Annual Environmental Sustainability Statement

Transcription

1 Annual Environmental Sustainability Statement Let s make a sustainable planet

2 Introduction Environmental management systems & legislation compliance 6 Sustainability research, innovation & knowledge exchange 8 Learning for a sustainable future 12 Sustainability engagement 14 With 33,000 students and 3,000 staff, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is a significant contributor to the Greater Manchester economy. As such, we have a responsibility to ensure our activities do not create adverse environmental impacts. In order to meet this responsibility, MMU needs to have staff, students and graduates, who are informed about sustainability and can articulate and apply their knowledge and skills in the transition towards a low carbon society. Let s make a sustainable planet is MMU s campus-wide call to action to reduce our environmental impact. Its aim is to be innovative and inclusive, and most of all, to enhance communication on this important topic. This year (2012/13) we have seen continued improvement in many areas of our Environmental Policy commitments and in our ability to measure and report success. The development and implementation of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy has led to MMU being recognised as the UK s Greenest University This has further enhanced the University s reputation on an individual, local and national basis. Strong links built with the MMU Futures initiative have increased sustainability awareness and a growth in engagement with students eager to gain sustainability skills, learn new positive behaviours and create opportunities for eco-entrepreneurship. This year the University has committed to placing sustainability at the heart of the curriculum, which has become a major sector talking point. We hope that this can become a vehicle for true integration, course mapping and measurement of Learning for a Sustainable Future, with KPIs that can track our progress and support our Global Citizens agenda. Biodiversity & growing systems 38 Water management 36 Waste management 32 Emissions and discharges to the Environment 18 Energy management 18 Sustainable & ethical procurement 22 Dr John Hindley, Head of Environmental Strategy Contents 2 3 Travel plan management 28 Sustainable buildings 24

3 Other key achievements: Making an Impact During , our achievements were recognised with the following high profile awards: MMU ranked Greenest University in the People and Planet Green League, which benchmarks Higher Education Institutions in the UK for sustainability performance Green Gown Award winners 2012 (UK and International) in the Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change category MMU member of staff, James Woodward, won the Ecologist s Higher Education Environmental Hero Award as part of the Green Impact Project 17% reduction in carbon emissions since Reuse and Recycling target improved by 9.5% to reach 40.1% 15.7 tonnes of unwanted items donated through our Zero Waste campaign, enabling the British Heart Foundation to raise 47,500 Water consumption reduced further by 5.4%, meaning a cumulative reduction of 11.1% since % of students state that the University has an eco-friendly attitude to the environment 90% of staff believe MMU is acting responsibly on the issue of environmental sustainability 84% of staff believe MMU communicates well on environmental sustainability 80% of staff are aware of the University s call to action: Let s make a sustainable planet Our electricity is now from 100% green energy sources Fairtrade University accreditation retained Level 1 of the Sustainable Procurement Centre of Excellence Flexible Framework Standard achieved MMU initiated Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership to improve the region s capacity to address the challenges of future energy demand 3% annual reduction in car kilometres per employee for business travel The European Environmental Paper Network (EEPN) assessed 60 UK organisations on their paper efficiency. MMU scored 76%, the only high flyer in the university sector for our paper reduction policies and MMU print project 4 5

4 Environmental Management Systems and Legislative Compliance ouraims Develop an integrated approach to environmental management and embed environmental issues into all University business operations, Faculties and Departments. Ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation and non-statutory regulatory requirements. our progress Platinum Level Eco Campus We have developed a new Environmental Management Systems (EMS) framework covering 12 Environmental Sustainability Policy themes and are on track to attain Platinum level Eco Campus (equivalent to ISO 14001) by We ve ensured compliance with environmental legislation and are undertaking compliance audits and developing new compliance procedures as part of the EMS. environmental management systems and legislative compliance 6 7

5 ouraims Deliver sustainability themed research activities. Support sustainability knowledge exchange between our research communities and external organisations. Use the University s operational functions and estate as potential subjects for sustainability research and innovation. sustainability research, innovation and knowledge exchange sustainability research, innovation and knowledge exchange ourprogress The addition of Sustainability Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange to the Environmental Sustainability Policy reflects the University s aim to continue to deliver and grow sustainability themed research. Our work informs curriculum development, shapes business and professional practice and influences policy-making, both nationally and internationally. MMU already has a number of Research Institutes, which aim to find solutions to global sustainability challenges. casestudy Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership MMU identified a need to create a regional Hydrogen Partnership to improve the region s capacity to address the challenges of future energy demand. Since this time, MMU have engaged a range of educational, commercial and public sector partners to form the Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership. The partnership aims to bring together knowledge and skills and create opportunities for internationally renowned research that addresses global energy challenges and tests hydrogen fuel cell technology in the region. Going forward, a series of innovative hydrogen projects, such as a Schools Hydrogen Challenge will be delivered by STEM Education North West in twenty schools across Greater Manchester during Such projects aim to create long-term results by integrating ideas about low carbon futures into the curriculum. 8 9

