Carbon Management

It is now widely accepted that greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans are having a negative impact on the environment. Nearly all human activities cause the greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change. The most important greenhouse gas, arising from human activity, is carbon dioxide (CO₂). In 2007 carbon dioxide accounted for 85% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide emissions arising from energy supply (40%), road transport (22%), business fossil fuel use (16%) and residential fossil fuel use (14%). Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas, accounting for 8% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2007. In 2007 the main sources of methane emissions (excluding natural sources) were landfill sites (41%) and agriculture (38%).

Cutting carbon emissions as part of the fight against climate change should be a key priority for Universities and Colleges - it's all about getting your own house in order and leading by example. The UK government has identified the Higher Education sector as key to delivering carbon reduction across the UK in line with the Climate Change Act targets. (R Rugg, Carbon Trust) HEFCE have also linked capital funding to environmental performance from 2011 and requires institutions to produce a robust carbon management plan.

Harper Adams University College is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and has taken various measures to do this, such as;

• Taking part in the Carbon Trusts Higher Education Carbon Management programme (HECM6) and produced a five year carbon management plan. The University College has committed itself to invest £4.17m in carbon saving projects and reduce its carbon emissions from 3,886t CO₂ (current 2009/10 emissions) to 1,946t CO₂ by 2020.
• Together with over 3,500 other businesses of varying size signed up to the Prince's May Day Network, which is the largest group in the UK committed to take action on climate change.
• Was awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in early 2010, for reducing its carbon emissions year on year over the last three years, and achieving a 6.9% relative reduction in 2008/9 over the average of the previous two years.
• Has agreed to meet both the sector and Government carbon reduction target by signing the statement of intent on sustainable development by university and college leaders in January 2010.
• Won a number of accolades for sustainability, such as, the Times Higher Education Award 2008/9 for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development, for its contribution to sustainable development by local food sourcing, relating it to food metres rather than food miles by using produce from the College Farm and local food producers within the community, been 'Highly commended' for three Green Gown awards (2005, 2009 and 2010) and won the regional finals for the regeneration in the RICS Building awards 2010.
• Took part in the Universities That Count survey 2009 to benchmark itself against other institutions on how it deals with environmental and social responsibility issues.
• Various awareness campaigns to encourage employees to reduce their carbon emissions at home and at work.

The graph below shows how our carbon footprint in 2009/10 is made up. Highlighting that buildings and street lighting are the largest consumers of gas and electricity.

3,886t total CO₂ 2009/10

Buildings and Street Lighting 3,538t CO₂ 2009/10