Birkbeck's Carbon Management Plan
Introduction
This document describes Birkbeck Colleges’ detailed Carbon Management Plan. This Plan will be used to assist in the attainment of Birkbeck College overall 2020 carbon emission goals, n.b. It is not expected that this Plan will yet give sufficient reductions in carbon emissions to meet the 2050 targets.
The Operational Estate Manager has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Carbon Management Plan. Relevant training will be provided for all parties to help them achieve these targets. Necessary resources will be approved through the Birkbeck Estates Management committee.
The full Carbon Management Plan is also available to view.
Organisational Structure
| Organisational Structure Targets | Responsible Party | Target date for implementation |
| Responsibility for energy management placed with Estates and Facilities | Operational Estate Manager and Energy Manager | Completed: May 2007 |
| Appointment of Energy and Environment Managers | Director of Estates and Facilities | April 2010 |
| Job description compiled for Energy and Environment Managers | Director of Estates and Facilities | Completed: Jan 2009 |
| Provision of annual recurrent budget for investment in energy efficiency | Operational Estate Manager | August 2010 |
| Regular management meetings to review energy use | Environmental Management Group | Commenced September 2006 and continuing as required thereafter |
| Establishment of ‘Green Teams’ | Environmental Management Group | October 2007 and continuing |
Management Commitment
Birkbeck is committed to the efficient use of energy. Its energy policy targets and dates for achieving those targets are given below:
| Energy Policy Targets | Responsible Party | Target date for completion |
| Carbon Management plan agreed and adopted | Governors | February 2010 |
| Revised Energy Policy adopted by Birkbeck Governors | Governors | February 2010 |
| Policy promulgated to all staff and students | Environmental Management Group | April 2010 |
| Quantitative energy consumption and carbon emission targets adopted | Governors | February 2010 |
| Annual report prepared | Operational Estate Manager | Completed: May 2009 and reported annually thereafter |
| Date for revision of Carbon Management plan | Environmental Management Group |
January 2013, and tri-annually thereafter |
Energy consumption and carbon emission targets
Targets for the reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions are given separately for existing buildings, and for new buildings. Targets for existing buildings are given compared to carbon emission in financial year (FY) 2006/07. Actual electricity consumptions will be used to calculate compliance with targets, but gas consumptions will be corrected for the influence of year-to-year variations in weather conditions using the degree-day methodology. Degree-day corrected gas consumptions will be used in the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions.
| Energy consumption and carbon emission targets | Responsible Party | Target date for implementation |
| Achieve a reduction of least 15% in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (compared to 2006) by 2012 | Environmental Management Group | FY 2012 |
| Achieve a reduction of at least 50% in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (compared to 2006) by 2020 | Environmental Management Group | FY 2020 |
| Achieve carbon neutrality (after allowance for permitted carbon trading and offsetting) by FY 2050 | Environmental Management Group | FY 2049/50 |
| Ensure that designs for new non-residential buildings or major refurbishments are assessed using the Higher Education BREEAM Environmental Assessment methodology. Only proposed designs rated as ‘very good’, or better will be accepted | Director of Estates and Facilities | From August 2010 |
| Ensure that designs for new residential buildings or major refurbishments are assessed using the Code for Sustainable Homes. Proposed designs must have carbon emissions giving at least level 3 compliance until 2012, at least level 4 from 2013, and level 6 by 2016 | Director of Estates and Facilities | From August 2010 |
| Year-on-year comparisons will be made to ensure that progress is being made towards 2012 and 2020 targets | Operational Estate Manager, Energy Manager and School Managers | October 2010 and annually thereafter |
Travel
Birkbeck has recognised the importance of Green travel planning and a green travel co-ordinator was appointed in 2005. Measures to identify and control carbon emissions from transport are given below:
| Procedures for Monitoring and Analysing Travel | Responsible Party | Target date for implementation |
| Appoint Green Transport Co-ordinator | Governors | Completed: 2005 |
| Actively promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport for staff, students and visitors travelling to Birkbeck | Green Transport Coordinator | Completed: 2005 and continuing |
| Incorporate green travel information including rail, tube, bus, cycle and pedestrian routes into the prospectuses and brochures issued to staff, students and visitors | Green Transport Coordinator | Completed: 2005 |
| Progressively reduce provision of car parking spaces | Facilities Manager | Continuing |
| Survey staff and student travel to Birkbeck, and on Birkbeck business to determine annual carbon emissions | Green Transport Coordinator | From July 2010 |
| Ensure that travel surveys are undertaken on a tri-annual basis | Green Transport Coordinator | From July 2010 |
| Calculate CO2 emissions from travel tri-annually, and compare with datum values | Energy and/or Environment Manager | From July 2010 |
Energy information systems
The procedures for monitoring and analysing energy consumption are described below:
| Procedures for Monitoring and Analysing Energy Use | Responsible Party | Target date for implementation |
| Regular collection of monthly energy consumption data from site meters | Operational Estate Manager | From present |
| Ensure that energy data from meter readings is compared with utility bills | Operational Estate Manager and Energy Manager | From present |
| Identify buildings where additional metering is required to enable comparisons with targets to be made | Operational Estate Manager and Energy Manager | July 2010 |
| Analysis of monthly and annual gas consumption against degree days | Energy Manager | August 2010 |
| Analysis of daily and weekly electricity consumption patterns using half-hourly data | Energy Manager | August 2010 |
| Ensure that energy surveys are undertaken on a tri-annual basis | Energy Manager | Surveys of all premises in summer 2006. To be re-surveyed in 2010. |
| Calculate CO2 emissions annually, and compare with datum values | Energy Manager | From December 2006: continuing |
Staff Involvement
The measures required to maximise the energy savings available from good housekeeping through the involvement of staff and students are detailed below:
| Involvement and Training of Staff and Students | Responsible Party | Target date for implementation |
| Identify specific training requirements for staff key to reducing energy use. (Maintenance, boiler-house, security, building managers etc) | Operational Estate Manager | August 2010 |
| Ensure that new contracts for maintenance providers include requirements to identify and reduce energy waste | Operational Estate Manager | August 2010 |
| Identify training requirements for wider staff involvement | Environmental Management Group | August 2010 |
| Prepare and present material for bi-annual energy awareness campaigns, for ‘key’ staff and wider Birkbeck Community | Environmental Management Group | September 2010 |
| Ensure that energy awareness training is included in new Estates staff induction | Operational Estate Manager | August 2010 |
| Set up reporting systems for energy waste and suggestions e.g. lights on, water leaks, doors and windows left open etc | Energy Manager | August 2010 |
| Ensure that all students receive a guidance note on appropriate ‘good housekeeping’ measures and information on Birkbeck College carbon management plan and its targets | Environmental Management Group and School Managers | December 2009 |
Procurement and Investment
Birkbeck College procurement and investment policies and procedures must provide active support for reducing carbon emissions.