Environment Network (UPEN)
January 2013
Green Portsmouth
The University is seeking to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% from 2009/10 levels by 2016, with around 1/3 of this to come from ‘good housekeeping’. This will inevitably involve changes in the way in which we work – a challenging thing to do, but long term will involve considerable financial savings.
One of the objectives of UPEN is to “support efforts to improve the environmental performance of the University”.
There are a number of achievements and initiatives of note over the last year, but we are keen to see UPEN adopt a greater leadership role to assist the University in the good work it has already accomplished.
We have achieved a first class award in the People and Planet green league – coming 16th out of 145 HE institutions – the energy and environment team within estates absolutely need our help if we are to maintain this success. In addition that same team has ensured that we have attained ISO14001 – the international standard for an environment management system. Our Students Union continue to maintain their position in the NUS impact awards, and as a result of 2 Gold awards in succession are participating in the Green Impact Student Unions Excellence Award for 2012/13. Following the success of UPSU, the University has enrolled in the NUS Green Impact programme. Green Impact is a framework to help University staff improve their department’s environmental performance – if your department has a team, do please support them – if it does not, please do what you can to encourage participation.
There are a number of projects that continue to seek ways in which we can integrate our research and teaching with this agenda – perhaps the greatest way in which UPEN can support the University. If you are working in this area, or have ideas relevant to your subject / department, please contact David Hutchinson.