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Aston's Green Team

Green Team Header

Below are some of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Click on each one to find out what Aston is doing in these areas. 
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We aim to keep our campus one of the greenest and most sustainable in the country and have a range of projects to achieve this, including the ISO 14001, ISO 5001 and Eco-campus Platinum environmental and energy management systems. Our efforts have helped place the University 9th in the 2019 People and Planet University Green League.

The development and articulation of Aston University's sustainability strategy gives us the opportunity to communicate clearly our ambition, our objectives, and our priorities; to state what is most important to us, and to indentify our points of distinction.

More information is available on our Sustainability Strategy 2020-2024.

Have you spotted our ‘Kitty the Kestrel’ branding around campus? This is inspired by the kestrels that have nested on the University’s Main Building for over thirty years – first discovered in an abandoned toilet! Hopefully the kestrels keep returning to campus each year. When they do you can watch the chicks hatch on the ‘Kestrel Cam’ each spring. 

Kitty

The University has a Sustainable Transport Action Plan in place to help reduce the amount of carbon emissions being generated through commuting. However you travel to the University whether you walk, cycle, use public transport, car share or drive there is a wide range of initiatives, guidance and information as outlined within the this plan to increase your travel choice and help support you to plan your own personal sustainable travel journey. 

  • The University has an active AstBUG (Bicycle User Group) with details of cycling initiatives here
  • There is a Car Share Database through Faxi that you can find a passenger or driver near you to start car sharing here
  • Staff can use the University BMW i3 for short to medium distance travel during the day - for more information contact environment@aston.ac.uk
  • Staff can apply for an annual travel passes under the Employee Travel Pass Scheme at a discounted price. More details can be found here
  • Birmingham City Council provide a number of Walking and Jogging routes in Birmingham that can be found here . The Birmingham urban walking route planner provides you with a route map between any two points as well as circular and themed walks which include your journey time, calorie burn, step count and carbon saving. It’s quick, free and healthy!
  • Finally, for local bus information you can visit Network West Midlands

Last year the University spent £3.5 million pounds on energy, which emitted around 7,600 tonnes of CO2e into the atmosphere.

We have a target to reduce our carbon emissions by 48% in 2020, compared to what we used in 2005/6. Although we've reduced by 43%, we've still got a way to go and we need help from all staff and students to help us achieve this:

  • Please switch off lights in unoccupied rooms or if it’s sunny outside.
  • Switch off electrical equipment when it’s not needed. Don’t be tempted to leave things in standby mode!
  • Switch your PC off fully (at the plug) when leaving work.
  • Layer up and turn down radiator valves when the heating is on.
  • Get fit and take the stairs instead of taking the lift, especially for short journeys. Stair climbing burns more calories than jogging!
  • If you have air-conditioning running, ensure you close all doors and windows and that it only turns on after 23oC.
  • Don’t be a drip! Ensure you turn off taps fully to reduce wastage.
  • There are water dispensers available across campus (please see map below). Free drinking water is also available from Tierra Food Court in the Main Building.
  • Report all leaks or toilets constantly flushing to the estate helpdesk
  • Any suggestions on how we can save energy? Please get in touch.

Aston Student Villages residential emissions

The University sold all of its residential properties in early 2017. On this basis it does not report on any emissions for residential properties.