Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon (CM Plan) 2015 - 2020 · 2017-09-18 · Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon (CM...
Transcript of Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon (CM Plan) 2015 - 2020 · 2017-09-18 · Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon (CM...
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon (CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Created by: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Prepared by: Dòmhnall A. MacLennan
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
Contents
1 Executive Summary 3
2 Foreword from Resource Efficient Scotland 5
3 Introduction 6
3.1 Performance on Carbon Management 7
4. Carbon Management Strategy 10
4.1 Climate change 10
4.2 Resources 11
4.3 Legislative drivers for carbon management 11
4.4 Energy 12
4.5 Travel/Transport 13
4.6 Waste 13
4.7 Water 13
5 Emissions Baseline and Projections 10
5.1 Emissions sources 10
5.2 Organisational boundary 15
6 Carbon Management Projects 14
6.1 Areas for future investigation 18
7 Governance for Implementation 19
7.1 Embedding Carbon Management 19
7.2 Data Management - measuring the difference, measuring the benefit 20
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
3
1 Executive Summary
In the previous Carbon Management Plan (CM Plan) published in 2011, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
stated its aspiration to achieve a reduction target of 20%, based on the 2009 carbon
footprint baseline, by 2014. A number of factors conspired to make this a challenging
target including: the difficulties encountered in 2013-15 in maintaining the reliable
operation of the 500kW biomass boiler at Àrainn Chaluim Chille, the complexity of the
carbon management process; and the construction in 2013-15 of the College’s newest
building Ionad Iain Nobail which has added 15% to the College estate in terms of internal
floor area.
The problems around the College’s biomass boiler were particularly detrimental to the
targets of the 2011 Plan. The College’s emissions from burning LPG to provide heat and hot
water to our principal buildings accounted for 35% of our total carbon emissions in the
initial baseline year calculation of 2009. The continued operation of our 500kW biomass
boiler was therefore a crucial means through which to offset the burning of LPG and reach
the carbon targets of the Plan. However, the biomass plant developed a series of reliability
problems in late 2013 which ultimately required a major overhaul and it being taken off
supply for almost 12 months. This was compounded by the serious difficulties the College
had in finding an accredited biomass engineering firm with the requisite experience and
expertise to successfully undertake the repairs. The situation was finally resolved in summer
2015 following a significant investment of £35k by the College to restore the boiler to
reliable service and which has been performing very well in the time since and again form a
crucial part of the aspirations of his latest CM Plan for 2015-20.
These factors combined to suggest that a review and revision of the original Carbon
Management Plan, including reduction targets, would help the College to move forward
constructively.
This Carbon Management Plan (CM Plan) sets out our ambitions for the 5-year period to the
end of the 2020/21 financial year. Reducing carbon emissions is not just about our
commitment to the environment. The same processes we use to identify carbon emissions
reduction will also identify and realise financial savings through improved efficiency in the
procurement and operation of our buildings and transport. The actions outlined within this
Plan form part of our efficiency plan to reduce consumption and provide value for money.
The 2015/16 carbon footprint was calculated to be 471 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
(tCO2e) and covered electricity, LPG consumption, staff travel, water and wastewater
consumption, and waste disposal to landfill.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has therefore decided to set a target to reduce its total annual carbon
footprint by 94 tCO2e by the end of financial year 2020; this continues the aspiration of a
20% reduction but based upon the 2015/16 footprint and to be delivered by 2020.
By 2020, Sabhal MòR Ostaig will have reduced its carbon emissions by 20% on a
baseline of 2015. This equates to an annual savings figure of 94 tonnes CO2e in
2020.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
4
The following tables detail the College’s 2015/16 baseline carbon footprint and related
expenditure:
Split by Emission Scope
2015/16
Carbon Footprint
(tCO2e)
Scope 1 (fuel combustion – LPG) 200
Scope 2 (grid electricity) 219
Scope 3 (waste, water, staff travel) 53
Total 471
Split by Source
2015/16
Carbon Footprint
(tCO2e)
Cost (£)
Stationary (Electricity & LPG to College buildings) 437 £146,184
Water 4 £ 4,099
Waste 13 £ 4,560
Transport 17 £ 8,468
Total 471 £163,311
Reductions will be achieved through a range of projects including the completion in 2016 of
the reliability repairs and overhaul of the College’s 500kW biomass boiler, the installation of
separate electricity meters and monitoring equipment to the 4 buildings at Àrainn Chaluim
Chille and Fàs; and separate initiatives to encourage reductions throughout the College in
the amount of waste to landfill and in staff travel. The College has already committed
capital funding of £15k from its estates budget towards the first two projects listed, and
with the other initiatives anticipated to be cost neutral and leading to significant cost
savings for the College.
