Environmental Statement
BackEmmanuel College acts responsibly with respect to the environmental impact of its activities.
- The College seeks to emphasise environmental sustainability in its management of facilities and in its planning for future activities
- The College fully complies with environmental legislation and is committed to finding further ways to mitigate the impact of its operations and behaviour on the natural environment
To this end, subject to financial constraints, Emmanuel College outlines the following policies and practices to further improve its environmental performance:
Management Policy
- To promote sound environmental management policies and practices in all areas of its activities, the College will:
- research techniques to achieve enhanced energy efficiency, water use efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling;
- consider environmental sustainability in the context of the College’s purchasing decisions, including total supply chain and whole life costing techniques where appropriate; and
- consider the long–term sustainability of endowment investments.
While few of the College’s buildings are modern, and many have listed status, opportunities will be taken, consistent with the College’s conservation duties, to significantly improve energy performance as buildings are refurbished.
Opportunities to employ green technology will be explored on each occasion. The achievement of high levels of energy efficiency, water management and sustainability will be emphasised in all new build projects.
Energy, Water and other Utilities Consumption
- To minimise consumption of utilities, the College will strive to:
- reduce its carbon footprint by consuming less energy and, as opportunities arise, converting to more environmentally–friendly sources of energy; and
- reduce per capita consumption of water.
These objectives will be met both by the College updating buildings and facilities, and through changes in the behaviour and practices of residents, and those using college facilities.
Waste and Recycling
- To minimise waste production and maximise recycling, the College and ECSU will encourage sustainable purchasing and disposal by students, Fellows, staff and guests through:
- promoting recycling, aided by minimising and responsibly disposing of non–recyclable waste (e.g. under the WEEE regulations); and
- operating a dry mixed recycling system for card, paper, plastic and glass.
Recycling depends both on appropriate facilities being made available (for example, collection points and segregated bins) and on the behaviour of residents and others using college facilities.
For rooms on the main site, a recycling bin for paper, cardboard, glass, tins and plastic bottles is provided in each room, which are every other day collected by the bedmaker. All students are also entitled to a cotton shopping bag to reduce the use of plastic bags.
Awareness
Emmanuel College Student Union will strive to increase awareness of environmental responsibilities among Fellows, students, staff, and guests. As residents and users of college facilities, their behaviour has a critical impact on the environmental performance of the College. ECSU will also promote sustainability in consumption, since the habits and consumption patterns adopted by students will have an environmental impact throughout their lifetime. ECSU will provide material and run campaigns to raise awareness and promote sustainable behaviour, and the College will provide appropriate financial support for these activities.