6 learning for a sustainable future ouraims Embed sustainable development into formal curricula to offer our students opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to live and work sustainably. casestudy Attitudes towards Sustainability Literacy A research project was commissioned to assess student, staff and employer attitudes towards sustainability literacy, assessing attitudes towards incorporating Education for Sustainable Development in the curriculum, and examining the importance of the knowledge and skills associated with Sustainability Literacy for employability. Overall, the research indicated that: The extent sustainability development is taught varies across all faculties Students studying Faculty of Business perceived sustainability literacy as having the most value to their future career and employability prospects Students who want to learn about sustainable development was consistently higher than the number of students who perceived they were already being taught it 82% of the employers questioned valued skills and knowledge associated with sustainability literacy as important for graduate employability The employers questioned valued the important of sustainability literacy to a greater extent than both academic staff and students The majority of employers questioned thought that graduates in general did not understand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development and stated that social and environmental responsibility would form part of future selection criteria The findings from this research support and reinforce the importance of MMU s commitment to put sustainability at the heart of course design, as well as recognising the role sustainability should play in order for MMU to class itself as The University for World-Class Professionals. learning for a sustainable future 10 11

7 sustainability engagement ouraims Offer opportunities to staff and students to engage with the sustainability commitments of the University. ourprogress Through our flagship engagement programme, Let s make a sustainable planet, we ve continued to engage students, staff and the local community in a range of sustainability initiatives, all of which encourage and promote pro-environmental behaviours and awareness. Sustainability is now one of the three pillars (Employability, Community and Sustainability) of MMU Futures, an extra-curricular scheme for students to gain new skills and enhance their employability. Since our sustainability journey began, we ve continued participate in behaviour and awareness focussed projects, some of which include Green Impact, Student Switch Off, Zero Waste, Carbon Literacy, Climate Week, Fairtrade Fortnight and numerous cycle events. We have also asked our staff how we are doing in a university-wide staff survey conducted in % of respondents think that MMU communicates well on environmental sustainability issues, over 80% are aware of Let s make a sustainable planet and 71% are aware of how they can engage with this. 96.7% of staff know how to save energy and recycle (along with other green practices) at work, a good indication that engagement programmes such as Green Impact are helping to shape more environmentally aware employees. sustainability engagement 2012 Green Gown Award Winners Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change 84% MMU employees think that university communicates well on environmental sustainability issues 96.7% MMU employees are engaged with saving energy and recycling 12 13

8 sustainability engagement casestudy Pop Swap As part of their Green Impact project, MMU Recruitment and Admissions team created a pop-up clothes and book exchange for staff and students. POP SWAP Pop Swap, aimed at raising awareness of more sustainable wardrobes and promoting a reuse ethos, gave our student volunteers the opportunity to work alongside MMU staff to help coordinate, deliver and promote the event. The event saw Recruitment and Admissions win the Green Impact Special Award for Innovation category, and has encouraged us to roll out a series of one day Pop Swap events where a stronger focus will be placed on student leadership and coordination opportunities. sustainability engagement Over 1000 swappable items were collected Over 300 attendees All the un-swapped items at the end of the event were donated to the British Heart Foundation

9 ouraims Emissions and Discharges to the Environment ourprogress Ensure University activities are geared towards reducing and minimising greenhouse gas emissions directly and indirectly (Scope 1, 2 and 3), derived from the University s estate and business activities. Prevent pollution by minimising local discharges to air, land and water, avoiding or limiting, the use of environmentally damaging substances, materials and processes. 0% We ve reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are now 16.8% below the baseline year. Emissions increased by 4.9% in , due to increased gas consumption during unexpectedly cold spring weather. Over the past year we have measured our Scope 3 carbon emissions. These are emissions that occur from the manufacture and procurement of goods and services, staff and student commuter travel and from the treatment of our waste and water. These are becoming part of standard measurement and reporting processes in the Higher Education sector. Going forward, the consolidation of MMU s campuses, including the closure and disposal of the Hollings, Didsbury and Elizabeth Gaskell campuses, and the opening of Birley Campus will help deliver significant improvements in the energy usage of our estate, resulting in a continued reduction in the University s carbon footprint. Will We Achieve Our Targets? To ensure that we meet our ambitious carbon reduction target of 50% by 2035, it s imperative that we develop an energy investment strategy to identify key opportunities for energy efficiency improvements in our existing estate and infrastructure % achieved Carbon Emissions Reduction emissions and discharges to the environment percentage reduction -35% target -50% target -50% Year 16 17

