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The University of Lincoln has been awarded “Green Level” in an accreditation assessment by the Investors in the Environment organisation. The award recognises the progress that the University has made in reducing its environmental impact and in developing systems to promote sustainable development.

Investors in the Environment (iiE) is a nationwide environmental accreditation scheme designed to help businesses save money and the environment by improving their energy efficiency and reducing their environmental impact. There are three levels of accreditation – Bronze, Silver and Green. The University has been awarded the highest Green Level. The Investors in the Environment (iiE) scheme, which has been adopted by more than 1,000 businesses across the UK, has three levels – Bronze, Silver and Green.

The accreditation audit took place in October and looked at issues such as environmental policy, resource use, sustainability targets and objectives, action plans for improvements and the measurement of performance. The accreditation report stated “The University of Lincoln is an example of sustainability on a large scale with various departments and student accommodation located on a centralised estate.  They have already implemented various resource efficiency improvements in order to meet the demands of a growing student population as well as meet 2020 targets”.

 

You may have seen our lovely new Fairtrade cotton shopping bags at Freshers’ Fayre but did you know that we’ve got a target to reach with regards to reducing our carbon emissions?

In February 2011 the Board of Governors approved the University’s first Carbon Management Plan which set a target to reduce campus emissions by 43% by academic year 2020/21 against a 2005/06 baseline year.  This is a figure set by the Higher Education Funding Council for England for the HE sector.  We are currently on target to reach our first interim target of 29% reduction by 2017/18 BUT we will only achieve this if everyone makes an effort to reduce their energy consumption.

What can you do?

– very simply make sure you switch things off when you don’t need them anymore;

– challenge whether something needs to be left on (there are plenty of energy myths out there);

– could you put on a jumper/ open a window to increase your comfort rather than switching on a heater/ air con?

 

 

 

Want more information?

We’re in the process of updating the Carbon Management plan but it’ll be due in Spring 2015.  In the meantime if you have any questions please email environment@lincoln.ac.uk

 

All films are FREE to attend.  All will be shown in Cargill Lecture Theatre.  The events are usually quite lively – we normally have a relevant speaker and Q&A after the films!