Environmental sustainability

Energy and CO2 emissions

Total CO₂ emissions from buildings, business air travel, fleet vehicles and water were 87,630 tCO₂ compared to 85,916 tCO₂ last year – an increase of 2%. Building-related energy consumption was 211,670,605 kWh (generating 80,615 tCO₂) compared to last year’s 211,2376,530 kWh (generating 79,140 tCO₂) – an annual increase of 1,475 tCO₂ (1.8%). In the Biochemistry building 3,500 kWh of on-site renewable energy was generated from photovoltaic cells.

Despite total CO₂ emissions increasing by 2%, the University reduced its building-related emissions by 1.4% per m² of floor area. This is because the estate grew by 18,000m² due to the development of the Biochemistry building, the Ashmolean Museum extension and the Old Road Campus Research Building.

In April 2010 the University signed up to the global 10:10 Campaign, setting a voluntary target of 10% CO₂ reduction between April 2010 and March 2011. The University financed departmental energy projects, reducing 3,572 tCO₂ through its Energy Conservation Levy, and 524 tCO₂ through the HEFCE and Salix Finance Revolving Green Fund. In addition, the University was awarded funding from the HEFCE Leadership Governance and Management fund for ‘Midnight Oil’ – a study targeting the University’s energy use in 24-hour buildings. The University will publish a Carbon Management Strategy and revised CO₂ reduction targets in 2011.

Travel and emissions

During the year business air travel generated 6,199 tCO₂ (7%) of the University’s total emissions compared to last year’s 5,826 tCO₂ (6.8%). The University’s 111 fleet vehicles generated 398 tCO₂ (0.5%) compared to 110 vehicles generating 395 tCO₂ (0.4%) last year. Sustainable travel initiatives:

• repaired 2,750 staff bicycles through the mobile cycle repair scheme
• held four safe cycling workshops for more than 300 staff and students
• provided staff pooled bikes for Old Road Campus, the Estates Directorate, Nuffield Department of Medicine and University Offices
• developed a WebEx web based online meeting service for staff

Water

The University consumed a total of 398,613m³ water – a decrease of 0.9% compared to 2008/9 (402,450m³). Indirect CO2 emissions from water accounted for 419 tCO₂ (0.5% of the University’s total CO₂ emissions) – an increase of 29 tCO₂ (6.9%) compared to 2008/9.

Waste

The University conducted a waste baseline survey, and is currently developing a waste strategy. Annual total non-hazardous waste collected by the University’s preferred waste supplier was 1,994 tonnes. Of this, 1,523t went to landfill (compared to 1,794t last year) – a decrease of 271 tonnes (15%); 471t was recycled (compared to 415t last year) – an increase of 56 tonnes (13%). The University reused a total of 2,196 items such as office furniture, laboratory equipment and stationery through the University ‘virtual’ Swap Shop.

Sustainable buildings

The University aims to achieve BREEAM* Excellent rating for all new buildings and major refurbishments over £1 million. To date, four University buildings have rainwater harvesting, increasing to six buildings in 2010/11. A ground source heat pump will be installed in 2010/11 and another by 2011/12. A combined heat and power (CHP) system will be installed in 2010/11.

*Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method