10 energy management ouraims Reduce operational energy consumption from the University estate to help achieve carbon emissions reduction targets and cost savings. ourprogress We have further invested in energy efficiency projects, secured 1m of external funding for LED lighting upgrades and server-room consolidation projects, and continued to roll out extensive sub-metering across the estate to better understand our consumption. Significant carbon savings generated from these projects will be realised soon. However, the University s electricity consumption increased by 2% and gas consumption by 14% in , primarily due to cold Spring weather which contributed to an increase in carbon emissions of 4.9% from the previous year. Behaviour also plays an important role in our future emissions reduction. We have developed MMU Environment Live, an energy display that communicates live energy and environmental data with building users. Launched in the Business School in 2013, Environment-Live engages users by creating links between energy performance and action. Our continued investment into renewable technologies and building efficiency improvements is essential if we are to meet our 50% emissions reduction target by 2020 and provide for our future energy needs. energy management 100% Green energy sources powering our non-resident estate 18 19

11 0% Electricity Consumption energy management percentage reduction -6.2% achieved -35% target -50% Year -50% target CaseStudy: Data Centre Consolidation Phase 2 The next phase of our data centre project, building on the work completed in Phase 1, is nearing completion. Part of a wider project to consolidate 20 server rooms to 3 by 2014, the new data centre utilises highly efficient ambient air and water chillers and is estimated to reduce the University s carbon footprint by 3% annually. The work will enable us to further consolidate the inefficient existing provision in John Dalton building, working towards a strategy to provide MMU with a state of the art data centre environment. 0% Gas Consumption 417,000 invested 591 annual tonnes carbon savings 113,600 annual saving 417,817 lifetime saving 5534 CO2 tonnes saving over lifetime of investment percentage reduction -50% Year energy management -25.1% achieved -35% target -50% target % Reduction CO2 University s annual carbon footprint through the Data Centre project 20 21

12 ouraims Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Level 1 of the Sustainable Procurement Centre of Excellence Flexible Framework Standard achieved! Invest in goods and services that are best value, giving regard to economic, social, ethical and environmental impact over their lifetime. ourprogress We ve continued to implement and deliver activities in line with MMU s ethical and sustainable procurement policies including the MMU Fairtrade Policy, Ethical Investment Policy and Sustainable Food Statement. Our Key decision makers for procurement have completed training in sustainable procurement principles and all of the University s commodity categories have been assessed for Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability risks. As a result we ve developed a comprehensive supplier engagement programme. Our Policies We ve retained our Fairtrade Certification and our updated Fairtrade Policy, which commits to increase Fairtrade education and student engagement. Our Sustainable Food Policy Statement has been reviewed and additional commitments including attaining Food for Life certification, provision for food recycling and a reduction in the supply of disposable food packaging in catering outlets has been agreed. sustainable and ethical procurement The Ethical Investment Policy has been reviewed at the Financial and Human Resources Committee to ensure strategic fit, and that the University has been operating a morally responsible approach to the commitments around the environment, governance and society

13 ouraims Prioritise sustainable design during the development and refurbishment of the University Estate to have the lowest achievable environmental impact, both in construction and throughout occupation. Provide a healthy working environment to support and promote the aims of the Health and Wellbeing Policy. Lowest impact sustainable buildings ourprogress The University has continued to progress its Campus Consolidation Programme to create a more sustainable estate with a reduced environmental impact. The new Benzie Building, housing the Manchester School of Art, opened in September Birley Campus development will open in September 2014 along with a new Students Union Building. All of our new developments will meet our energy performance and BREEAM targets. sustainable buildings 24 25

