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OCTOBER.22.2007
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ISSUE 850 OCTOBER 15 2007 CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY free word - EST. 1972
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PHOTO: Ed Salter
GREEN TIMES AHEAD
Sophie Cole Science & Environment Editor Cardiff University has vowed to reduce its carbon footprint with the launch of its first ever Energy, Water and Waste Management Policy. The meeting, which took place within the Glamorgan building last Thursday, aimed to demonstrate Cardiff’s commitment to tackling its impact on the environment. The policy was signed in front of Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing.
Davidson, who was also a guest speaker at the event, applauded Cardiff’s dedication to combating Climate change and ‘making Global Warming central to one’s portfolio’. David Honeymen, from the Carbon Trust said: “Cardiff is the first university in Wales to enter into this official partnership with the Carbon Trust. This shows it is prepared to take the lead.” But David Grant, Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University, expressed the ‘challenges’ that lay ahead in Cardiff’s ‘mission’ to cut its carbon footprint. The launch also introduced the University’s newly established Energy Steering Group. Made up of key figures from the
institution, including assistant director John Newton, Head of Engineering Professor Hywel Thomas and Students’ Union President Jonny Cox, the group will be responsible for the ‘policy, strategy and target for energy, water and waste management’. David Grant, who will chair the ESG, also took the opportunity to emphasise the need for ‘personal responsibility’, as well as a ‘community commitment’ in order to make the change. In June the Times Green League of British Universities was published, ranking the environmental performance of UK Higher Education Institutions against a variety of criteria. Contrary to the launch’s notions of Cardiff ‘leading the way’, Cardiff was
listed 82nd out of 102 Universities, with a score of 18 out of 50, leaving it lagging behind Glamorgan (4th) and Swansea Institute (27th). Figures revealed within the launch also showed Cardiff University’s emissions to have been steadily rising by 10% per annum until last year, which saw a two percent reduction. It was said that the policy will see a more ‘efficient management of resources’, to measure energy consumption more precisely and ensure improvements and targets can be acknowledged and analysed. One such target aims to reduce carbon emissions by 26,000 tons in the next five years. It was implied that this will be
achieved through a ‘ten point plan’ to be implemented through a ‘Strategic Management Action Plan’. gair rhydd spoke to John Cowie, Ethical and Environmental Officer for the Students’ Union, who calculated that the anticipated reduction of 26, 000 tons in five years would cut current emissions by 56%. Cowie said: “With regards to the Green League, if this reduction happened today our carbon emissions per head would then be equivalent to that of Sheffield University, and our ranking would improve to 41. “Whilst this is undoubtedly a positive step we need to question whether this is ambitious enough for a University of Cardiff’s stature.”
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