Green activities to proceed at Business and Social Sciences
The project ‘Sustainable Campus’ plans to pave the way for a more sustainable main academic area.
2011.05.19 |
‘Sustainable Campus’ (previously entitled ‘Green ASB’) is originally an offshoot of the former ASB strategy for 2009-2012, which is built around the main theme of ‘Sustainable growth through innovation’. The aim of ‘Green ASB’ was to create a sustainable business school by reducing the energy consumption, and in general decreasing the burden on the environment, and thus cutting back on nature’s resources.
The project has been on hold for some time now, given that the academic development process has been in focus. Awaiting clarification as to whether part of the main academic area was to remain at Fuglesangs Allé, where a number of activities are based, was also an essential break.
Big savings on the energy bill
The reduction of the energy consumption has already proved to be successful, as, since 2009, the former ASB has focused determinedly on energy savings within areas such as IT and AV-equipment, lighting, ventilation and heating. For one thing, this has resulted in total savings of approximately 246,000 DKK on ASB’s energy bill, in 2010.
Specific steps worth mentioning are the switches to LED bulbs and energy-friendly sockets, which combined have decreased the consumption of power by 93%. Duplex-print (print on both sides) has also been set up as the standard on all student printers to reduce the use of paper. Furthermore, a sorting of waste has been effected in two different buildings. Work is also being done to expand the knowledge of video conferences so the environmental impact from the employees’ travels can be reduced.
Model for energy management to be implemented at the entire AU
Through ‘Sustainable Campus’, the steering committee intends to develop a model for energy management, as well as specific green and energy-efficient measures that, in time, could be extended to the entire Aarhus University. Therefore, the Facilities Management Department at AU has granted 500,000 DKK for the project, which, among other things, has been spent on bringing Rambøll Management to the project as an external adviser.
Since the start of 2011, a new action plan has been compiled for the project. The new action plan contains the following focus areas:
1. Energy management
2. Green culture and energy-efficient habits
3. Paper and print
4. Litter
5. Purchasing (travels, food and furniture etc.)
The action plan also contains suggestions as to how the new main academic area can become more involved with ‘Sustainable Campus’. The newly appointed technical manager, and member of the steering committee, Eigil Jensen, plans to extend the project to the entire Business and Social Sciences.
- It is important that we use all the experience we have gained with our work in the focus areas. With our big, new main academic area we have a far bigger building stock, which we can continue to work with. It is common sense to continue making the whole main academic area more sustainable and save energy where it is possible, says Administrative Director Steen Ib Kjeldsen, who is responsible for ‘Sustainable Campus’.
Backing from green ambassadors
As part of the project, a corps of green ambassadors has been established. Consisting of students and employees from the former ASB, the group is backing a more energy efficient and environment friendly educational institution or workplace. One of their main responsibilities is to get all new fellow students and colleagues involved with ‘Sustainable Campus’. The ambassadors have had an opportunity to contribute to the new action plan at a meeting with the steering committee, which was held a few weeks ago. Reductions of travel costs, and greater involvement of students and employees from Business and Social Sciences, were just some of the good ideas that were suggested at this meeting.
If you have any ideas for the project, or want to hear more about the possibilities of becoming a green ambassador, contact Bodil Løck Møller, Project Manager at bomo@asb.dk
For more information
Steen Kjeldsen
Administrative Director
Responsible for ‘Sustainable Campus’
Tel: (+45) 89 48 62 00
Email: stkj@asb.dk
Bodil Løck Møller
Project Manager
Tel: (+45) 89 48 63 86
Email: bomo@asb.dk
