Green Gown Awards 2016 – Sustainability Professional Award – Martin Howes – Finalist

Martin Howes, Energy Co-ordinator - University of Cambridge

When it comes to anything energy or environment related at the Department of Plant Sciences, Martin is the person to contact. Plant Sciences is a research-heavy and energy intensive department, housed in a building over one-hundred years old. Together these factors pose a real challenge when trying to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

Martin leads efforts to tackle these with openness and enthusiasm. The many energy-related projects running at the department span a broad range of applications; from innovative plant growth LED projects (Highly Commended at Green Gown Awards 2015), to building services optimisation, to a ‘Green Reps network’ that spreads advice and information through research groups.

Thanks to Martin’s endeavour, the Department of Plant Sciences has developed into an exemplar of how to approach reducing environmental impact in a scientific department.

Top 3 learnings

1 To maximise your impact, the sooner as many people as possible know who you are and why you’re there, the better

2 Make the most of opportunities when they arise, wherever they come from. A good awareness of how your institution works is vital for this.

3 Flexibility is important, but don’t lose sight of your overall aims.

CO2t Savings: 4000 tonnes 
Actual/Estimated: Estimated
No. of yrs: 10