Green light for new environmental group

Efforts to reduce the University's carbon footprint are being stepped up with the creation of a new environmental taskforce.

Led by Professor Colin Reid, an environmental law specialist with the School of Law and University Secretary David Duncan, the new group brings together staff members and student representatives.

The aim is to improve the University's green credentials by concentrating on four key areas including energy and utilities usage, waste management and recycling, green travel and fair trade.

"This is about building on what we are already doing," explained Professor Reid. "What sometimes goes unacknowledged is the range of things already happening here. For example the University's Estates Department has been instrumental in promoting a number of environmental initiatives for some time including the Green Travel Scheme and energy management. The University also already promotes Fairtrade. These things are already in place but we need to do more to ensure that everyone is aware of them and is participating where they can."

"We also offer academic courses with an environmental element including a Masters in Renewable Energy and a number of modules across different departments and we undertake relevant research in a wide range of disciplines."

"Environmental issues have also been taken into account at the design stage of new buildings. Last year we won the Green Gown award for the Queen Mother Building. and the New Teaching Block is heated using waste energy."

"However, we need to do more and we need to coordinate what we are doing more effectively. Improving our environmental performance is not an optional extra - it is essential that we do better."

Dr Duncan added that the group will be tasked with producing an action plan and setting "tough but achievable targets."

"We will be working on three levels," he said. "We want to raise awareness to encourage staff and students to think environmentally and act more responsibly. We will continue using technological solutions where they exist and there will be financial incentives for departments to act responsibly."

"One of the goals is to save money. The more we save, the more there will be to invest in research, teaching and improving life on the campus. The more we waste, the less there will be for these areas."

Head of Estates, Mr Gordon Davies, who is a member of the new group, stressed the importance of working together across the whole university.

"For several years now we in Estates have been working on environmental issues such as green travel and energy management, so it is great to see all the University's green initiatives coming together under the umbrella of the Environment Task Group," he said.

The Environmental Task Group will publish its action plan on the university website.