The interior of the Combined Heating and Power plant
The University has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after demonstrating its commitment to tackling climate change by reducing its carbon footprint by more than 4%.
The Carbon Trust Standard recognises organisations for real carbon reduction. Based on a rigorous, independent assessment, it certifies that organisations have measured, managed and reduced their carbon emissions across their own operations, and are committed to reducing them year on year.
Steve Dickson, Director of Facilities Management, said: “Our goal is for the University of Liverpool to become a low carbon university and this endorsement proves that our strategic approach to carbon management is not only helping to reduce our environmental impact but is also generating real cost savings as well.”
The savings have been achieved through a combination of Facilities Management-led projects funded by SALIX, the social enterprise ‘not for profit’ company, including a gas engine Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant; voltage optimisers and energy-awareness activities such as the Green Impact Awards and Student Switch Off. These projects have significantly contributed to plans to cut the University’s scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 36% by 2020.
Harry Morrison, General Manager at the Carbon Trust Standard said: “Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof that an organisation has taken genuine action to reduce its impact on climaate change. We congratulate the University of Liverpool on this achievement.”
To build on this achievement, the University is committed to investing more than £3 million of the current Capital Plan to sustainability/carbon reduction initiatives. In addition, the University is calling on all staff and students to play their part in achieving this ambitious target by not only being aware of the impact of their own day-to-day activities, but also by participating in the University’s various sustainability projects.
To find out more visit the sustainability website.
