Green Gown Awards 2015 – Carbon Reduction - Coventry University - Finalist

Carbon Challenge

The Carbon Challenge is a completely self-funding competition which encourages a healthy rivalry to be the ‘greenest’ between the University’s various campus faculties. It has resulted in huge savings in carbon, increased recycling rates and better space utilisation. There has also been a large increase in the transparency of sustainable initiatives and projects across the University being reported resulting in strengthened links between faculties and the Environment Team.

Over the 6 year period from the beginning of the Carbon Challenge, the scheme has saved in excess of 1,716 tonnes of CO2 and a financial saving in excess of £300,000. The size of the savings made is still significant year on year without any capital expenditure needed on new buildings or technology. 

A network of energy champions in each building administers the management and promotion of the scheme, empowering students and staff to take responsibility for their own actions on the environment.

Top 3 learnings

1 There is always scope for reducing carbon across every corner of the campus

2 Refresh your messages to ensure continued engagement

3 Providing data in a visual and accessible format is important to appeal to everyone.

Videos

• Carbon Challenge (click to hide)