Throughout the process the Carbon Trust has been an independent and authoritative source of expertise and has helped support and encourage us on our journey to a low carbon future.
Business focus
Collaboration with the Carbon Trust has helped Cambridge University to shave £476,000 from its annual energy bills, through a joined up approach to efficiency.
Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top five universities, Cambridge was founded in 1209 and today has over 8,000 staff and more than 18,000 students. Thanks to significant expansion over the past 20 years, its energy bills were approaching £9 million by 2006, at which stage the university decided to adopt a more strategic approach to energy management.
Through our Carbon Management service, Cambridge has developed a five-year plan looking at funding, policies, procedures and internal communications. By developing its Building Management Systems, the university has gained greater control over energy consumption, and can respond promptly to waste. This alone has saved 1,130 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Energy champions
By appointing energy champions within each department, and introducing financial incentives to reduce consumption, Cambridge has ensured that efficiency is seen as everyone’s responsibility. Meanwhile across the university as a whole, lights have been fitted with variable speed drives, dimmers and motion sensors, while IT networks have been encouraged to implement automatic shutdowns or virtual servers.
At a glance:
- Annual cost savings: £476,000
- CO2 savings: 17%
- Areas covered: BMS, Lighting, IT, Staff engagement
Find out more about support and services for higher education institutions to reduce energy costs and cut emissions.