KEELE UNIVERSITY Sustainability Report 2012 CONTENTS AND CONTACTS

Foreword by the ...... 1 Introduction by the Vice-Chancellor...... 1 ’s Environmental Vision...... 2 Student Engagement...... 3 University Carbon Management Plan...... 4 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy...... 6 Estates Developments...... 7 Waste and Recycling...... 8 Sustainable Procurement and Catering...... 9 Sustainability in the Curriculum and Student Experience...... 10 Outreach ...... 13 Research...... 14 Enterprise...... 16 Sustainability Hub...... 18

This report has Project Cameos...... 20 been printed on 100% recycled Strategy for Environmental Sustainability...... 22 paper from well Environment and Sustainability Steering Group...... 23 managed forests Key Facts...... 25

For information on environmental sustainability at Keele University please see: www.keele.ac.uk/greenkeele Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01782 733555 FOREWORD by the Chancellor Chancellor, Keele University

“Today’s students will be graduating into feel very privileged to have been invited to a pretty troubled world. Hardly a week become Keele’s Chancellor given its track seems to go by these days without some record on many different sustainability new research report on accelerating issues. But 2012 has been special even climate change or our destructive impact by Keele’s standards, and the opening of on the natural world. It’s troubled me for the new Sustainability Hub (with around a very long time that this is the principal 1000 visitors a month!) is a massive legacy we will be passing onto the next achievement. generation. As you’ll see from this Report, there’s a Which makes it all the more important for lot going on at the moment! Sustainability universities like ours to be preparing those is now critical to Keele’s future success, young people in the best possible way, and very much part of ‘the promise’ understanding the state of the world as it that we make to all our students and to is, and taking on a sense of ownership for our neighbouring communities to work what they themselves can do to contribute together for a more sustainable future.” to the solutions to these problems.

Keele University can be very proud of what it’s already done in that regard – indeed, I

Introduction by the Vice-Chancellor Professor , Vice-Chancellor, Keele University After the publication of our first annual I am also pleased to note the increased Sustainability Report in the autumn of level of student engagement with the 2011, which was well received from all environmental sustainability agenda, and quarters, I am delighted to introduce the as a result of this we now have student second of these reports. This publication representation on the Environmental covers all activity at the University over Sustainability Strategy Group which helps the last academic year 2011/12 in the to inform the University’s future plans in area of sustainability. It is issued at the this area. end of the first full year of activity of our new Sustainability Hub building, under Finally, I cannot round off the summary of the passionate leadership of Dr Sharon 2011/12 without mentioning the installation George, which has delivered an extensive of our new Chancellor, Jonathon Porritt. range of activities and events to students, We are thrilled to have Jonathon to staff, visitors, local businesses, schools and provide a guiding influence on shaping members of the general public. our commitment to environmental sustainability moving forward. This year has also seen us make an explicit commitment to embedding sustainability I am confident that 2012/13 will see many in our new Distinctive Keele Curriculum more achievements for us to report on for all students, and ensuring that our way to becoming one of the most sustainability features strongly within the environmentally sustainable universities in student experience. In support of this, the UK. Dr Zoe Robinson has taken on the role of Director of Education for Sustainability, and her work in this area over several years earned her a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in 2012. To complement the teaching, we have seen a range of major research projects, new or continuing, which either enhance our understanding of sustainable behaviours and their motivations, or will result in outcomes that Professor Nick Foskett, could directly influence government policy or potentially affect future decisions taken Vice-Chancellor, Keele University by large corporations. 1 Keele’s Environmental Vision Professor Pat Bailey, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Environment & Sustainability)

One of the important features of our us to develop growing and providing environmental vision is that we’re of produce by/to students), a series of addressing sustainability across all cycling initiatives to encourage more use aspects of the life and work at Keele of this mode of transport, and a range of University, as can be seen by the key commitments concerning procurement themes that are covered in this report. and catering. Within that context, we have tried to identify a small number of key projects The purpose of this report is not only to in which we have made a significant step identify our successes, but also to point change each year. to ways in which we can improve. In the People & Planet Green League Table One of the most significant ‘step changes’ (GLT), we improved our ‘score’ by a in 2011/12 has been in our visibility and substantial 5 points, but this still left us in outreach through the Sustainability Hub, 64th position [and a 2(i) classification]. which was opened in October 2011, and One reason for this modest performance has run and/or hosted hundreds of events is the size of our estate and the relatively during its first year in operation. small size of us as an HEI, which penalise us in the metrics; nevertheless, we aim The other really significant area of to improve to a 1st class institution over development has been in the embedding the next 2-3 years, and many of the of sustainability in the curriculum; whilst improvements introduced over the past there is still much to do, it already 2 years will only now start to seriously forms a key feature of our new Keele impact on some of the GLT criteria. Distinctive Curriculum. It is being led by Zoe Robinson, supported by 3 part- In terms of awards, 2011/12 also saw time project officers who will work with a number of successes. We were Schools across the University, whilst shortlisted for a Green Gown Award in also carrying out PhD research on the sustainable education category, and sustainability projects. came runners up in the Lord Awards for the vertical axis wind turbine There have been many highlight events technology (go and see the prototype and new initiatives, so I can only mention operating at the Hub) which is being a few to give a flavour of this report. developed by the company McCamley. Green Week, held in February 2012, We were the only university in the top saw a host of student-led activities, the category of the government’s Carbon premiere of Mark Edwards’ astonishing Reduction Commitment league table, and photographic exhibition Hard Rain: Whole Zoe Robinson was awarded a National Earth, and the installation of Jonathon Teaching Fellowship for her educational Porritt as our new Chancellor which innovations in the area of sustainability culminated in an inspiring lecture by him over several years. at the end of the day. This report provides the springboard for One recurring feature of this last year our activities in 2012/13; as it is being has been the tremendous engagement completed, plans for Green Week are by students, whether through running being put in place, the Sustainability Hub events during Green Week, setting up has won a number of grants to increase a Green Student House to showcase outreach and public engagement, and sustainable living, establishing the the date for a sustainability conference is Think:Green Society, or the involvement being finalised. I hope this report inspires of the Students’ Union in taking forward you as it summarises our achievements the sustainability agenda. during 2011/12, and provides cameos of specific projects, and I’m confident Other especially notable things during that the next 12 months will be equally 2011/12 include the establishing of productive. the allotments (which quickly led to a Student Eats award which will allow

