Cardiff Metropolitan University

Located in an exciting, modern European capital city. Cardiff Metropolitan University takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, aiming to manage its operations in ways that are environmentally sustainable, economically feasible and socially responsible, contributing to the environmental good of the city. Engaging in development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Environmental Management System

The University is committed to achieving the highest standards of environmental performance, preventing pollution and minimising the impact of its operations and to this end has created and implemented an Environmental Management System that meets the requirements of ISO14001:2004, with publication of an annual report on the Sustainability and the Environment and Environment and Sustainability Policy.

The EMS covers all University activities from energy and utilities, to waste management and recycling, but more significantly includes embedding education for sustainable development in the curriculum and into research and enterprise activities.

What’s next - waiting on the revision of the standard, to further improve the EMS.

Waste and Recycling

The University has achieved a major increase in recycling since waste monitoring started in 2007. Waste reduction targets and targets for increasing the ratio of recycling were set to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented actions and to review overall performance.

When furniture and equipment cannot be internally reused through the “re-use” site, these are donated or sold for re-use to other institutions, charities, companies and individuals wherever possible. These items would otherwise have been sent to landfill. The closure of the Howard Gardens site resulted in a large amount of re-use of equipment as opposed to scrapping it.

The introduction of food waste recycling has also helped to reduce waste to landfill.

From August 2014 all general waste has been “diverted” to the Trident Facility where it has been incinerated for energy conversion. This means that no waste from Cardiff Met is currently being sent to landfill.

The University was been working closely with suppliers such as IT equipment suppliers on packaging waste minimisation. Examples include replacing polystyrene packaging with cardboard and where purchases of larger quantities of PC’s are made, deliveries are made with machines on pallets with the minimum necessary separator packaging as opposed to each PC being in its own box.

The University has discussed with sandwich and other food suppliers the reduction of packaging and the adoption of recyclable and bio-degradable packaging.

The University has recently let a framework agreement for office furniture on behalf of all the Welsh universities. The preferred supplier supplies all furniture ready assembled, covered with soft blankets for protection during delivery and installation – there is no packaging material used.

What’s next - Recycling continues to be a priority, with few quick wins left available. More emphasis on information bulletins and awareness campaigns.

Energy and Utilities

The University’s Carbon Management Strategy 2013-18 contains targets for reducing consumption, including commitments to develop processes and implement improvements in the following areas:

• Strategy & Procedures: Development and implementation of a Carbon Management Plan to deliver the aims of the strategy; transparent reporting; life cycle cost principles.

• Built Environment: Meter, monitoring, reporting and targeting consumption; behavioural change; minimising heat loss; improve energy efficiency.

• Procurement: Review utilities contracts; work with suppliers to understand and seek to influence Scope 3 emissions.

The energy management strategy for 2013-18, details the comprehensive network of metering and monitoring technology installed across the University estate during the first phase Carbon Management Strategy, and Cardiff Met’s commitment to maintaining this network for the duration of the new Strategy. All University buildings greater that 1000m2 are sub-metered for electricity, gas and water consumption, allowing identification of energy use within these buildings.

Recently received a grant for the purchase of LED Lighting to replace existing inefficient light fittings.

What’s next - Implementation of projects, continuing to engage with staff and strengthening engagement with students will be fundamental in realising the most efficient management of energy and emissions across the residential and non-residential estate.

Travel and Transport

The University has a well-established University Travel Plan providing a comprehensive framework to continually review and improve the University’s travel practices.

Since 2007, Cardiff Met has achieved a significant 12.2% reduction in the number of student car users and a 24% reduction in the number of staff driving to work. The University’s successful travel initiatives have created a growth in passengers on its dedicated Met Rider bus service, along with substantial investment in cycling shelters and shower facilities with lockers. The promotion of Car share, reducing staff single occupancy car usage down from 74.2% in 2009 to 58.3% in 2013; promotion of walking to work has increased from 5.8% in 2009 to 14% in 2013.

Cardiff Met has the largest work based Bike User Group in Wales with in excess of 300 members of staff regularly cycling to work. Walk to work free breakfasts available 4 weeks a year. Promotion of safe walking and cycle routes to and from the campuses.

