Property & Facilities Division, The University of Queensland - Environmental Services


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UQ Carbon Strategy

In 2008, UQ started developing a Carbon Strategy. This included compiling a comprehensive inventory of UQ's greenhouse gas emissions and developing an overall plan for greenhouse gas emissions management across the University.

UQ's Carbon Strategy Objectives:

Objective 1	Align UQ's carbon mitigation program with the core business of learning, discovery and engagement so that good environmental outcomes flow naturally from UQ's everyday work.
Objective 2	Comply with government requirements.
Objective 3	Minimise UQ's greenhouse gas emissions and energy and carbon bills.
Objective 4	Sharpen UQ's position as a leader in teaching, research and technology transfer regarding energy, carbon and sustainability.

The University of Queensland's Carbon Footprint
The University of Queensland has over 35,000 students and almost 6000 staff occupying well over 600 buildings in its four campuses and over 50 teaching and research sites through Queensland. UQ used approximately 125,500,000 kWh of electricity in 2008, generating 58,309 tonnes of CO2e emissions and contributing to 74.66% of the University's carbon footprint. The remaining emissions are largely generated through air travel (20.89%) with smaller amounts of greenhouse emissions emitted from natural gas and LPG use, fuels used in the University fleet vehicles, stack emissions from the Pinjarra Hills incinerator, general waste to landfill and embodied energy from paper use.

Reduce UQ's Carbon Footprint
Air travel - What you can do ...
Consider the option of video or telephone conferencing rather than using air travel Organise schedules to make the most of each trip A range of carbon offsetting programs are available for air travellers.
Energy - What you can do ...
All areas
Switch off lights When absent from your work area for more than 30 minutes At the end of the day Don't forget lights in bathrooms, meeting rooms and corridors
Use air conditioning wisely Keep doors and windows closed in air conditioned spaces, particularly doors leading to stairwells and external areas. Use air conditioning during working hours only - to reschedule running times and/or investigate installing an out-of-hours button, email: wcc@pf.uq.edu.au
Switch off computers and monitors Monitors - when you are about to leave your desk for more than 30 minutes Computers, monitors and associated equipment - at the end of the day
When using computers Do not use screensavers, this does not save energy Set your screensaver to 'none' or 'blank screen' Adjust your power management settings to put your screen to sleep if it is not in use for more than five minutes
When using printers Where possible, use email and electronic archiving in preference to printing Use power management functions. View instructions to enable energy star at www.energystar.gov.au/consumers/stepbystep.html
When purchasing equipment and appliances ... Buy equipment that has double-sided printing and photocopying facilities. Lease or buy the most energy efficient star compliant equipment and appliances.
Laboratories
Turn off laboratory equipment that can sensibly be turned off when not in use, especially anything with a heating function, eg. heating blocks, microscopes, PCR machines, water baths.
Keep fume hood sashes at their lowest as much as possible. Fume hoods not only operate more effectively but this reduces the air conditioning load and associated energy usage.
Kitchens
Load up the dishwasher before running it for maximum efficiency.
Turn off the auto boiler at night. (Before you do this, check to see if it is already on a timer to automatically switch on and off)

View Switch Off Save Energy Poster and Brochure (pdf)

Report faults to Property and Facilities' Works Control Centre on 3365 2222 or email wcc@pf.uq.edu.au

Carbon Compliance and Legislation
In recent years, the Federal and Queensland Government has introduced new legislation to conserve energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The National Greenhouse and Energy Report Act (NGER) establishes a national reporting framework for large corporations to report greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption and production from 1 July 2008. UQ has registered to NGER and will produce its first report in October 2009. More information on NGER can be found at www.climatechange.gov.au/reporting The Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act mandates Australia's biggest companies to undertake comprehensive energy assessments using a whole of business approach and identify energy saving opportunities. Companies are required to report on the outcomes of energy assessment and the business response to opportunities identified. UQ is expected to meet the 0.5 petajoule threshold and participate from 2009/2010. More information on the program can be found at: www.energyefficiencyopportunities.gov.au

Energy Saving Initiatives and Awareness Programs at UQ include:
UQ purchases 2.5% green energy UQ subscribes to Greenfleet to offset emissions of the total plant and vehicle fleet held by the University. This includes departmental and executive vehicles and fuel used in all plant and equipment (eg tractors and generators). Energy efficiency is incorporated into Property and Facilities' design standards for new buildings on campus. Energy efficient lamps are used to replace blown lamps. Lighting and air conditioning in lecture theatres is centrally controlled to automatically switch on and off as required. Energy efficient lighting has been installed in some areas and new technologies are being trialed UQ’s Green Office Program encourages staff at the local level to switch off and save energy. An Environment Day event focussing on UQ's Carbon Strategy and Sustainability was held on 5 June 2009. View a summary of the event. A forum on UQ's Response to Climate Change was held at St Lucia campus in September 2008. View a summary of the event, along with feedback from attendees.