Adapting the university to a changing climate

The evidence is clear: our planet is warming, and global heating is locked in for many decades, bringing extreme weather and climate shocks. The university is looking to understand the risks of climate change to our campuses and potential actions to alleviate any impacts.   What is adaptation?  Climate adaptation means taking targeted actions to …

COP26: how can the university reach net zero carbon emissions?

Following the publication of the University Strategy (2020) and its emphasis on environmental sustainability, the university has set ambitious science-based carbon reduction targets for scope 1 and 2 emissions (predominantly natural gas and grid supplied power use). Reaching net zero Science based targets determine what reduction we need to achieve to deliver ‘our fair share’ …

Gamify university carbon-reduction strategies to encourage action, Nottingham University student suggests

With global climate temperatures set to increase by 1.5C between 2030 and 2052, we face an urgent need for genuine and sustained change. As a collective, as a species and as a community, individuals and institutions from all areas of society must come together and act to prevent the impending climate change catastrophe, and universities …

Local charities rehome University furniture

The University’s Estates Office is being transformed into a Professional Services Hub to promote hybrid working. As part of this, Business Support Manager Rob Severn has been helping local charities make use of the surplus office furniture and preventing as much as possible from going to landfill.                  …

We often talk about things being controlled by the BMS, but what actually is a BMS?

Building Management Systems (BMS), were first introduced in the 1980’s with the advent of the personal computer. By linking to inputs (sensors measuring temperature etc) and outputs (boilers, pumps, fans etc), it was possible for the first time to control the conditions in a building from another location.  The University first installed a Transmitton system …

Renewable Technology on Campus

This summer, the Estates Development Framework (EDF) was published; its role is to provide direction for future University development and management by setting core goals. The overall theme of the EDF is ‘evolution without a carbon footprint’, and you can read it here.   To support the vision of the EDF, and to support the University’s …

Gardens in the Sky

Did you know that we have more than 10 green roofs across a number of our building on both University Park and Jubilee Campus. Green roofs aren’t anything new and we have been covering roofs with vegetation for centuries, whilst those early installation provided protection from the elements and good insulation they were neither waterproof …

The S-Lab Laboratory Design and Services Conference at The University of Nottingham

Director of Sustainability Andy Nolan talks about the upcoming S-Lab conference hosted in the new GSK Carbon Neutral Lab at Jubilee. We’re really pleased to be hosting the forthcoming S-Lab conference here in Nottingham on September 21st. The event is part of the launch of our new GSK Carbon-Neutral Sustainable Chemistry Laboratory, which we hope …

£1.35 million project to deliver 1,150 tonnes of carbon due to go live

Carbon Reduction Manager, Martin Oakes, talks about the latest carbon reduction project that will deliver significant carbon savings. The main boiler house at Sutton Bonington which used to house a waste incinerator now houses two combined heat and power (CHP) units which will produce heat and electricity for use at the campus. This £1.35m project will deliver around …

BREEAM- what is it all about?

Walking around the University’s UK campuses, you can hardly fail to see the current building work and the creation of new facilities. The team that is responsible for the effective delivery of these building projects is the Development Team, based within the Estates Office. The Development Team ensure that any new development meets all necessary …