Our achievements: energy, carbon and water

• Flicking the Switch: Reducing Campus Carbon Footprint during Lockdown
  We have been working to ensure that the University’s energy consumption, carbon footprint and utility costs are kept to the absolute minimum during lockdown.
• Bright Ideas
  Smart lighting installed in the Biomedical Sciences Building’s virology suite offers improved adaptability while reducing energy consumption, maintenance and consumables costs.
• Setting a green example
  In August 2018 the Botanic Garden installed two new waterless toilets to save energy and reduce waste.
• Fossil Free for Bristol
  Investments in the energy sector will now focus on companies which are having the greatest impact on reducing carbon emissions.
• Lighting the way
  Lighting has been refurbished across the University to cut carbon and costs, and improve the internal environment for students and staff.
• Growing plants with LEDs
  The Life Sciences Building used low energy, low heat LED lighting to grow plants in the rooftop GroDome.
• Smart heating for student halls
  New technology has offered a smarter way to heat University rooms.
• Gold standard energy saving for Goldney Hall
  The student halls used to have a reputation for poor temperature management and energy wastage.
• Hanging inefficient equipment out to dry
  A lab equipment replacement project that minimises environmental footprint by 65%, and saves £38,000 in energy costs.
• Voltage optimisation
  The University's voltage optimisation programme saves 1,500 tonnes of CO2 a year, reducing both electricity costs and CO2 emissions.
• School of Arts regeneration
  A major regeneration project in the School of Arts is rated 'Excellent' thanks to its exemplary level of environmental performance.
• Renewable energy
  In 2011, we began installing renewable energy sources across University buildings, in order to lower our CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on the National Grid. Projects have focused on two main areas: photovoltaic solar (PV) panels to provide energy, and air-source heat pumps to produce hot water in electrically-heated halls of residence.