SORTED Guide to Sustainability in Further Education – Part 5 - Estates and Operations – 5.2 Estates and Operations: energy and water

5.2 Estates and Operations: energy and water image #1 5.2 Estates and Operations: energy and water image #2

Introduction to the topic area

Reducing energy and water consumption is a key area of focus to running efficient buildings. Using the energy efficiency hierarchy, low cost opportunities to reduce unnecessary consumption should be made before investing in more efficient equipment, with renewable energy a consideration once these are in place. It may be however, that opportunities for more efficient equipment and to install renewable energy may come through refurbishment work, new build, or new training development possibilities.

Organisational value of embedding sustainability in this area

Buildings accessed by the public over 250m2 must display a Display Energy Certificate. These are produced using energy data for each building.

Organisations that use more than 6,000MWh electricity per year and have at least one half-hourly meter settled on the half-hourly electricity market must also adhere to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, a mandatory carbon emissions reporting and pricing scheme.

Wider benefits of embedding sustainability in this area

Reducing energy consumption contributes to national and international carbon reduction targets. In the UK, the Climate Change Act established a target to reduce the UK emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. Ensuring greater resilience of energy and water supply.

Getting started

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