UWA works to reduce carbon emissions

Tuesday 28 March, 2006
The University of Wales, Aberystwyth works to reduce carbon emissions
A UK wide advertising campaign run this week by the Carbon Trust recognises the efforts of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in cutting carbon emissions.

Aberystwyth is the only University in Wales to feature in the advert which runs the headline ‘Cutting carbon emissions. There are those that can and those that do'. Further editorial notes: ‘These universities are committed to Carbon Management to actively cut their carbon emissions, lead by example and save money.'

UWA was one of 20 universities to sign up to the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management Scheme which was launched in April 2005. It was designed to provide support and guidance to universities and higher education colleges to help them cut carbon emissions. At that point it was calculated that the 20 universities clocked up an annual energy bill of £70 million and emitted 555,000 tonnes of carbon.

Nigel Owen from the University’s Estates Department has been co-ordinating the Scheme at UWA. He said:
“Over the past year ,the University has been taking a long hard look at its carbon emissions and has been working closely with the Carbon Trust to identify areas where improvements may be achieved. For example, the establishment of a new travel scheme, the AHA card, has produced an annual reduction of over 12,000 litres fuel equivalent to 32 tonnes of Carbon.”

“The University is currently finalising a Carbon Management Plan which will set targets for reducing Carbon emissions over the next 5 years.   The plan will enable the University to fully embed the issues of responsible Carbon Management in its core policies and will lead to improvements in energy and waste awareness among staff and students.”

“An Energy Management Advisory Group has been established to oversee the implementation of the plan and the University will have a dedicated resource responsible for reducing the consumption of gas, electricity, oil and water throughout its academic and residential buildings.   Specific energy saving schemes such as improved heating controls, better insulation and less wasteful use of lighting have already been identified as areas for savings.” 

In February a report published by the Carbon Trust identified Aberystwyth as having one of the lowest carbon emission per inhabitant in the UK, 0.47 tonnes, compared to the 1.09 tonnes produced per London inhabitant. Spokesman Dr Garry Felgate said many students lived a low-carbon lifestyle. " Students don't typically drive cars – not many drive 4x4 vehicles, and are more likely to live in communal areas."
Further details about the work of the Carbon Trust is available online at http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/campaign/ .