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Buildings and people cut University of Bath's carbon emissions

A combination of building features and changing people's behaviour has resulted in University of Bath reducing its energy use and cutting its carbon dioxide emissions by 1,400 tonnes.

The university's energy efficiency measures have led it to save enough energy to supply 500 homes for a year, it claims.

Over the past two years, electricity has been reduced by seven per cent, while water use has been reduced by nine per cent in one year, saving 32 million litres of water.

This has been done by ensuring new buildings have been energy efficient, with a new student residence meeting a the highest eco-standard from the Building Research Estamblishment.

Some student blocks have had solar thermal water systems installed to heat their water.

But the changes were not just achieved by installing new building features.

Some 55 energy efficiency champions were also in action, volunteering to raise awareness of energy issues.

A competition among students to see who could reduce their energy use the most also resulted in a cut of 250 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

"The University takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Our carbon footprint due to energy use is about 22,000 tonnes of CO2, a significant amount," said Peter Phelps, Energy and Environment Manager at the University.

"We therefore have a responsibility to reduce our environmental impact and our contribution to climate change."

According to the Committee on Climate Change's report, improving the energy efficiency of buildings will have a major part to play in reducing the country's carbon emissions.

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