The University of Essex Carbon Management Plan

Carbon Management 2.0

November 2012

Overview

The University is committed to reducing its carbon emissions across all scopes by 43 per cent on a 2005 baseline by 2020. This paper outlines the procedures in place to achieve this target.

Targets

Objective / Target date
1.  Carbon Reduction
1.1 / Reduce absolute Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 43% in CO2e terms by 2020 on a 2005 baseline where available. Where baseline data for 2005 is not available, it may be substituted with data from the nearest available year. Emissions reductions should be non-transferable, i.e. over-performance in one emissions scope should not allow for under-performance elsewhere / 2020
1.2 / Meet an interim target to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 20% by 2015 on a 2005 baseline. / 2015
2.  Carbon Reporting and Accounting
2.1 / Instigate quarterly monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in conformity with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for the following footprint areas:
•  Heat & power;
•  Waste recycling/recovery and disposal;
•  Water consumption;
•  Transport of staff and students to the University and between sites;
•  Conference and business travel and travel associated with placements and field trips;
•  Procurement. / July 2013
2.2 / Gain ISO140001 Accreditation / July 2013
3.  Operational
3.1 / ·  Ensuring that all refurbishment projects meet BREAM excellent where possible. Where not possible resources are allocated for consequential improvements elsewhere on campus.
·  Where practicable and with due regard to the palette of existing materials on campus, all building materials will be sourced from the BRE Green Guide to specifications categories A-C from 2010 / July 2013
3.2 / The University will assess onsite renewable and ambient energy options with the goal of producing 10 per cent of energy from renewable sources / 2015
3.3 / The University will assess onsite renewable and ambient energy options with the goal of producing 30 per cent of energy from renewable sources / 2020
3.4 / The use and occupancy of space will be assessed and optimised to ensure the most energy and carbon efficient use of campus space. / 2013
4.  Engagement
4.1 / Develop policies on food ensuring the university is regarded as a responsible consumer.
Develop a system for reporting and monitoring on the University’s investment portfolio. / October 2013
4.2 / Sign up 25 additional students to the Campus Farm / July 2013
4.3 / Replace Green Task Force with Transition University / March 2013
4.4 / Put in place £60,000 budget for environmental engagement initiatives, to be managed by the Transition University Group. / July 2013
4.5 / Run a waste & energy conservation incentives campaign in student residences / September 2013
4.6 / Improve exisiting incentives for staff and students for good environmental behaviour in conjunction with onsite catering facilities / July 2013
4.7 / Support Student Union Big Spring Clean litter pick up / July 2013
4.8 / Run wildlife awareness events and advertise to non-University community / July 2013
4.9 / Share environmental best practice with local government & NHS / July 2013
4.10 / Work with local community garden projects sharing knowledge with Campus Farm / July 2013
4.11 / Develop policies and procedures to improve the University’s Green League ranking / February 2013
5.  Heat & Power
5.1 / Reduce emissions from heat & power by 43% on a 2005 baseline / 2020
5.1 / Roll out Smart metering across campus making data publicly available / July 2013
5.2 / Develop incentives for individual departments, buildings and residences to make reductions beyond targets / July 2013
6.  Waste
6.1 / Reduce emissions from waste by 43% on a 2005 baseline / 2020
6.2 / Develop waste reduction strategy based on waste hierarchy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ / May 2013
6.3 / Report on waste tonnages on monthly basis / February 2013
6.4 / Develop incentives for individual departments, buildings and residences to make reductions beyond targets / May 2013
6.5 / Continue binless office roll-out / May 2013
7.  Water
7.1 / Reduce emissions from water by 43% on a 2005 baseline / 2020
7.2 / Develop systems for monthly data reporting / May 2013
7.3 / Phased removal of existing water coolers where there is adequate provision of mains water / July 2013
8.  Procurement
8.1 / Reduce emissions from procurement by 43% on a 2005 baseline / 2020
8.2 / University Sustainable Procurement Policy sets out how tenders will be scored according to environmental criteria / December 2012
8.3 / Begin engagement with suppliers with a view to establishing carbon impact of their goods and services / July 2013
9.  Travel
9.1 / Reduce emissions from travel by 43% on a 2005 baseline / 2020
9.2 / Improve systems for monthly data reporting for business travel / July 2013
9.3 / Develop incentives for individual departments to make reductions beyond targets / July2013
9.4 / Run bi-annual surveys for staff commutes / July 2013
9.5 / Run annual surveys for student commutes / July 2013
10.  Bio-diversity
10.1 / 150m2 of wild flower planting / July 2013
10.2 / Identify sites for tree planting / July 2013
10.3  / Survey & report on condition of bat, bird & bug boxes / July 2013
10.4  / 150m2 of bulb planting (approx. 15,000 bulbs) / July 2013
10.5  / 100 per cent of collected leaves used on site for mulch / July 2013
10.6  / 95 per cent of green waste reused on site / July 2013
10.7  / 75 per cent of sports field fertiliser to be organic / July 2013
10.8  / Apply for Defra stewardship scheme / July 2013
10.9  / Produce guide & signage highlighting campus bio diversity / July 2013
10.10  / Maintain & enhance pond and surrounding area as wildlife habitat on Loughton Campus / July 2013
10.11  / Maintain raised planters on Southend Campus / July 2013
10.12  / Install bug houses on Southend Campus / July 2013
10.13  / Maintain Colchester Campus habitats as per habitat mapping in Bio-diversity Policy
Provide signage around campus, linked to interactive mapping using IT of habitats on campus / July 2013
July 2013
11.  Emissions & discharges
11.1 / Review asbestos management and data availability for emissions/discharges management / July 2013
11.2 / Review HVAC contracts, suitability and maintenance of the systems / July 2013
11.3 / Promote student Switch off, and Green Impact to students and staff to increase carbon emissions and pollution awareness-raising / July 2013
11.4 / Review Emergency Plans to deal with abnormal conditions where spillages occur or emissions are exceeded, establish single working document / April 2013
11.5 / Implement refresher training programme on emissions & discharges and operational procedures for all key staff, e.g. maintenance team, porters, cleaners / July 2013

Dan Dempsey

Carbon Change Advisor

22nd November 2012