2 Student Engagement Written by Luke Bellamy & Carl Brindley

Green Week the culture of living more sustainably. MIXED Student participation in environmental The SSB has created a strong social issues has increased over the last year platform, and last year saw a large RECYCLING and Green Week attracted a large number of people willing to help out AT KEELE volume of new students, many of whom with the shaping of the project inside Please empty all contents before recycling - RECYCLING MUST BE IN CLEAR had rarely, or never, engaged with the house and in the garden. Those BIN LINERS (NO BLACK BAGS ALLOWED) environment-related activities within the successes continue this year as students University before. Green Week acted learn through the activity of managing Cardboard as a catalyst to enable these students a sustainable home. There is a strong to get involved with sustainability. possibility that applications for the Paper and There is now a high level of enthusiasm opportunity to live in the project this Magazines Plastics amongst students about supporting year will be competitive. (grades 1 to 4 only, e.g. bottles, cling fi lm, sustainability initiatives and bringing the food wrappers) green message to the University. Staff Engagement was not just limited to Cans and and students worked together to plan students who got involved with the Foils a week of activities, ranging from art bungalow project, but also involved staff DO NOT INCLUDE installations to a green themed “night from a variety of sections across the GLASS, POLYSTYRENE, FOODS, LIQUIDS ETC. out” at one of the campus bars. University including Estates, academic Glass waste recyling points are planned departments and Accommodation Think:Green Services, who all worked together The Think:Green Society was born on various aspects of the project, out of Green Week and the Keele demonstrating what can happen Environmental Group (founded by Scott when people come together to make Reid & Sam Green in 2009) and this year sustainability work. reached over 120 members. The students involved with the Think: Green Society A veritable A-Z of vegetables was are currently producing a feasibility produced throughout the year and fed proposal for expanding food-growing facilities staff, professors and even the facilities across campus. This is being Vice-Chancellor! Oh and, of course, the led by students from a variety of subject students! areas, and is a truly interdisciplinary attempt at applying their knowledge to understand the problems of food production and supply on campus, whilst thinking of practical sustainable solutions.

The Think:Green Society has now become a Student Led Service (SLS) within the Students’ Union. The students in Think:Green elected for this change to happen, so that the Society could become more embedded within the student body politic, whilst gaining improved access to funding, and to increase engagement with all students regarding matters of sustainability.

Sustainable Student Living The Sustainable Student Bungalow (SSB) is a unique project that started in September 2011. It has created a platform for students to get involved in growing their own food, and embracing

3 University Carbon Management Plan

The University is committed to reducing Carbon emissions against target its and has launched, Over the last year Keele University has in partnership with the Carbon Trust, reduced its carbon emissions by 3.20% a Carbon Management Plan (CMP) against a target of 3.37%. that aims to reduce carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 based on 2008/09 figures. As part of the CMP we aim to further improve energy efficiency across campus, reduce waste and increase recycling rates.

We have launched an environmental awareness campaign amongst staff and students, with the aim of reducing energy wastage and encouraging improved environmental behaviour in other areas such as waste and travel.

The reduction in carbon emissions is fixed, regardless of business growth. This presents the University with some Increased investment in our challenges given the following: infrastructure The University has been fortunate to • Student numbers have increased by secure some external funding from nearly 10.5% from 2008/2009 HEFCE as part of their SALIX/HEFCE • There has been an increase in Estate “Revolving Green Fund” which is used to size building area 141,000m2 (2001) support the implementation of energy to 153,000m2 (2012) = 8% saving projects that will achieve financial pay-back within a five year period, with • There are now longer opening or the estimated savings put back into the operational hours in some buildings, fund to be reused. The Salix financial especially the Library & catering year runs from 1st April to 31st March, outlets so these figures refer to that period. • This target doesn’t take into The University’s performance in utilising account an increased level of utility the fund has gained recognition from consumption as a result of the Salix for the second year running. This construction of new buildings by measurement is based on a number of external contractors who use our factors which show how efficiently the utilities, especially electricity & water available funds have been spent and how to facilitate the project work (e.g. efficient are the rewards i.e. payback & Union Square, Students’ Union, the energy/carbon savings. new Day Nursery). ‘Salix would therefore like to congratulate We continue to publish all our utilities you and your team for the second year data on the University’s website, and this running on the strong performance of can be easily accessed by visiting your fund and at the end of 2011/12. We www.keele.ac.uk/greenkeele would confirm that out of seven delivery measures, Keele University is placed in Award recognition the top five on two occasions; and have April 2012 has also seen the first year of come third on spend rate and fourth on the performance league tables for the spend vs. fund size.’ Carbon Reduction Commitment and Keele is proud to have achieved joint 1st position and to have been the only academic institution to do this.

4 Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) were originally intended for the scheme. report However, it places us in a strong position The University is a participant in the concerning current and future monitoring Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) of our CO2 emissions, and has provided scheme based on the mandatory ruling the following reduction and savings in on the amount of electricity and gas it 2011/12: consumes annually. This scheme was initially designed as a carbon credits trading scheme where participants Data & results were obliged to purchase allowances Baseline 2011 figure – 12,663 tCO2 based on the annual consumption Financial Cost @£12 per tCO2 = £151,956 of gas & electricity. The scheme was designed to encourage energy efficiency Submitted 2012 figure – 12,086 tCO2 and reduction whereby they would Financial Cost @£12 per tCO2 = £145,032 be financially rewarded based on the position they were in a league table. Reduction in CO2 - 577 tCO2 There are two early action metrics: mandatory Automated Meter Reading Financial saving = £6,927 (AMR) on all fiscal (primary) meters, and a recognised energy efficiency accreditation such as the Carbon Trust Standard. The University has had AMR on all the primary meters for a number of years (2008) and also has achieved the Carbon Trust Standard. (The Carbon Trust Standard existed previously as the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme-EEAS, which the University gained initially 2003 then reaccredited in 2006 & 2008 when they were invited to participate in the newly formed Carbon Trust Standard). It was decided in 2011 to pursue re- accreditation, which would satisfy all the early action metrics of the CRC rules. The University was successful in September 2011 in achieving the standard with good assessment marks (90% in all categories). Because of its complexity, the scheme is currently under review, so Keele may not receive the financial rewards that