If all identifiable carbon saving projects were to be implemented, the potential cumulative
financial savings (avoided costs) to the College are in the region of £62,500 over the
period 2015/16 to 2020.
This Carbon Management Plan is viewed as a ‘live’ document and it is envisaged that there
may be changes on an annual basis as the College’s estate changes and planning
assumptions become a reality. To ensure that it remains ‘fit for purpose’ to deliver targeted
carbon savings, this document will be reviewed on an annual basis. This process will be
overseen by the Finance & Estates Committee and coordinated by the Head of Estates and
Services.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
5
Bench-marking with other colleges
In February 2015, the University of the Highlands and Islands circulated the findings from
its annual Estates Statistical Return from all its partner colleges and with the recorded
carbon emissions for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and selected other partner colleges summarised as
follows
Carbon
Footprint (tCO2e)
Perth College 1,739
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) 1,522
Moray College 1,489
Lews Castle College 578
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig 530
West Highland College 467
Orkney College 271
Executive Office UHI 179
2 Foreword from Resource Efficient Scotland
Resource Efficient Scotland are pleased that Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has committed to improving
their resource efficiency throughout their operations demonstrated in this Carbon
Management Plan. There is an opportunity to save energy, water and money, increase
recycling and use fewer resources. Resource Efficient Scotland will be able to provide
assistance to implement and deliver on these improved resource efficiency measures
through technical support and guidance.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
6
3 Introduction
General
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig began its Carbon Management Programme in 2011. A review undertaken
indicates that the following were reasonably well established: the original carbon footprint;
the process for managing carbon emissions, and project list to achieve carbon savings.
However, the review also acknowledged that strengthening of progress tracking and further
project opportunity development would support ongoing efforts.
The College therefore recognises that it has reached a point in its carbon management
maturity where the decisions it makes in this current plan period with respect to future
funding of carbon management reduction measures will have a significant impact on the
organisation’s ability to meet its stated reduction targets.
Mission
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is committed to being a centre of excellence for the development and
enhancement of the Gaelic language, culture and heritage, by providing quality educational,
training and research opportunities through the medium of Scottish Gaelic; and by
interacting innovatively with individuals, communities and businesses, to contributing to
social, cultural and economic development.
In delivering its Mission, the work and priorities for the college are focused on the following
key strategic goals:
Lead, as the National Centre of Gaelic Language and Culture in order to enhance and
develop the rate of Gaelic language acquisition, in support of the National Plan for
Gaelic;
Create a national centre of research excellence and lead in terms of knowledge
transfer for the maintenance and revitalisation of the Gaelic language and culture;
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
7
Make a transformational contribution to the economic, environmental and social
development of the local area;
Be the National Centre of Excellence for the development and enhancement of
enhancement of Gaelic language, culture, heritage and the arts.
In all areas of its work, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig strives to minimise the effect of its operations on
the environment and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. This will be
demonstrated in a later Section of this Plan by the existence of a number of key
environmental initiatives having been implemented by the college over recent years, and in
its engagement with both national and local bodies to contribute towards the Scottish
Government’s climate change objectives to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 as set
out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.by 2015
3.1 Performance on Carbon Management
The College’s target reduction of 20% in its carbon footprint by 2020 will be achieved in the
main through carbon savings in the space heating and hot water requirements of our
college buildings which in total accounted for 93% of our carbon footprint in 2015/16. This
is primarily explained by the heating and hot water to the older part of the college estate
(2,294m² including 38 en-suite student bedrooms and showers) being provided entirely by
electric storage heaters and immersers. As such, a staff awareness initiative coupled with
an energy audit of these older buildings in particular will be a priority of this Plan as part of
the drive to reduce our electricity consumption and associated carbon emissions. Separate
electricity consumption metering will also be introduced to the four buildings at Àrainn
Chaluim Chille and Fàs, and target reductions in electricity consumption for each of our
buildings will also be communicated to all staff and students.
Given the college’s rural location, staff
travel and the predominance of journeys
made in private vehicles is also a
contributing factor to our 2015/16
baseline carbon emissions as well as a
significant recurring cost. As such, SMO’s
policy on reimbursing staff travel
expenses has recently been reviewed
with a focus on establishing more
effective travel plans and fuel
management, and it is anticipated that
this work will contribute further to our
target 20% reduction by 2020.
