Go Green

What are we doing?

We want UEA to become a leading sustainable university, at the forefront of the move to a low carbon future.

Why are we doing it?

Go Green is all about reducing our environmental impact as a University Community. UEA is world-renowned for its environmental research and we’d love to see this mirrored in the way it is managed.

How are we doing it?

Go Green has three main campaign objectives this year. We hope to ensure that the university signs up:

1. To adopt a policy encompassing both ethical and environmental procurement criteria.

2. To participate in the Environmental Impact Awards in order to engage students and staff in environmental behavioural change.

3. To no longer provide travel expenses for domestic and short-range Continental flights.

What have we achieved so far?

Last year, we successful lobbied the university to sign up to the following objectives:

1. To create and implement a carbon reduction strategy within 3 years to cut UEA's total carbon emissions by levels significantly ahead of government targets (currently at least 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels).

2. To carry out a comprehensive environmental audit by the end of 2009, to establish significant time-bound targets for the reduction of specific environmental impacts.

3. To employ by September 2009 at least one dedicated full-time member of staff to be responsible for coordinating the reduction of the university's environmental impact.

How do I Get Involved?

We’ll be working with the University on these issues, but there’s plenty you can do to get involved:

If you live in halls, keep an eye out for the Student Switch Off Scheme which aims to reduce energy usage in residences. The Residence which cuts their energy the most over the year will win loads of prizes including cinema trips, LCR tickets and a lot of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!

There is also Green Wing for those of you who want to get more actively involved in campaign planning and actions. Green Wing is an activist group which will be driving the Union’s environmental work over the year. To find out more, contact Will Lacey, Environment Officer, on [email protected].

Top tips to be green and save money!

1. Install energy-saving light bulbs wherever possible.

2. Turn off those standby buttons on all electrical appliances when not in use.

3. Turn lights off when you have finished in the room.

4. When boiling the kettle only boil the amount you need.

5. Take your phone charger out of the socket when not in use.

6. Don’t run the tap when you clean your teeth

7. Buy loose fruit and vegetables, rather than pre-packed options - you will pay less and at the same time reduce waste.

8. Equipment on standby can use 25% of normal power so turn off televisions, music systems and computers when you aren’t using them.

9. Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree centigrade and save around £15 per year.

10. Reuse carrier bags or buy a canvas bag for life for carrying those books to lectures, doing the shopping and for your gym kit.