5 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy

The economic plight of the Eurozone Wind Energy countries, and to a lesser extent the UK, Wind energy research has been a source has made the government and many of both funding and initiatives at Keele companies take their eye off the ball - with the Applied and Environmental with regard to environmental issues; but Geophysics Group being selected to the fact that in many places across the carry out research for the National Grid globe CO2 values have already reached on offshore wind turbines. In addition, 400 ppm and are increasing at almost 2 a new vertical axis turbine was installed ppm per year means that we are only a at the Sustainability Hub with McCamley Structural vibrations of the quarter of a century away from the 450 Ltd. An MSc project on modelling McCamley turbine (highly ppm tipping point which is critical for and measurement of this new design, exaggerated!) keeping temperature rises at an almost which can start in very low winds and acceptable 2 degree centigrade rise. We be deployed on buildings, was carried continue to make progress on campus out by Megan Turpie – a student on the energy, although perhaps at a more staid MSc Environmental Sustainability and pace than we might have hoped. Green Technology programme. Using a modelling software package, Megan modelled the vibration characteristics Coal Bed Methane of the turbine and the tower on which Various energy issues including shale it was installed and, together with gas and its associated seismicity have Dr Rachel Westwood and Sam Toon, brought unconventional hydrocarbons, carried out a validation measurement including coal bed methane, into the programme. This was shortlisted as public eye in perhaps not quite the way one of the projects for this year’s Lord which was planned. Discussions are Stafford Awards and was runner-up in its underway with IGas as to how the Coal category. Bed Methane (CBM) project can move Other notable projects this year forward from a pilot scheme to be a real included Alistair McClaren’s analysis of contributor to Keele’s energy budget. performance and particularly infra-red modelling of the Hub Building and its comparison to the Apedale Sustainable Geothermal Visitors’ Centre, and some interesting Despite winning a large grant from the results have emerged for both buildings. Infra-red thermal Image of Department for Energy and Climate part of the Sustainability In particular, it has emphasised the Change’s Geothermal Fund (£500,000) challenges posed by renovation of old Hub. Bright values indicate the short timescale in which to deliver heat loss buildings to the highest sustainability this project (three months) meant that and low carbon standards, especially it was not feasible for the University to when they are as multi-functional as initiate geothermal drilling. However, the Hub Building. However, the high this has generated a great deal of occupancy of the Hub Building is very interest in Keele’s work from a number of pleasing. geothermal companies, inspired by the Keele concept both on the campus itself, Solar/Photo Voltaic Energy for generating energy for Stoke City A project carried out last year by an MSc from Minewater Geothermal extraction, student which we reported in last year’s and also for geothermal energy from Sustainability Report, on campus solar the younger Permo-Triassic Rocks of energy, in parallel with work by Estates, the Cheshire basin with GTEnergy in has led to a significant deployment of Manchester City Centre; and we hope to solar PV on the new Nursery building The McCamley vertical axis be able to take some of these forward on and it is hoped that more solar energy turbine on Keele Campus at a more realistic timescale. can be rolled out over the rest of campus the Sustainability Hub. in the coming year.

6 Estates Developments

Student Eats Cycle to work scheme Keele University has been selected as Keele University launched the staff cycle one of eighteen institutions to take to work scheme in March 2012, which part in the Student Eats project. This allows eligible employees the tax-free new scheme, funded by “Local Food” hire of bicycles and related safety and the “Big Lottery Fund”, will create and security equipment. The scheme a network of new local food growing operates through a Government initiative sites on eighteen English university and aimed at getting more people to cycle college campuses. At Keele University to work. Since its launch 19 University the funding is being used to develop employees have taken advantage of the our allotment site to provide additional scheme. space for a student society to grow their own food. Student Eats will also support Over the last year eleven new bicycle existing food growing at the “Sustainable storage areas have been installed across Student Bungalow” on campus - an campus, in consultation with the Bicycle exemplar of sustainable student living. Users’ Group. Plans are also in place for the University to partner with a bicycle As part of the project, Keele University supplier to provide students with low will have a polytunnel installed and an cost, practical and accessible bicycles. existing glasshouse utilised to extend the growing season. Produce grown by the students will be sold to students on campus from a food co-operative.

We hope over the next year many more students will gain valuable skills and knowledge on how to grow their own food.

7 Waste and Recycling

Since the introduction of a new waste updates on their Hall’s recycling recycling contract in November 2010 (at performance and an inter-halls’ recycling which time we had 0% recycling!) Keele competition. The winning Halls of University has increased recycling rates Residence receive money to be spent on

Image: Wrap Artwork Image: Wrap to 44% for the 2011/12 academic year. the Halls of Residence social space. This includes the recycling of dry mixed recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastics, Providing easy-to-use, conveniently and cans), glass and food waste from all located recycling facilities is paramount central services and academic buildings to achieve high recycling rates. It is on campus and from Halls of Residence. also important that recycling points and awareness materials are clearly labelled. Other waste is generated on campus Therefore, the University has adopted from other activities, the most significant the use of the national wrap artwork of which is green waste at over 500 which is easily identifiable and conveys a tonnes per annum. Although this waste is consistent format for awareness-raising composted, it (bizarrely) counts against material. Many students and staff are us in the Green League Table. familiar with the wrap iconography as it is widely used by local authorities on Awareness Raising recycling published material. In order to raise awareness and monitor progress the University has arranged for Future Developments the waste contractor to provide monthly A target has been set to achieve a 60% waste and recycling consumption recycling rate by 2014/15. We hope data based on actual weight of waste this will be achieved by increasing the and recycling collected. Utilising this provision for internal recycling and data, a university-wide league table of also putting in place further recycling recycling performance (%) is published collection points throughout the campus. on a monthly basis to raise awareness and encourage improved recycling performance.

