Greenhouse planning
Each year, 180 000 tonnes of the greenhouse gases are emitted as a result of operations from Camperdown Darlington campus.
Developing a Greenhouse Action Plan
A Greenhouse Action Plan is being developed by a Working Group with representatives from across campus to coordinate opportunities to reduce greenhouse emissions from the University’s car fleet, electricity purchasing, and waste removal.
The chapter that considers fleet is available as a draft (PDF).
Their work integrates with Energy Saving projects. The Working Group is also exploring options to “offset” greenhouse gas emissions, such as tree planting.
An Alternative Energy Sources Discussion Paper (PDF) has also been produced to support decisionmaking around options for the purchase of accredited renewable power.
Good News: Eco-Initiatives on campus
- The University's Video Conferencing Service and training workshops offer a practical and efficient alternative to air travel. Video Conferencing facilities are now available through a number of faculties. Contact Rafik Razzouk to find out more.
- After several months of research, the USYD Fleet Department has implemented a new vehicle procurement formula that includes the environment in the key factors.
Understanding our Greenhouse Gas Performance
In 2004 Environmental Strategies partnered with the Integrated Sustainability Analysis group (ISA) from the School of Physics and the University’s Finance Team to apply a world first methodology to undertake a ‘first pass’ report on the University’s ‘Triple Bottom Line’. The results considered the organisation's environmental performance in terms of greenhouse gases.
The method is unique in that it can measure the ‘upstream’ impacts associated with the supply of goods and services to the organisation.
A student developed a 'first pass' report using the University’s financial data and the software developed by ISA.
The results point to electricity consumption and air travel as key areas for reducing the University’s contribution to climate change.
Read more about the ISA's TBL reporting project.
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