Sustainability at Newcastle University

Hannah Munro

ESS Sustainability Team

Agenda

• What do we mean by Sustainability?

• Sustainability at Newcastle University

• Newcastle University Objectives

• Sustainable Food

Common definition of Sustainability

• Brundtland definition 1987:

…to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

• Balance between society environment and economy

• Think global, act local

Drivers for Sustainability • Global drivers

• Reducing costs from: • Energy (£10M) • Waste to landfill • Water consumption

• Increase resource efficiency • Legal compliance

• Taxes (CRC) • Reputation Complete Universities Guide 2011 found that

“greenness” was 5th most popular search term

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and civic leadership

Sustainability at Newcastle University

• 1 of 5 strategic objectives outlined in Vision 2021

• 1 of 3 societal challenge themes

• 15th and ‘first class’ award in the People and Planet Green League of Universities

Sustainability Team

George Chambers Assistant Energy

Manager

Matt Dunlop Energy and Sustainability

Manager

Daniel O’Connor Waste Manager

Sean Jobling Sustainability Officer

Hannah Munro Sustainability Officer

Salvador Bravo Najera Sustainability Officer

Laura Diaz-Silvarrey Energy Management

System Assistant

Environmental Sustainability Policy

• Responsible institution; to grow/develop in a sustainable manner

• Meet/exceed all relevant legislation

• Prevent pollution

• Support Education for Sustainable Development in through the Curriculum

• Demonstrate continuous improvement

1. Integrate environmental management in our day to day operations

• Environmental Management System (EMS)

• EcoCampus Platinum and ISO14001

• Setting objectives & targets

• Establish procedures

• Monitor performance

• Cycle of continual improvement

2. Reduce energy consumption and related emissions

• Completion of £4.4m boiler scheme saved 1,500t CO2

• An additional £1.2M invested in carbon reduction projects over last 5 years, saving £427k and 2,500 tonnes CO2 p.a.

• Energy consumption contained despite new buildings

• Target- 43% reduction CO2 by 2020

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11

KG

/m2

Scope 1&2 carbon dioxide (kg CO2) emissions per m2 gross internal area

(total estate)

3. Minimise our use of water

• Water use reduced by a further 3.9% - 23.9% since 2008/9

• Water savings in accommodation due to aerated shower heads

• Water audits carried out by MSc students

• Awareness raising

21.5 19.1

17

19.9 18.1

15.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11

Wat

er

Co

nsu

mp

tio

n m

3

Water consumption for the total estate (m3) per staff and student FTE

4. Implement a waste minimisation strategy and maintain a high recycling rate

• >90% General Waste recycled

• Currently zero waste to landfill

• Source separated recycling at a low level

• Increasing source separation reduces costs and ensures high quality recycling

• On site composter

• Furniture Reuse Scheme

• WEEE recycling and refurbishment

• Waste Minimisation- Lug A Mug

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaFgUcyGW7U

5. Promote and support sustainable travel options for commuting and business travel

• Proportion of staff travelling to work by car reduced from 40% in 2004 to 20.5% in 2012

• Cycle Infrastructure

• Discounted travel passes

• Scratch bikes

• Walk to Work Week

5. Establish procedures to implement sustainable construction and green procurement

• 3 BREEAM Excellent rated buildings

• Flexible Framework for Procurement- achieved level 1, working towards level 2

• Fairtrade University since 2006

• Support Fairtrade fortnight

6. Preserve and enhance biodiversity of the estate

• Phase I Habitat survey complete

• Creation of a biodiversity action plan

• Pollinator gardens

• Wildflower meadow creation

• Big Nature Count

• Tree Week events

7. Empower and motivate staff, students and stakeholders through environmental education and communication

Sustainable Food at Newcastle University

• 2011- 0/3 points in Green League, 2013- 3/3 points

• Healthy & Sustainable Food Policy

• Bronze Food for Life- EAT@Courtyard and EAT@Bistro

• Locally sourced free range eggs • MSc certified Sustainable fish • Seasonal menus • Recycled cooking oil

Newcastle University Environment Awards

Other initiatives

• Meat free Monday- Queen Mary University

• Water bottle tax- London School of Economics

• SCAN Student Eats Project

• Green Impact- silver/gold