14 Towards Sustainable Campuses - 3 Zero s: Carbon, Waste and Water The delivery of MMU s consolidation of seven campuses to two is nearing completion. Our new buildings support a number of key environmental technologies and are designed to minimise environmental impacts. Birley Campus Our new community campus at Birley Fields will be home to 1200 students in a BREEAM Outstanding rated halls of residence. Birley Academic Building will house the Faculties of Education and Health, Psychology and Social Care as well as high quality facilities for community use. Academic Building Size of academic building: 20,500m² Completion date: September 2014 Forecast Energy Performance Rating: Target B Forecast BREEAM Rating: Excellent Key environmental technologies and features: Ground source local cooling and heating provided by borehole water abstraction Energy efficient Independent District Heating Scheme Building designed to retrofit photovoltaic arrays Maximum use of natural daylight and extensive use of LED lighting A borehole potable water system for drinking water Rainwater harvesting and water collection recycling systems Electric vehicle charging points in the multi-storey car park Creation of a wetland area, orchard, meadow and healthy herb garden to increase biodiversity Student Residence Townhouses Size of residences: 1,171 bedrooms Completion date: 2014 Forecast Energy Performance Rating: Target A Forecast BREEAM Rating: Outstanding Key environmental technologies and features: Timber framed construction with high thermal performance Maximum use of natural daylight, lighting controls and LED lighting Heating and hot water supplied from local district heating Energy performance monitors in each shared kitchen Prototype technologies fitted to the Innovation Block sustainable buildings Business School and Student Hub The University s new Business School and Student Hub has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, was recognised as being among Europe s best buildings by the Royal Institute of British Architects and won the Prime Minister s Award for Better Public Buildings. The iconic building was named among four outstanding examples of architecture in the North West and has been nominated for a national RIBA award in the campus category. Benzie Building Students and staff at the Faculty of Art and Design now have access to the Benzie Building, which boasts an impressive vertical gallery, workshops, a roof garden and hybrid studio areas offering flexible space, to accommodate the needs of 21st century arts education. Size of Building: 7500m² Completed Date: March 2013 Energy Performance Rating: Target B BREEAM Rating: Excellent Key environmental technologies and features Evaporative Cooling Systems use up to 80% less energy. Rainwater Harvesting Systems. Grey Water Systems to reduce water extraction from aquifers, energy use, and chemical pollution from treatment Students Union Building Size of building: 4385 m2 Completion date: September 2014 Forecast Energy Performance Rating: Target B Forecast BREEAM Rating: Very Good Key environmental technologies and features: Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) ventilation driven by air sources heat pumps. Hot water supplemented by solar panels. LED lighting sustainable buildings 26 27

15 travel plan management ouraims Minimise the impact of staff and student travel and encourage the use of efficient modes of transport that minimise environmental impact, reduce congestion and air pollution. ourprogress Over the year we hosted an Annual Cycle Event, provided free bicycle hire and training for staff and students, provided financial incentives for public transport and cycle loans and supported a number of regional projects such as Velocity and Oxford Road Bus Priority Scheme. We re going through a period of change where our campus consolidation project nears completion, and we are finding that staff and students are making new and different commuting journeys. There is an opportunity to influence travel behaviours, particularly through the promotion of sustainable travel as a real alternative to car use. For business travel, staff members are using alternative modes of transport to cars. During , business car mileage per employee reduced by 3% on the previous year Staff Survey 89% MMU employees are aware of sustainable travel incentives 3% reduction business car mileage travel plan management 28 29

16 Tram 4% Motorcycle 1% Walk 9% Bike 6% Car as passenger 3% Bus 15% 44% Staff Commuter Journey travelled by mode of transport 30% Single Occupancy Vehicle Car as driver (single occupant) 44% Train 18% Staff commuter by single occupancy and sustainable travel modes travel plan management casestudy MMU Hosted Annual Cycle Event MMU hosted the Annual Cycle Event, primarily for staff from Manchester Corridor Sustainable Transport Group in June Designed to encourage staff at partner organisations to Give Cycling A Go, the event encouraged some 400 novice and experienced staff cyclists to cycle into work by joining a guided cycle route. Throughout the day, people came to find out more about cycling and incentives, maintenance and training, security tagging and to have their bikes health checked. A free cycle hire scheme persuaded novice cyclists to try coming into work by bike. Since the event, the Manchester Corridor Sustainable Transport Group have continued to loan bikes for free to staff who are considering cycling to work. I have always considered cycling to work but hadn t had the opportunity to do so. The cycle hire scheme allowed me to trial the route to see if cycling was for me. I thought it was great that the scheme was offered for free, and the quality of the bike was excellent. I felt the health benefits and it cut my commute time in half. Dr Edward Wastnidge Sustainable Transport Modes 56% 70% /19 target *Source: MMU Staff Travel Survey 2013 of 1961 respondents (for both data sets) FREE Cycle Hire travel plan management 30 31