Students are incentivised to recycle within Halls of Residence by regular

8 Sustainable Procurement and Catering

Key developments • Our kitchens recycle plastic, ‘Keele’s catering outlets are striving cardboard, paper and glass. to reduce the negative impact on the • Waste oil is collected and used for environment and people’s lives of the bio-fuel. food that we serve. For example: • We have replaced all polystyrene takeaway boxes with biodegradable • We aim to provide menus that are products. seasonal with locally sourced food where appropriate to reduce the carbon footprint. Future Developments The purchase of bottled water has a • Only free-range eggs, sourced considerable environmental impact, locally, are purchased and sold in when compared to tap water. This our catering outlets and used in our includes the carbon emissions associated conference menus. with the transport and production of • We were awarded Fairtrade status the bottles. Over the next year we aim in February 2008 and sell a range to promote tap water as a sustainable of products including cakes and alternative to bottled water. This will be orange juice. We also use Fairtrade done through clearly indicating where sugar, hot chocolate and tea. safe drinkable tap water is available on • Our coffee is Triple-certified: campus, and adding refilling stations in Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest key areas. Alliance. • We segregate our food waste from our kitchens which is used to generate green energy from an anaerobic digester by our waste contractor in Cannock, .

9 Sustainability in the Curriculum and Student Experience

Our approach to embedding funded by the European Consortium for sustainability in the Political Research. curriculum Embedding sustainability in the curriculum is one approach for integrating sustainability holistically into Keele is committed to embedding the University’s core activities and its sustainability into all of its educational culture, and there is already significant programmes, to offering co-curricular provision of sustainability education. sustainability opportunities for all Putting sustainability at the heart of the students, and to developing a culture of curriculum and student experience at sustainability within the University. The Keele continues to follow a multi-strand strategies for embedding sustainability approach covering the following areas: education into the curriculum and culture of the University were supported • Staff development: through Education by Keele’s participation, alongside for (ESD) seven other institutions, in the Higher workshops tailored for different Education Academy’s pilot ‘Green disciplines and for new lecturers Academy’ change programme in 2010/11. • Integration into undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes: The commitment to embed sustainability as part of the Distinctive Keele into the curriculum is reflected in Curriculum, which sees Sustainability high level policy, for example the as one of three strands alongside University Environmental Policy lists Internationalisation and Employability ‘Greening the Curriculum’ as its first running throughout students’ goal. Sustainability is embedded within curriculum and co-curriculum the University’s Graduate Attribute experiences statements, and sustainability is one of • Discrete undergraduate sustainability three key themes running through the modules, such as the ‘Greening new Distinctive Keele Curriculum (DKC), Business’ elective available to all 1st ensuring that all programmes explore year undergraduate students, giving ways of embedding sustainability in their students the skills and motivation to courses. This activity and commitment drive positive sustainability change in from the university mirrors student organisations demand for sustainability coverage in the curriculum, as evidenced by a recent • Integration into PGR training survey of Keele undergraduates. • Specific sustainability-related programmes, such as the BSc in Under the environment/sustainability Environmental Sustainability, MSc in theme, we have about 200 Environmental Sustainability and Green undergraduates studying a variety of Technology, MAs in Climate Change programmes, and a similar number of Studies and Environmental Politics, and postgraduates. All of these courses a new programme in 2012/13, a BA in (UG and PG) have a project component, Environmental Studies often in collaboration with industry, • Co-curriculum developments for and many of these will be directly students to become involved in aligned with activities in the Keele sustainability projects, through University Sustainability Hub, thereby volunteering, campus-based enhancing its materials, resources and sustainability developments, research outreach capability. At the doctoral projects, and student-led projects such level, members of academic staff run a as the Sustainable Student Bungalow prestigious two week summer school project (see page 21). on environmental politics and policy for twenty international PhD students,

10 • Continuing Professional Development workshops delivered to key members activities, building on the success of programme teaching teams. This of Project Green, Keele Connect is in addition to an existing workshop and Destination Green, using our on wider sustainability issues at Keele sustainability expertise to expand carried out as part of the programme sustainability education beyond the of workshops available to all university boundaries of the University campus, staff and delivered within the Keele to business and local communities. Knowledge Programme. • Teacher education through integration into PGCE programmes, and exploring New discipline-specific sustainability the meaning of ESD for trainee modules teachers’ own subject specialisms, Some disciplines which may not for example considerations of ‘green traditionally be associated with ICT’ in ICT, to the renewable nature of sustainability, have started to integrate building materials in the Tudor period sustainability into their teaching in history. programmes. For example, the School of Pharmacy ran a module called ‘Sustainable Pharmacy’ as a third year New Education for option module as part of the MPharm degree for the first time in 2011/12, and Sustainability developments will be further embedding sustainability in 2011/12 into core teaching for a wider number of 2011/12 has seen Keele developing its pharmacy students in 2012/13. 2012/13 reputation in provision of sustainability also sees the start of a new History within the curriculum and student module entitled ‘Nature, Society and the experience. Below are some of the Past: An Environmental History of the highlights of 2011/12. Western World 1800-2000’.

Appointment of first Director of Engaging students through consultation Education for Sustainability and 2011/2012 saw the first of what are to Sustainability Project Officers be regular sustainability consultation The University appointed its first events. During Green Week in February Director of Education for Sustainability 2012 a Sustainability Forum was held in 2012, showing a genuine commitment for staff and students, providing a to embedding sustainability into the forum to discuss ideas for sustainability curriculum and student experience. improvements in the overall student To work alongside this role three experience, and for students to new Sustainability Project Officers feed these directly to those with have been appointed who will help responsibilities for environmental and support curriculum developments, staff sustainability activity at Keele. development, and work with students to support student-led projects and ‘Think:Green’: New student coordinate co-curriculum sustainability sustainability society opportunities. A new sustainability-focussed student society was established by students in Sustainability and staff development 2012. This society developed from the Throughout 2011/12 a number of new free elective module ‘Green Business’ staff development activities around which had a powerful effect in catalysing sustainability have been held. This student activism and motivation to drive includes a workshop on Education forward their own projects. for Sustainability delivered for all new academic staff as part of the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Programme, and discipline-tailored

