The University is aiming to reduce carbon emissions.
As part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and the amount the University spends on gas and electricity, University buildings are now only heated from 1 October to 31 March. An all-staff email and news item was issued about this and other energy saving measures in October 2022.
For comfort, staff may wish to bring a jumper, or have some extra layers on hand, in case of cooler days. The temperature in buildings is being monitored to ensure that it doesn’t go below the low temperature limit of 16 degrees. Where building systems allow, heating will automatically come on should the temperature fall below this level.
The University is currently planning for next winter, and this will include a review of the heating switch off period to ensure that this is in line with the data on temperatures for each month.
Like so many institutions and households across the country, the University is facing an unprecedented rise in energy costs. The University also wants to reduce overall carbon emissions. The more the University spends on energy, the less it has available to support its teaching and research. As a result, the University must take urgent action to reduce energy consumption in University buildings. The University has adopted a science based carbon reduction target, committing itself to reduce its energy-related carbon emissions to absolute zero by 2048.
The Estates Division is already working with institutions across the University on a number of vital initiatives, including:
- Investing in energy efficiency projects and improvements through the University’s Carbon Reduction Fund and Equipment Replacement Programme
- Developing a programme of thermal efficiency improvements across the University estate
- Reducing our dependency on gas by moving towards renewable heating systems across the estate
- Making more efficient use of our existing spaces
- Identifying under-utilised buildings where heating and services could be turned down, or off altogether.