Staff are able to take advantage of a Cycle purchase scheme.

In conjunction with Go Green Week and Health and Well-being initiatives, the partnership with Sustrans Wales 'Healthy Hospitals and Universities Project' and Cycle Training Wales, recent events include:

• Dr Bike - M block bike shelter for free bike checks, adjustments and minor repairs delivered by qualified mechanics from Cycle Training Wales.
• Cycle Training Wales Free Bicycle Maintenance Demonstration
• Sustrans Smoothie Bike and Information stand.

What’s next - Explore the inclusion of a Met Rider bus pass within a Halls of Residence package; develop options to introduce a cycle hire scheme on each Campus; develop strategies to reduce the University’s direct and indirect business travel footprint; continue to explore new travel options with local train companies and bus operators to assist student and staff use of public travel.

Environmental Awareness and Communication

The University recognises environmental awareness as a key aspect in its Environmental Management System, particularly in respect of the large number and annual migration of students, staff, visitors or contractors on site, presenting a challenging mixture of backgrounds, cultures and interests. Some recent environmental awareness examples are:

• A case study on Sustainable Development has been written in partnership with Cynnal Cymru;
• Travel news is effectively communicated through the University Plasma screens around the campuses; 
• Staff training sessions have been completed led by Cynnal Cymru;
• An e-learning sustainability module has been issued to enhance staff awareness and to support the training of managers and new recruits on environmental concerns, arrangements, contacts and procedures;
• Successful energy performance competitions have been taking place at Plas Gwyn Resident Halls (where the buildings are very similar in structure and facilities) and students of the best performing building are rewarded;
• Co-operation and best practice sharing with other higher educational institutions;
• Cardiff School of Management,  studying for a degree in Event Design and Project Management, participated in two projects, the first in conjunction with the Students Union, successfully organising Go Green Week; also a Foodbank dinner – the challenge of creating an event while Michelin-starred chef Stephen Terry from the Hardwick Restaurant in Abergavenny devised an inventive menu using only items from the Foodbank shopping list, which includes long-life packet or tinned goods that make up the emergency food parcels for Foodbank clients. The guests included local dignitaries, local members, Cardiff Foodbank Trustees and supporters of the Cardiff Foodbank Charity.
• A Forest School initiative at Cyncoed Campus continues to encourage and inspire local primary school students through positive outdoor experiences with the permanent wooden building Outdoor Learning Centre opening this year.

What’s next - The University internal site is further utilised to gather feedback on the University’s environmental performance through awareness raising and satisfaction surveys (e.g. Did you know? Or Have your say); the content of the e-learning module is currently being reviewed with numbers of completion to be reported with the opportunity to be considered of follow up surveys after 3 – 6 months in new role; review of sustainability website and continue to raise awareness of Environmental and Sustainability issues amongst staff, students, stakeholders and local community.

Academic Support

Between 2012 and 2014 a range of teaching interventions, associated case studies and support resources have been developed to demonstrate how sustainability is being and could be taught across the University. The case studies are from a range of different discipline areas and discuss ideas around the topics studied, teaching methods used and assessments carried out.

What’s next - Continue with Sustainable Campus Exchange, to develop an institution wide community of practice focused on the field of sustainability. Key to achieving this is the involvement of a broad range of potential stakeholders, including members of the wider community including other education institutions, local authority and other local organisations and individuals with an interest in progressing inclusive sustainability practices in the locality.

Awards and Recognition

Gold award for Corporate Health Standard and Investors in People (IIP)

People and Planet Green League 2015 - Cardiff Metropolitan was ranked 19th place out of 151 marked submissions with a total score of 65.5% and logged in the First Class quartile (Numbers 1 – 30).

Gold Level Welsh Travel Plan Award 2012

The University is ranked as the top “new” university in Wales by the major university guides – The Guardian University Guide 2013, The Independent Complete University Guide 2013 and The Times Good University Guide 2013.

Main Contact Name: Rachel Roberts, Environmental Performance Manager
Main Contact Email & Telephone: rroberts@cardiffmet.ac.uk 02920 205843
Further information/website: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk
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