11 Sustainability in the Curriculum and Student Experience (continued)

National sustainability course Veolia. The graduates have completed recognition placement projects on such diverse The BSc in Environment and sustainability-related projects as Sustainability course was shortlisted for helping a renewable energy company a Green Gown award in the ‘Courses’ with their rebranding and marketing, category. The application focuses on the to helping a wildlife trust develop their transformative impact of the course on evaluation tools for their environmental students undertaking it, and the impact education programmes, to improving it has in producing genuine ‘change environmental management systems. agents’ motivated and capable of driving The graduates also develop their positive sustainability improvements and awareness of issues around sustainability becoming future sustainability leaders. in organisations by completing two 15-credit M-level masters including one on ‘Greening Business: Carbon and National Teaching Environmental Management.’ Fellowship for Education for Climate Change leadership Sustainable Development A collaborative project is underway to work develop a module entitled ‘Strategic Dr Zoe Robinson, the new Director Leadership for Sustainability and Climate of Education for Sustainability has Change’, funded by the European Social been awarded a prestigious higher Fund. The project brings together the Education Academy National Teaching expertise from four different universities Fellowship, largely for her work in in the : the University the field of Education for Sustainable of Wolverhampton, Birmingham City Development, both supporting activity University, and Keele at an institutional level and for a number University. The project aims to provide of national level projects in this area. a masters level module that can be undertaken as part of an employee’s Destination Green CPD, that will provide support for Following on from the highly successful individuals with environmental and and award winning projects, Project sustainability responsibilities within their Green and Keele Connect, 2011/12 has organisation seen a continuation of this scheme, with Destination Green, where 19 un- or For further information on sustainability under-employed graduates have been curriculum developments and projects placed with over 16 large companies, at Keele contact Dr. Zoe Robinson, including Rolls Royce, Churchill China, [email protected] Seddon Property Services, Carillion and

12 outreach

“Classes in the Sustainability Hub were inspiring and educational, as the building is an example in itself of green living” Over the last year we’ve been fortunate Bespoke workshops are developed for to have an amazing outreach facility each audience and tailored to meet the in our new Sustainability Hub building. needs of the national curriculum. SfS Activities inviting the general public also runs workshops specifically for have been key to the success of the Hub schoolteachers to help them build the since its opening. Events are usually free confidence to tackle sustainability issues and aim to invite people to engage with in their own classrooms, and participates the University facilities, services and in public events, bringing issues of programmes. A range of workshops and sustainability to the wider public. seminars have been made available to the public in areas of sustainability from Between September 2011 and 2012 “beekeeping for beginners” to “water workshops have been delivered by SfS conservation in developing countries”. to a total of 1760 school children from In December 2011 the Green Christmas the ages of 5 to 16. In both 2011 and Fayre attracted hundreds of visitors. Day 2012 SfS was part of the ‘science tent’ at events such as “Dig it!” have been held the music festival ‘Bestival’ on the Isle of for both the old and the young to come Wight which has an attendance of over and explore the joys of gardening and 50,000. The team offered hands-on composting, with the aim of fostering experiments and interactive displays in inter-generational knowledge exchange; the science tent which directly reached and the first “Family Fun Days” were over 3000 members of the public on launched during the summer school each visit. SfS also participated in a holidays for families to engage with number of other large public events concepts of sustainability and science including the ‘How Science Works’ days through fun activities. at the Potteries Museum in Stoke-on- Trent, and attended the British Science The Sustainability Hub provides a Festival (Aberdeen) in September portal for schools to access a range 2012, as well as some smaller events of expertise and facilities from the in conjunction with East . In November 2011 more than Borough Council and Staffordshire 40 pupils from Sandon Business and County Council. Enterprise College, St. Josephs College, Haywood Engineering College and St. Thomas More Catholic College took part in a “Really Rubbish” day. Children focused on issues of recycling, re-use, waste and litter and their impact on the environment during fun activities as they made Really Rubbish music, jellyfish, a world map and even a Dalek. The children planned lessons, assemblies and projects to take back to their own schools.

As well as events delivered at the Sustainability Hub, the continuing work of the Science for Sustainability team (established in 2006) takes the message of sustainability out to local schools and offers events at a variety of venues. Science for Sustainability (SfS) delivers interactive and innovative workshops to schoolchildren of any age from reception to A-level classes, covering many aspects of sustainability from renewable energy and waste to climate change and life cycle analysis.

13 Research

In 2011/12 Keele has continued to that they trust and are grounded in their strengthen its reputation as a research- own contexts. This information will be led University with several large grant extremely informative in highlighting the successes, including some linked best ways to increase environmentally to the environmental sustainability sustainable behaviours amongst agenda. One of Keele’s strengths in populations. Sixty household interviews environmental research is the inter- and a number of focus groups have now disciplinarity of its research. Research been conducted and data collection in E&S includes academic staff from is virtually complete. The project many Schools and disciplines, including: team is now working on analysing environmental science, geology, and disseminating the data. This will physical and human geography, life include a professional AV production sciences, chemistry, mathematics, aimed at communities and the policy computer science, psychology, politics, community.. The findings will be valuable international relations, public policy, across a range of energy policy contexts, education, sociology, English, economics, including fuel poverty and the coalition and business and management. In Government’s Green Deal. 2011/12 we had 39 research students in the environmental sustainability area. In addition, there are two other large consortium research projects underway In the 2011 Sustainability Report we at Keele with links to the environmental covered Keele University’s success in sustainability agenda. securing a large inter-disciplinary project entitled ‘Reducing Energy Consumption Dr Sami Ullah is part of a successful through Knowledge Networks’ consortium grant titled “Analysis and (RECCKN). This is one of seven inter- simulation of long-term/large-scale Dr. Sami Ullah, part of a disciplinary projects funded by the interactions of C, N and P in UK land, team investigating the ESRC and EPSRC under their Energy freshwater and atmosphere”. This impact of landscape position and Communities collaborative venture. consortium project, worth £2.5 million, and land use type on soil It is worth £0.5M and is running from is a joint project of eight national denitrification rates in the 2011 to 2013. The project is examining institutes including Keele, NERC’s Centre Ribble and Conwy River the impact of social demographics on for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster, watersheds. the level of community engagement in British Geological Survey, Liverpool ‘green’ behaviours, such as recycling University, University of Lancaster, or using low-energy light bulbs. The , Rothamsted project team is looking, in particular, at Research and the James Hutton Institute. how information about energy is shared between people and organisations Out of the total £2.5 million grant and is comparing two communities from NERC, £270k is directly awarded with different socio-economic profiles to Keele to investigate the impact of (Newcastle-under-Lyme and Shrewsbury landscape position and land use type respectively). The project team expects on soil denitrification rates (sequential the differences between the two reduction of mineral nitrogen to N2O and communities to generate a range of N2 gases) in the Ribble and Conwy River contrasting insights for understanding watersheds in the UK. how energy-relevant knowledge circulates within different communities. In a global change and food security By investigating these ‘knowledge context, mineral nitrogen as a fertilizer networks’ the team is moving away and as a water and air pollutant has from the idea that information provision significant ecological and socio- in a top-down direction is what is economic implications. Therefore, needed to make people ‘change their knowing the extent of denitrification in behaviour’, with the recognition that soils is of critical importance in informing if new knowledge about energy use is us how best to cope with the emerging to be injected into people’s lives it will nitrogen pollution issues of our water have to be done using existing networks and air resources and to optimize

