Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Wed, 2016-07-27 10:29
We all know that we can do more by working together. That’s the lesson to be taken from five projects conducted at the University which used staff power to identify and deliver projects improving the sustainability performance of departments across the University.
Green Impact provides a framework to help departments green their workplaces. Steps include improving recycling and getting sustainability into job descriptions, through to raising awareness of biodiversity issues.
The five teams in question had worked through the Green Impact ‘workbook’ and having reached the highest level (previously gold); they were looking for a new challenge. In 2015/16 a new ‘Excellence’ award level was introduced which encouraged gold teams to create a sustainability project of their own. Each team decided on their topic, developed a project plan and reported back to E&E on their progress throughout the year.
The University’s Maintenance Unit ran a project which worked to increase the use of pool bikes instead of pool cars. The team first carried out a review of the current pool bike scheme. They consulted staff and looked at options for expanding and improving the existing scheme; they procured bike odometers to measure use, investigated a new booking system, and set plans in motion for the building of a new bike shelter.
The Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Green Team worked towards reducing the impact of freezers across their three buildings. They carried out a freezer audit of their -80C and -20C freezers, and developed a database which listed a range of information about each freezer. Using this information the team were able to identify units which need replacement or repair and the team have worked to improve the way freezers are used in the department. They directly monitored the energy use of several freezers to give average energy use figures, providing a useful estimate of total energy use. The department is now in the process of putting in place actions that arose from this project and are developing guidelines for the department.
The School of Clinical Medicine’s Excellence project also looked at freezer energy use across departments in the school. The team conducted a survey of all freezers and based on the findings wrote an energy efficiency proposal to all of the Heads of Department in the school detailing the actions that departments could take to improve freezer efficiency. The project has resulted in all departments developing a Freezer Management Plan, increases in the minimum temperature of freezers, and the introduction of an electronic inventory for every freezer in the school. The team are continuing to work towards implementing a replacement schedule for freezers over 10 years old.
The Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL) ‘Sustainable Food at Work’ project looked at using food and interaction with food topics within the department, as a means to promote sustainability. This project resulted in the reinvigoration of the departmental vegetable patch and the recruitment of 21 staff volunteers to work in the garden. CISL also reviewed internal food and beverage purchasing to ensure the use of 100% Fairtrade and organic products, drafted guidance for staff booking catering at external events and created guidance for external suppliers.
At Clare College, a small student-led team worked on a project to deliver a carbon neutral May Ball. The group’s aims included zero net greenhouse gas emissions, and no more non-recyclable waste than on a normal day at the College. Thanks to extensive measuring, monitoring and reporting on the project, the team has been able to achieve their goal and develop recommendations and guidance to be communicated to other colleges and organisations who would like to reduce the environmental impact of their event.
There will be an opportunity this coming academic year for Green Impact teams who completed their Gold awards last year to create their own Excellence project. A guidance document has been produced which details the process for Gold Green Impact teams to take the next step. Staff who are interested in participating in Green Impact for the first time can visit our website for more information.