Environmental report highlights Cambridge’s progress towards sustainability goals

cjb250 — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 08:17:56 +0000

In the foreword to the report, Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope writes: “ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge leads the world in many fields of academic endeavour, including making essential contributions to the global journey toward a more sustainable future. In the course of carrying out our research, we should not lose sight of the fact that how we carry out our research, and all of the work that supports it, also has an environmental impact.

“Through our 2015 vision, policy and strategy, we made a commitment to achieve outstanding environmental performance and we are seeing the positive impact of our efforts in some areas; however, we also recognise that we must do more to achieve our aspirations on a range of fronts.”

̽��ֱ��report aims to be transparent regarding our progress and recognises that we need to do more. It emphasises the role that every member of the ̽��ֱ�� has in helping the institution achieve its sustainability goals.

Among some of the highlights in this year’s report are:

Transport

̽��ֱ��performance of the Universal bus, which operates from Madingley Park & Ride to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus via the railway station, has significantly exceeded expectations: the number of ̽��ֱ�� passengers are up by 73%, and user satisfaction has increased to 85%. However, the percentage of staff using sustainable modes of transport to commute to work slipped just below our 75% target this year.

Energy and Carbon

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� spent £2.9 million on energy efficiency projects last year, the highest amount so far, and its direct carbon emissions fell for the third year running. However, its indirect emissions (from sources such as air travel) increased.

Waste

Despite its overall waste volumes increasing significantly due to several large construction projects, the ̽��ֱ��’s ‘zero waste to landfill’ contract has seen the environmental impact of its waste considerably reduced. It has also seen the rates of recycling for construction projects steadily fall over recent years.

“Virtually every aspect of activity across the ̽��ֱ�� has some environmental sustainability impact,” says Kevin Couling, Interim Head of Environment and Energy. “Every individual working or studying at the ̽��ֱ�� has a role to play in taking action to reduce their environmental impact. Cambridge is strongest when we work together. This is why we are encouraging everyone to take part in the Cambridge Green Challenge.”

̽��ֱ��2016 report, produced by the Environment and Energy team at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, won a Green Gown award for Sustainability Reporting, with clear reporting of key performance indicators and progress against targets.

Environmental Sustainability Report 2017

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has published its Environmental Sustainability Report 2017, setting out its progress over the past 12 months, including key achievements and where there is room for improvement.

Every individual working or studying at the ̽��ֱ�� has a role to play in taking action to reduce their environmental impact. Cambridge is strongest when we work together

Kevin Couling

Sir Cam

Cambridge in Autumn: Bicycles at Trinity College

A bold response to the world’s greatest challenge

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is building on its existing research and launching an ambitious new climate change initiative. Cambridge Zero is not just about developing greener technologies. It will harness the full power of the ̽��ֱ��’s research and policy expertise, developing solutions that work for our lives, our society and our economy.

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

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̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Kevin Couling

Environmental report highlights Cambridge’s progress towards sustainability goals

Transport

Energy and Carbon

Waste