The University has a net zero target for 2030. We have already reduced our total carbon emissions by 42% since 2014/15. However, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warns, in order to keep global warming to below 1.5 C, global greenhouse gas emissions will have to drop 60% by 2035 compared with 2019 levels. We are currently developing our Decarbonisation Plan with experts from the University of Cambridge to ensure our actions align with these ambitions. Each of us, staff and students have a shared responsibility to reduce our energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, to tackle the climate emergency.
As we head into Spring, with the days getting longer and warmer; we are asking all students to be energy champions. That means turning off lights, projectors, computers and other electrical equipment when not in use to help cut our energy consumption and carbon emissions across the University. The Sustainability Team will be monitoring the energy usage across all buildings, and we will compare April 2023 to April 2022 to see how much we save.
In addition, we will be reducing heating provision in teaching and office spaces (non-residential) from 1st April 2023. This will mean that heating systems in non-residential buildings will not operate in April when internal building temperatures are at a comfortable level for the occupants (18-19 degrees Celsius).
If there is cold snap or a severe drop in external temperatures, which result in internal temperatures dropping below this threshold, the heating systems will operate to bring the internal temperatures back up. If you typically feel cooler, please be prepared with additional layers if you need them. However, these temperatures should be comfortable for the majority of building users.
We appreciate everyone’s support to reduce our carbon emissions. If you have any suggestions please forward to the Sustainability Team by emailing greenchester@chester.ac.uk
We deliver free Carbon Literacy Training to students– which covers the climate emergency, the need for action and the steps we can take both in our personal and professional lives to reduce our carbon emissions. Further details and delivery dates can be found here, https://www1.chester.ac.uk/sustainability/events alternatively email carbonliteracytraining@chester.ac.uk to explore a specific session for your team or department.