RGU achieves highest carbon emission reduction in Scottish HE sector

These 2015/16 to 2017/18 greenhouse-gas emission statistics highlight the university’s ongoing commitment to the fight against climate change and promoting sustainability across its operations.

“We’ve rolled out a number of activities over the past few years to reduce gas and electricity consumption, contributing to this significant achievement,” said Bill Somerville, Director of Estates & Property Services. “This includes reducing building opening times following consultation with staff and students, introducing a managed heating policy, and gradually replacing lighting with LED equivalents – which last a lot longer and require less energy. Notably, all car park lighting now uses LEDs.”

Additionally, inefficient boilers in RGU’s more historic buildings have been replaced. Eco fans have been integrated into air-handling units to extend their life and improve efficiency – cutting their energy consumption in half. The overall reduction is also helped by moving all operations into a single campus.

Bill adds: “We’ve many additional projects in the pipeline which will help us to reduce this figure even further.”

The university has also taken steps to reduce indirect carbon emissions by encouraging sustainability among staff and students. A fleet of electrical vehicles has been introduced, replacing diesel and petrol cars, which are available for staff when required for business.

Vice Principal for Corporate Operations Vicki Nairn said: “To encourage greater recycling, so less goes to landfill, we’ve also improved our waste management in partnership with EIS Waste. We’re focusing on continuing to grow in this area, fulfilling our responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.”