17 ouraims Ensure a robust approach is taken through the waste hierarchy: waste management ourprogress We have reached our reuse and recycling target of 40% one year earlier than expected, that s an increase of 9.5% on the previous year. Through our main waste contract, we ve ensured that 98.6% of general waste from internal recycling hubs is treated to produce energy. This process is set to continue and will help us reach our diversion from landfill targets. At our Cheshire Campus, the introduction of food recycling in dining areas was trialled over the course of the year. Following the success of this trial, we intend to extend the provision throughout the University. Prevent Reduce Reuse Recycle Food recycling in dining area trialled at Cheshire Campus % Reuse and recycling rate 32 waste management 33

18 waste management performancetargets zerowaste case study Reuse and Recycling (excluding capital construction and refurbishment projects) measured as percentage of wastes reused or recycled Diversion from landfill (excluding capital construction and refurbishment projects) measured as a percentage of wastes diverted from landfill Diversion from landfill (including capital construction and refurbishment projects) measured as a percentage of wastes diverted from landfill 85% Percentage Reuse recycling rate Reuse & recyling rates 39.9% achieved 40% target 40% 60% target 90% 80% 60% 95% 85% target 85% 85% Year 95% 90% Give it, don t bin it! Zero Waste was born following student demand for the University to do more about reducing our environmental impact and has gone from strength to strength. Over 80 tonnes of unwanted items have been donated to charity or recycled since the campaign began in The project, run in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester provides a route for students in halls and private residences to reuse and recycle their unwanted clothing, books, CDs, small electrical items, dry food and crockery before they move out. This year, the project gave staff the opportunity to donate their unwanted items as well, which helped increase the visibility of the campaign, and meant that MMU alone collected 15.7 tonnes of items, which were donated to the British Heart Foundation to raise 47,500! Successfully working in collaboration with the City Council and the University of Manchester meant that 75.8 tonnes were donated or recycled collectively in , and has led to the integration of Zero Waste into the Council s Waste Strategy tonnes donated Raised 47,500 British Heart Foundation % waste management 34 Year 35

19 ouraims Reduce water consumption through practical water conservation measures and reduce cost through the increased use of alternative water sources. water management ourprogress Our overall water consumption has reduced by 5.4% on the previous year, and by 11.1% since the baseline. Reductions in water consumption are set to continue as more of our estate incorporates designs and technologies for water efficiency. Birley Fields campus integrates borehole water supply, rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems that will help reduce overall water consumption. The Business School utilises water saving devices, such as efficient taps and dual flush toilets that are filled by water from the ground, constituting a 60-70% reduction of mains water consumption. A pilot scheme is underway in Booth Hall student accommodation blocks to install water efficient showerheads that will deliver significant savings in water consumption and in energy required to heat the water. Increase the deployment of sustainable drainage measures to reduce surface water run-off and flood risk. 5.5% Water consumption reduction Intergrated rainwater harvesting Water Reduction 36 water management 0% Percentage water reduction -11.1% achieved -25% target -25% 5-6 Year

20 biodiversity and growing systems 38 ouraims Protect and enhance biodiversity across the University and promote its benefits for students, staff, visitors and local communities. biodiversity and growing systems ourprogress This policy area has been reviewed to include the three key aspects of urban biodiversity conservation: protection, use by people and interconnections between sites and will be reported on in 2013/14 Our students have established the Manchester Metropolitan Urban Gardening Society (MMUGS) and transformed a lifeless courtyard into a thriving garden space at our John Dalton courtyard which helped MMU become the Greenest University casestudy MMU Urban Garden Society MMUGS The Manchester Metropolitan Urban Gardening Society (MMUGS) project was initiated by a group of students intent on making use of existing space at MMU to improve practical knowledge of gardening, the wellbeing of both people and the environment, and to highlight to importance of gardening as a way to alleviate problems such as future food supply. In early 2012, MMUGS received permission and funding to begin work on the outside space at the John Dalton Building. The new garden, completed in the summer of 2012, has raised beds, vegetable plots, fruit bearing trees and wild flowers, creating a tranquil yet functional space. Fruit trees and berries will be a valuable source of food to birds and insects, and wild flowers will attract bees and butterflies. In the longer term, MMUGS will use the garden as a space for educational, research and networking experiences to help promote and educate others about the importance of biodiversity in urban green spaces. 39

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