Àrainn Ostaig
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
8
Biomass woodchip boilers
In 2008, the college installed its first 500kW woodchip biomass boiler providing heating and
hot water to its four Àrainn Chaluim Chille and Fàs buildings and secured the necessary
project funding of £565,000. This continuing operation helps sustain up to four local jobs
with the college purchasing its locally sourced woodchip through the operation of Sleat
Community Trust and their management of the nearby Tormore forest.
Ionad Iain Nobail, officially opened in October 2015
The College extended its use of biomass heating boilers in 2015 with the completion of its
newest building, Ionad Iain Nobail. With an internal floor area of 1,100m², the new building
provides additional student teaching facilities together with staff offices and new business
premises. In addition to the 99kW biomass heating plant, the new building also benefits
from minimal energy costs in the form of photovoltaic panels on the roof and the award of a
BREEAM Excellent environmental rating for its construction and design credentials.
A review of the college’s refuse collection contract
The college currently operates a refuse collection contract with Highland Council including
the provision of blue bin recycling facilities for paper and cardboard. The current contract
alternates between a weekly blue bin and landfill collection and, although our waste
operations only comprise 3% of the total 2015/16 baseline CO2 emissions, the College in
working to deliver the targets of this Carbon Management Plan will recommend that all
college refuse should be closely measured and monitored so that charges will be based on
the amount of refuse produced (with staff and students being encouraged to minimise both
general and re-cycling refuse) and not as at present on numbers of bins, their volume and
frequency of collection. It is anticipated that the college could potentially realise significant
financial savings through this shift in emphasis.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
9
The Fàs Centre for Creative & Cultural Industries
Procurement
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a member of the national co-ordinating body Advanced Procurement
for Universities and Colleges (APUC) and has recently produced an updated Procurement
Policy in response to changing legislation. This includes the following environmental
considerations:
Compliance with environmental legislation such as import restrictions, restrictions
on the use of certain materials, labelling requirements on services;
Specific environmental objectives and targets such as energy efficiency of new
buildings and equipment;
Ensuring that the technical capability to meet environmental impact minimisation
aspects within projects is demonstrated;
Examining the whole procurement chain to ensure that environmental legislation
is observed throughout and that environmental issues are not being “exported”
to other countries;
Ensuring that services are procured or manufactured from renewable resources
or from recycled materials;
Ensuring that services with reduced packaging, lower use of consumables during
their operating life or reduced ‘end of life’ disposal problems are procured.
Àrainn Chaluim Chille
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
10
4 Carbon Management Strategy
Context and Drivers for Carbon Management
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig faces a complex set of drivers which set the context for carbon
management. Crucially, the organisation recognises that these cannot and should not be
viewed in isolation from each other or the principle goal of continuously minimising its
environmental impact whilst maximising its contribution to society and the economy.
Ultimately, a strong performance with respect to carbon emission reduction should deliver
financial benefits to the College by mitigating, for example, the risks associated with
increases in energy tariffs and levies.
The following represent the key carbon drivers for the College:
Scottish Government targets
UK & European targets
Climate of reducing financial allocations
Rising energy costs
Principle that investments in carbon reduction are generally associated with
commensurate reductions in future expenditure
The need to eliminate waste of resources and to increase efficiency
The organisation’s own carbon management targets
Depletion of the world’s finite resources
It’s the right thing to do
4.1 Climate change
Man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions, also referred to as
carbon emissions, are believed by the UK government and the majority of the scientific
community to be a major cause of the increase in average global temperatures since the
Industrial Revolution. Although some scepticism remains the evidence is very strong and
the Precautionary Principle has persuaded successive governments to commit to reducing
emissions.
Scotland’s net emissions of carbon dioxide in 2005 were over 54 million tonnes,
approximately 0.2% of the World’s carbon dioxide emissions. Scotland has 0.08% of the
world’s population and therefore proportionately produces higher carbon emissions per
capita.
The Scottish Government has sought to address this in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act
2009, setting out a mandatory target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
In the Climate Change Act (2008), the UK Government also committed to similar carbon
reduction targets. Significant carbon savings will be required across all sectors in the UK
including from Higher Education Institutions.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
11
4.2 Resources
With material scarcity and energy security becoming increasingly important priorities, a
circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy of make, use and dispose.
In a circular economy we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the
maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and
materials at the end of each service life. This model however is not simple to achieve - it
requires product life-cycle thinking across supply chains, production processes and
consumers. But by turning the challenges identified into opportunities and then actions, a
circular economy can be developed that delivers significant cost and environmental savings.