14 efficient use of nitrogen fertilizers. Other areas where our research strengths and expertise in E&S are really Dr Maria Heckl (Mathematics) is leading important are in our research-related a European consortium grant entitled enterprise activities and interactions with ‘TANGO’ which is looking at how to business and in our outreach and public address combustion instabilities in engagement activities, in both of which devices such as gas turbine engines and we have a nationally leading reputation domestic burners. and have won significant external recognition and awards. More detail on this is covered in the following sections. In recent years, the development of clean combustion systems with the resulting reduced pollution of the environment has become a priority; however, such systems are particularly prone to combustion instabilities. There is an urgent need to understand the physical processes that are responsible so that methods to predict and prevent these instabilities can be developed. “One of Keele’s The research in TANGO is intended strengths in to address these issues. Fundamental environmental studies will give physical insight into research is the inter- the three-way coupling between sound, combustion and vortices in a combustion disciplinarity of its chamber. On the applied side, TANGO research.” will develop active and passive control methods to allow safe operation of gas turbines on a variety of fuels and operating conditions.

TANGO is a multi-disciplinary project that provides training for 13 early- stage resarchers and one experienced researcher in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, mechanical and control engineering, all from an analytical, numerical and experimental perspective. The consortium has been chosen so as to bring together complementary skills from internationally renowned experts from both academia and industry. The “icing on the cake” of this large engineering project is the number of female scientists involved: 5 out of the 9 scientists in charge are women. It is expected that this will act as a magnet for young women who are considering a career in science or engineering. The network thus addresses the EU policy of increasing the number of female researchers in Europe. In order to promote the public understanding of science, the researchers will engage in various outreach activities.

15 enTERPRISE

CONTRACT RESEARCH & wind farm development and wind turbine generated noise may interfere CONSULTANCY with seismic signal acquisition and Keele works with National Grid to processing. research the effects of offshore wind farms on carbon capture & storage The Applied & Environmental Geophysics reservoirs Research Group (A&EG) at Keele, led by The UK emits approximately 650 million Professor Peter Styles, with assistance tonnes of carbon dioxide each year from the , is and the Government has pledged to working with National Grid Carbon Ltd cut emissions by 80% from 1990s levels (NGC), a subsidiary of National Grid by 2050. One of the key technologies set up to develop CO2 transportation identified to help deliver this challenging and storage infrastructure in the UK, target is Carbon Capture and Storage to investigate whether the vibrations (CCS). A large proportion of the CO2 caused by off-shore wind farms located produced comes from the burning near prospective reservoir sites might of fossil fuels to generate electricity. impact on seismic data acquisition for The idea behind CCS is to capture CO2 storage reservoir monitoring. the CO2 emissions and store them in a safe environment, thereby reducing Previous work by A&EG at Keele has the amount of CO released into the 2 been able to characterise the effects of environment. There are three processes land based wind turbines on the seismic behind CCS, all of which are technically monitoring station at Eskdalemuir challenging and demanding: (part of the UK’s commitment to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty • the CO2 must be captured during Organisation) and to develop algorithms the industrial process which allow the Ministry of Defence • the CO2 must be transported from to predict the effects of new wind the site of capture farms and set thresholds within which • it must be permanently stored in permitted development can take place, subsurface strata and this has led to over 1.5 GW of wind generating capacity with a value to Scotland of over £1.5 billion being All three of these facets are technically released for development in the southern challenging and demanding, but uplands of Scotland. particularly challenging is the safe, long term storage. The CO2 is “sequestered” in reservoir rocks under the North Sea Offshore wind is a key strand of the and the monitoring of these reservoirs Government energy policy and it is using sophisticated time lapse 3D anticipated that it will provide 17% of the seismic monitoring is vitally important UK’s energy needs by 2020. Clearly, it is in everyone’s best interests that offshore in CO2 storage reservoir management and post-injection assessment. However, wind and CCS are able co-exist together the North Sea is also a preferred in the harsh but energy-rich environment location for large scale offshore of the North Sea.

Photograph courtesy of www.FranceHouseHunt.com, supplied under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence.

16 SUSTAINABILITY INTERNSHIPS Project examples included: Keele has a track record of providing successful internship schemes focussed • Updated Carbon Audit and in the areas of the environment and Development of Carbon Reduction sustainability. Previous schemes, starting Strategy in 2009 with “Project Green” and • Office Waste Management continuing with “Project FIT” and “Keele • Carbon Project Connect”, have been very successful in placing graduate interns in local and • BREEAM-In-Use implementation in regional SMEs. Over 225 graduates were VES waste treatment facilities placed into an environmental project or • Clay and Glaze Reclamation Project environmental company, out of a total of • Elimination or best possible 330. alternative for packaging waste Currently, we know of three graduates Launched in February 2012, “Destination who have been taken on by their Green” an is internship scheme aimed organisations. at providing graduates with the much needed experience they need, whilst helping organisations with their sustainability agenda.

19 graduates were placed into internships between March and August 2012, all with an environmental focus. Internships lasted 14 weeks at a cost of £100 a week to the organisation. In return, they were provided with a graduate to work at their premises on a full-time basis, 2 visits from a Keele academic to help them scope their project out and attendance at a workshop at the University. Graduates received a bursary of £250 a week and were enrolled onto 2 post-graduate modules, “Greening Business” and a placement module, fully paid for by Keele.

In total, the Destination Green team worked with 16 organisations, 5 of which had never engaged with Keele previously: Rolls Royce, Churchill China, Seddon Property Services, Carillion and Veolia.

