Go Green

UMSU is dedicated to campaigning against climate change by making the Union more green, by lobbying the University to become more sustainable, by helping students and staff to cut their carbon footprint, and by getting involved in national and international environmental campaigns.

Learn how to get involved...

Achievements

  • We have passed a policy stating that as soon as possible we should cease all relationship with the Royal Bank of Scotland because it invests in companies that are environmentally damaging, and exacerbate climate change.
  • We have started Meat Free Mondays, where the Union cafe and bar serves vegetarian and vegan food, apart from one meat option. This is because Livestock production is responsible for around 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • We are signed up to a Going Green policy which calls for the Union to improve it's sustainability performance, lobby the University to do the same and to run a comprehensive campaign against climate change.

You can read the full 'Going Green' policy here: Going Green policy

Since the motion was passed in April 2008 the Union has lobbied the University to become more sustainable. The University now has a target to reduce the University's absolute carbon footprint by at least 40% by 2020 from a 2009 baseline of 85, 419 tonnes of CO2.

 

  

The Union itself is also becoming more environmentally friendly by introducing rainwater harvesting for the toilets in the Academy, a ground source heat pump to heat the dressing rooms in the Academy, solar panels to heat hot water in the Student's Union, and LED lighting and movement receptors in the toilets, shop and main hall.

Furthermore, the Union has joined national and international campaigns and taken students to the Wave, the Swoop and Copenhagen.

Learn more about UMSU's commitment to best environmental practise by reading our Environmental Policy document and Aspects and Impacts statement.

 

Get involved

Main Union Campaigns

This year we will be surveying students to see what their single biggest CO2 producing habit is and we will be running a campaign to try and get students to change this one behaviour.

We will also be lobbying the University to divest from companies that cause environmental degradation. If you are interested in either of these campaigns then please email campaigns@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

 

Student Sustainability Forum

You could also come to the Student Sustainability Forum (SSF). The SSF exists as a forum for all staff and students to express their ideas and concerns regarding environmental issues on campus. It acts as an intermediary body between students and the complex University management structure, with some of its members sitting on University boards. If you want better recycling in halls, or better bike parking facilities, or have any ideas at all - then feel free to bring them to the Forum.

Join the SSF  group.

 

Carbon Ambassadors

Would you like to gain FREE training in energy-efficiency practices? Do you want to do more to help fight climate change? Would you share your eco-skills with groups in your local community?

Teach yourself to be a carbon ambassador by working your way through this set by set guide to assessing a rooms energy usage (This is a 72-page PowerPoint presentation - 3.9Mb)

The University of Manchester Students' Union is taking part in this exciting volunteering opportunity giving you the chance to receive FREE energy-efficiency training. You will then be deployed in small teams into your local community to venues such as churches, small businesses and community centres to pass on your eco-skills to help others reduce their carbon emissions!

If you are interested email me at campaigns@umsu.manchester.ac.uk.

 

Green Impact

The University of Manchester is currently looking for students to become Green Impact auditors. Green Impact is one of three projects within a 2 year programme called Degrees Cooler - 'Greening universities and beyond through behaviour change'.

Green Impact is targeted at staff and empowers individuals and departments to reduce their environmental impact by encouraging, rewarding and celebrating practical environmental improvements. Green Impact challenges departments to implement a number of easy practical actions that will help the environment.

The four main aims are to encourage staff to:

  • recycle more
  • use less energy
  • eat more sustainable local food
  • reduce non-essential flying

The University of Manchester currently has 13 teams taking part in Green Impact. Each team has been given a workbook which has been tailored to the University of Manchester. The workbook has 134 criteria relating to waste, travel, electricity, heating, and procurement.

Auditors will be trained to assess departments involved in the scheme, based on the criteria set in the workbook. Once trained, auditors will be expected to carry out at least one audit before the end of the academic year. Audits should take between one and two hours and will be carried out in pairs. Certificates and supporting letters will be provided for those who participate in the auditing training and conduct audits.

If you are interested in becoming an auditor, or for more information, please contact Charlotte McHugh: charlotte.mchugh_at_manchester.ac.uk (0161 275 0343)

 

goCarShare

goCarShare aims to turn Manchester into the first University city in the UK where car sharing reaches a critical mass, meaning that students can travel easily, cheaply and greenly with each other by sharing car journeys. The website matches students through Facebook, as a result there is no need to register and users can see if they share friends, like similar bands and even check the ratings of other users to ensure that they are reliable.

The idea revolves around getting student car owners into the mentality that their empty car seats are worth cash and that they can ‘sell their seats on goCarShare’. Potential passengers can save a considerable amount of money using the service – typical prices are £15 to London, £4 to Leeds and £11 to Newcastle. It’s a green way to travel with average carbon emission travelling in a full car being comparative to taking the train.*

You can arrange to share car journeys at: www.gocarshare.com/uom

* Train average car occupancy - 96 grams per CO2 mile, car four people  - 86 grams per CO2 mile. Defra July 2007 Report Passenger Transport Emissions Factors

 

Snap it Off

Snap it Off is a campaign created by NUS in response to students' concerns about energy wastage through unnecessary lighting. To raise awareness simply take a photo of the lighting culprit and upload it to the Snap it Off website here.

 

Student Action

 

Get involved with one of student actions greener projects such as the bike project or allotment scheme. For more info please see Student Action.

If you are interested email action@umsu.manchester.ac.uk.

 

Cycle Tips

Cycling is a great and green way to get to Uni and around Manchester. But to avoid theft or damage to your bike you'll need to keep it secure. You'll find some handy tips on how to keep your bike safe here.

 

Green Tips

Also look out for the green tips in the Union's newspaper. If you want to write any drop an email to campaigns@umsu.manchester.ac.uk. Plus check out how to 'Green Your Lifestyle'