Getting serious with green targets
[ The University of Melbourne Voice Vol. 2, No. 4
17 March - 14 April 2008 ] By Christina Buckridge
The University of Melbourne has adopted serious targets for carbon footprint reductions for 2008–2010 and for 2030 as it moves towards carbon neutrality.
These targets, adopted by the University Council, are based on the desirability of reducing the environmental impact of the University’s operations.
A program of measures has been introduced that would see the University achieve a 50 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint by 2010 and 100 per cent by 2030.
Senior Vice-Principal Mr Ian Marshman says the University of Melbourne has a key role to play in reducing environmental impact. “The University has a population of around 50 000 using an extensive range of complex equipment necessary to its teaching and learning and research activities.
“That makes it important for this University to show strong leadership in the sector and in the general community in making a substantial move toward carbon neutrality.”
In 2008, the University has allocated up to $350 000 to purchase additional green energy and abatement measures, approximately $700 000 in 2009 and $1.0 million in 2010. It has also allocated $3.5 million during 2008/2009 to implement energy management initiatives identified during an energy audit carried out in 2006.
From this year, the University’s Dookie, Creswick and Burnley campuses have been declared as 100 per cent green energy users.
Overall, the University aims to increase its certified green energy from five per cent in 2006 to 10 per cent this year, 15 per cent in 2009 and 20 per cent in 2010. Targets for reduction in energy use are 10 percent in 2008, 15 per cent in 2009, and 20 per cent in 2010, and for carbon offsets five per cent in 2008, and 10 per cent in both 2009 and 2010.
Currently the University participates in the Green Fleet Vehicle Emissions Offset Program. It is considering a carbon offset approach which generates electricity from landfill gases (mainly methane gas which is far more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide).
As part of its broader environmental planning agenda, the University is looking to improve its performance in managing water use, waste management and recycling, purchasing and transport (including the possibility of a levy on air travel to remediate its impact).
Mr Marshman says measures will be introduced to enable progress in each of these areas to be monitored and reported reliably. “Fortunately, there are good examples of how this can be done in our Universitas21 partner institutions,” he said.
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