17 Keele University Sustainability Hub

Joan Walley, MP for Stoke North, during source heat collection the keynote lecture at an inaugural • Solar PV panels symposium at the Hub, entitled • Solar thermal units “Collaborations in Sustainability”, said it was absolutely essential for • Underfloor heating universities to be at the heart of the • Evaporative cooling unit environmental agenda and described • Rainwater harvesting for flushing of the Hub as a really important facility for toilets North Staffordshire • Efficient toilet flushing systems to conserve water A catalyst for collaboration • Efficient lighting system Keele University Sustainability Hub is incorporating LEDs and sensor situated in a prominent position near controls the main entrance of the campus. It is • Sensor controlled ventilation comprised of an energy demonstration • Biomass heating generator room, a 90 seat lecture theatre, a • 1 kW prototype vertical axis wind computer laboratory, teaching rooms turbine and a unique Earth Observatory that is home to laboratory and teaching • Furniture featuring “Sting” fabric equipment for science outreach. The manufactured using nettles building opened its doors for business New technologies and advances in in October 2011 and hosts a range sustainability are not only demonstrated of teaching and training, events and but present opportunities for research meetings and research activities. and development. The leading The facility has not only provided an collaboration with McCamley Ltd, to inspirational meeting point for groups install and test a prototype vertical from the campus residential, academic axis turbine, was a runner-up in the and student communities but has helped Sustainable Development category of attract local and national groups and the prestigious Lord Stafford Awards. organisations to the campus enabling During 2011 and 2012 the efficiency of engagement, attracting new students the building and its waste processes was and igniting new collaborations. In its the focus of six separate dissertation first year the Hub attracted around projects for students on the Masters in 1,000 unique visitors a month. We Environmental Sustainability and Green also received £140K from the Wolfson Technology. Foundation, after which the lecture theatre will be named. Science by Stealth The Earth Observatory within the A History of Innovation Sustainability Hub is the outreach wing Home Farm was built in 1833 on the of the complex. It features laboratory site of the original . It is one furniture, exhibits and equipment for of 20 “model farms” built in the 1830’s running outreach activities aimed at as part of the drive to feed the growing the general public and schools. The population. Model farms were designed centre offers a full range of facilities and to enable agricultural experimentation expertise in science education and how and improvement. The buildings were science relates to the world around us used until the 1980’s and became in the context of sustainability. Visitors derelict. The buildings were renovated are able to interact with facilities in between 2009 and 2011 at a cost of the Sustainability Hub and the campus around £3.5 million preserving many of and explore the grounds as they learn. the original features and incorporating Activities are based on four main new technology. Today the building components: Hydrosphere; Atmosphere; features: Geosphere and; Biosphere.

• 6 x 100m boreholes for ground

18 19 Project cameos

Allotments Grey Matters In the Spring of 2012 the approval was given for an allotments scheme on the Grey Matters is a membership project, University campus. Discussions had funded by the Keele Key Fund (an been underway about such a scheme for alumni-fund), focusing on inter- some time and the University’s Executive generational activity and knowledge Committee recognised that it fits well exchange featuring social, practical with Keele’s Strategic Plan commitment and learning events around the theme to ‘develop an environmentally aware of sustainability. Keele University and sustainable outward facing campus Sustainability Hub welcomed more than community’. More specifically, there 50 delegates to its first Grey Matters is a commitment in the University’s event in November 2011 to launch a Environmental Policy to ‘support the new membership project. The all-day development of staff and student event included an interactive talk on allotments to promote engagement with Sustainable Living by local, frugal-living local food and the food life cycle’. expert Paulette Harrison, a talk on Grow Your Own, by Marcus Chilton-Jones, The site has been developed in the Curator at the Dorothy Clive Garden, walled garden on campus. Historically, and a talk on Green Technologies for this area was used to grow food for the the Home, by Dr Joanna Wright and Sneyd family (the landowners at the Dr Sharon George (lecturers within the time and resident in Keele Hall in the School of Physical and Geographical 19th Century), and, more latterly, to grow Sciences). Delegates discussed and plants for commercial purposes. The debated key issues throughout the site was originally carefully selected and day which resulted in a series of The first allotment holders designed for optimal growing conditions. Sustainability Top Tips. with the University’s However, since foundations were laid to Chancellor Jonathon Porritt allow the construction of greenhouses The project managed by Dr Sharon against the high back wall in the ‘60s, it George links students and older people was determined that the most effective around 3 main themes: way of using the area now was to create a series of raised beds. • Gardening • Sustainable Living Construction took place over the • Changing Planet Summer 2012 – in spite of driving rain which at one stage left the site looking like a bog! However, there are now 10 raised beds in place which are tended by a group of allotments holders selected from amongst staff, students and the local community.

The allotments are overseen by an allotments management group who meet regularly to manage the scheme and discuss day to day practicalities. To find out more about the scheme please see: www.keele.ac.uk/greenkeele.

20 Sustainable Student Bungalow Installation of the Chancellor In 2011 four students from the BSc Jonathon Porritt was officially installed in Environment and Sustainability as the new Chancellor of Keele programme lobbied the University for University at a special ceremony in the the opportunity to live in a bungalow University Chapel in February 2012. He on campus that they could turn into is the University’s fourth Chancellor and an ‘exemplar’ of sustainable student succeeds Professor Sir . living, giving them the opportunity to His installation as Chancellor was the first ‘live what they are learning’ and to use official event in Keele’s 50th Anniversary the house to encourage other students year. to live more sustainably. The students moved into a standard bungalow on the The new Chancellor told a packed University campus in September 2011. audience in the University Chapel: Throughout 2011/2012 the students have “This is quite a privilege for me – quite built a substantial vegetable garden with a daunting experience to be honest. funding from the Keele Key Fund, have This is a very heavy responsibility monitored their energy use, segregated placed on my shoulders and a very and monitored all of their waste interesting time to take up this role as production, and explored collaborative the University embarks on the 50th consumption and behaviour in their Anniversary of its incorporation.” He day-to-day living. The students have said he was “absolutely delighted and disseminated the project through a blog, deeply honoured” to be the Chancellor (http://livegreenkeele.blogspot.co.uk), of Keele University – “ a critical part of website my excitement at taking up this role is (www.keele.ac.uk/livegreenkeele), that Keele is already an exemplar in many Twitter aspects of sustainability and academic (http://twitter.com/livegreenkeele) rigour, good science and the use of and Facebook page knowledge are an essential part of what (http://tinyurl.com/aopbhhb), we are doing.” Professor Nick Foskett, in addition to the Keele student Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: magazine Concourse, and externally “We believe that Jonathon’s appointment through The Sentinel , and as Chancellor recognises and underlines Radio Stoke. The project has involved our core values and ambitions. His many more students than just the four own profile as critical thinker, as clear living in the house. The ‘housemates’ advocate for the values that we share, as estimate they have had over 100 visitors believer in the importance of evidence- to the house, with many of them getting based and science-based policy and involved in establishing and maintaining decision-making, and of course his the garden. For 2012/13 an application leading commitment to the sustainability process was undertaken to select the of current and future society matches new ‘housemates’. Four new students closely what we uphold at Keele. We have taken over the project and the look forward to his support, to his running of the ‘Sustainable Student wise counsel and to his engagement in Bungalow’, with two students from the developing and delivering our vision for BSc Environment and Sustainability Keele and its students over the coming programme and two students from years, as we seek to further enhance the different programmes. achievements, profile, reputation and influence of Keele University.”

