University highly commended at National Green Gown Awards 2016

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The University Energy Team and Sustainability Team from the Estates Department within Facilities, Residential and Commercial Services (FRCS) have been highly commended at this year’s Green Gown awards for its Co-generation Carbon Climate Care project.

The Green Gown Awards event celebrate sustainability initiatives with 115 finalists representing 1.5 million students and 240,000 staff across the Higher Education sector.

Co-generation Carbon Climate Care project

The highly commended Carbon Climate project at the University has built an energy centre with a combined heat and power (CHP) plant and introduced a range of energy saving measures. This included new CHP units installed within a listed building showcasing a magnificent heritage restoration project of a former coal fired boiler-house. Without these energy efficient measures over the past 10 years the University’s carbon emissions would be 50% higher than our current position.

The benefits of the Carbon Climate Care Project have included:

  • Carbon footprint per student has decreased by 15%;

  • Avoided 5,418 tCO2e (tonnes of CO2e) through the generation of electricity;

  • Avoided 14,000 tCO2e from generating heat;

  • Met 100% of the Liverpool campus’ energy needs;

Vice-Chancellor Professor Janet Beer said:  “Receiving this award is sector-wide recognition of the efforts and dedication of our staff and students to reduce our carbon emissions. The long term planning undertaken to fulfil our strategy to reduce the University’s environmental impact – in line with our ongoing commitment to building a sustainable campus – is acknowledged by receiving this award.”

Education for Sustainable Development Project

From a collaborative partnership between the Sustainability Team, Centre for Lifelong Learning, Liverpool Guild of Students and faculties the Education for Sustainable Development Project was a finalist at the Green Gown awards.

The project utilised a cross-disciplinary “living laboratory” approach, where students studying Environmental Science, Biological Science, Engineering and could propose recommendations as to how their University can incorporate sustainable principles and design into its campus developments.

For a full list of winners at this year’s Green Gown Awards visit: http://www.greengownawards.org/2016-winners1