” Facebook group and post the name of your hall on the wall of the group. Departmental Eco-ChampionsA taskforce of Energy Monitors is working to cut the amount of energy wasted around the University. The initiative is aimed at reducing the University’s impact on the environment and helping to address its carbon footprint. With Energy Monitors distributed across all buildings on both campuses, the volunteers will help communicate energy saving ideas to colleagues and distribute awareness raising materials as they go about their normal duties as staff at BU. They will keep an eye open for wasteful energy use within their own school or department, taking action where necessary; for example, talking to colleagues about energy efficiency and switching off lights in unoccupied areas. So don’t forget to switch off, before they do! These departmental eco-champions will also be able to signpost colleagues and students towards advice about waste and recycling, water reduction and sustainable travel as well. To express an interest in becoming an Energy Monitor or to find out more please email: greenfrog@bournemouth.ac.uk. |