21 A strategy for environmental sustainability

The strategy is summarised at the top the needs and opportunities at the level through the University’s Strategic University, and they now comprise: Map, which identifies environment and sustainability (E&S) as one of its 6 key • Student Engagement aims in the 2010-15 Strategic Plan: • University Carbon Management Plan • Renewable and Low Carbon Energy STRATEGIC AIM 5: To develop an environmentally aware and sustainable • Estates Developments outward-facing campus community • Waste and Recycling • Procurement and Catering STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES • Sustainability in the Curriculum & Student Experience • To provide models of innovation and good practice in environmental • Research sustainability through all our • Outreach activities • Enterprise • To unlock the potential of the • Keele University Sustainability Hub University Estate so that it underpins • Communications the attainment of our vision • To share and provide the University’s expertise in environment and There is obviously significant overlap sustainability to local, regional, between many of these topics, but national and international the identification of theme leaders has communities and partners enabled us to deliver a wide range of successes over the past 12 months. A For these aims and objectives to couple of the areas are worthy of special be delivered, there needs to be an mention. Firstly, communications are a operational plan lying beneath this, really key issue as far as sustainability is and this has been driven forward by concerned, and this is being coordinated quarterly meetings of the Environment by Ximena Canter; early in 2013, our new & Sustainability Steering Group Web pages will be up and running, and (ESSG). This group comprises key we are working closely with students representatives from the wide range of to agree the best ways to disseminate activities that relate to sustainability, important issues on sustainability. with the theme leaders providing Secondly, whilst we are delighted at the updates and proposing new ideas. An successes of the cycling initiatives, it is especially productive tactic has been clear that transport issues will need to be to identify projects for which ‘task and more explicitly addressed by ESSG in the finish’ groups could be established, coming years. which has successfully led (for example) to the implementation of a range of The point of this report is to enable us to initiatives to support cycling (led by recognise our achievements each year, Huw Evans), and to the establishment but also to identify areas in which we of an allotments scheme (led by Andy need to make significantly more progress Dobson, with Huw Evans working with in the next 12 months. Hopefully you Keele Students’ Union on winning our have found the report encouraging, Student Eats Award). During the course inspiring and challenging. of the past year, there have been some important modifications to the themes covered by ESSG, to reflect better

22 Environment and Sustainability Steering Group

Professor Patrick Bailey, Professor Andy Dobson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor of (Environment & Environmental Politics Sustainability)

Luke Bellamy, John Downing, Think:Green (Student Head of Grounds Sustainability Society) President

Carl Brindley, Huw Evans, Students’ Union Environmental Manager Environmental Officer

Phil Butters, Dr Sharon George, Director of Estates & Sustainability Hub Development Manager

Ximena Canter, Dr Peter Hooper, Faculty Business Head of Research and Manager for the Faculty Enterprise Services of Natural Sciences

23 Environment and Sustainability Steering Group (Continued)

Andy Irwin, Professor Peter Styles, Keele Postgraduate Professor of Applied and Association President Environmental Geophysics

Joe Turner, Dr Sherilyn MacGregor, Students’ Union President Senior Lecturer in Environmental Politics

Other Key Contacts: Professor Mark Ormerod, Pro Vice-Chancellor Martyn Wilde, (Research and Energy Manager, Enterprise) Estates and Development Directorate Paul Richards, Senior Operations Manager, Estates and Development Directorate Cathy Partington, Andy Parry, Head of Projects, Head of Operations, Estates and Development Estates and Directorate Development Directorate Susan Warrender, Head of Catering, Commercial and Business Engagement Directorate Linda Sutton, Head of Procurement, Dr Zoe Robinson, Finance and IT Directorate Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science/ Dr Joanna Wright, Physical Geography Sustainability Hub Co-ordinator Dr Andy Brooks, Enterprise Business Manager, Research & Enterprise Services Chris Stone, Public Relations Officer

24 EnvironmentAL Sustainability KEY FACTS

1. Sustainability is now embedded as a core theme in the Keele Distinctive Curriculum. 2. Research on Environment and Sustainability at Keele University has attracted around £5M of external funding since 2009. 3. Keele University has set an ambitious target of a 34% reduction in Carbon emissions by 2020 based on 1990 levels. 4. The University purchases 100% green electricity from renewable sources. 5. We have a range of renewable energy technologies installed on campus such as: solar thermal, biomass, ground source heat, a micro wind turbine, a solar PV array installed on the new Day Nursery and further PV installations planned within the coming year. 6. The University has been awarded the Carbon Trust standard for year-on-year reductions in carbon emissions. 7. Keele University recycled 42% of all waste generated in 2011. 8. Students can join the Keele Bicycle Users (BUG) group at http://www.keele.ac.uk/kc/ watch out for a new bicycle hire scheme and guided trips from campus. 9. Keele University is taking part in an exciting new project with the National Union of Students (NUS) called “Student eats”. This is to help students grow their own food on campus and set-up a cooperative to sell the produce back to students and local residents. 10. Keele University holds Fairtrade status for selling and promoting Fairtrade products on campus.

To learn more about the University’s commitment to the environment and sustainability visit: www.keele.ac.uk/greenkeele

Report prepared by the ‘Environment and Sustainability Steering Group’, October 25 2012