The most significant circular economic outcomes in each Product Loop involve:
• Keeping products in use for longer (through design for longer life, redeployment,
reconditioning etc);
• Ensuring that unwanted products are returned to the economy for re-use; and
• Developing opportunities for closed-loop recycling of materials for high value
applications.
4.3 Legislative drivers for carbon management
Over the past 20 years there have been many pieces of legislation enacted at an increasing
rate in the UK and Scottish Parliaments which aim to address the issue of climate change,
carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainability. Many of these stem from
European Union Directives which in turn were developed in order to meet the obligations of
the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in December 1997 and enforced in 2005. Under Kyoto,
ratifying countries agreed to commit to reductions in their carbon emissions by, on average,
5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-12.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
12
The Agreement was supported in the UK by the findings of the Stern Review1 on the
Economics of Climate Change, published in October 2006, which provides compelling
economic reasons to address climate change.
The UK share of the collective Kyoto target assumed by the European Union under the
Protocol is a 12.5% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2012. Subsequently the
UK Climate Change Programme (launched in 2000) set a target of 20% reduction by 2010
and 60% reduction by 2050. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 pledges to reduce
Scotland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 42% by the year 2020 and by 80% by the
year 2050. Scottish Ministers are also committed to the promotion of renewable energy in
Scotland. They set a target that 80% of the electricity generated in Scotland (as a
proportion of gross consumption) should come from renewable sources by 2020, with an
interim target of 31% by 2011.
The UK Government has placed an emphasis on the public sector setting a leading example.
Public sector leadership will be critical to the achievement of the Government’s climate
change objectives.
In addition to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), a number of legislative
instruments such as the Climate Change Levy (CCL) and Carbon Reduction Commitment –
Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC EES) have been introduced by the UK Government,
designed to encourage organisations to reduce emissions. The CRC EES introduces carbon
trading to energy intensive organisations not part of the EU ETS. The EU Energy
Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was transposed into Scottish law in 2008 and has
placed an obligation to evaluate energy usage for inclusion in Energy Performance
Certificates to be displayed in all public buildings meeting certain criteria. The 2010 recast
Directive also includes provisions include nearly zero energy requirements for new public
buildings within 8 years or less while Scottish and UK Sustainable Construction strategies
aim for zero energy buildings in the same time-frame. This, allied to recent changes in
Buildings Regulations, will require the organisation to be proactive in terms of building
design, construction and use.
In addition, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a member of the Environmental Association for
Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and a signatory to the Universities and Colleges Climate
Commitment for Scotland (UCCCfS) which commits the College play its part in helping
achieve the Scottish Government’s climate change targets outlined above.
Strategic Themes
There are two primary objectives of the Carbon Management Plan: to achieve a reduction in
carbon emissions and to embed carbon management within the culture of the College. In
order to achieve these objectives, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will continue to build on the key
themes identified in the 2011 Plan. The College’s strategy and implementation plan will
therefore need to address the following specific areas.
4.4 Energy
Energy use in buildings is by far the most significant source for carbon emissions,
contributing 93% of the College’s total footprint, as calculated. Rising fuel costs and
legislative drivers such as the CRC EES combine to make this a priority area for action.
The College will continue to focus on increasing the energy efficiency of the estate by
installing up-to-date technologies, including renewables where practicable, and engaging
with staff and other stakeholders.
Strategic Target:
To reduce LPG consumption by 20% and electricity consumption by 10% by 2020.
1 Stern Review Report on the Economics of Climate Change. N Stern, 2006. HM Treasury,
London.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
13
4.5 Travel/Transport
The College continues to strive to reduce carbon emissions arising from transport and
travel. In 2016, a review and enhancement was undertaken of the College’s staff travel
policy, the focus of which is the promotion of active travel (walking & cycling) and reduction
in staff business travel activity.
Strategic Targets:
Reduce the % of business miles by 10% by 2020
Increase the College’s use of video conferencing by 10% by 2020
4.6 Waste
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig continues its commitment to reducing the quantity of waste going to
landfill. Paper, cardboard and glass collection facilities are available through Highland
Council for the diversion of these materials from landfill into the recycling stream. The
Hospitality and Estates departments of the College have a responsibility for promoting
utilisation of the available recycling facilities.
Strategic Targets:
To comply with the Scottish Government’s targets for recycling and waste reduction
strategies
To introduce an effective and user-friendly means of recording and monitoring the
amount of waste the College produces for both landfill and recycling
To increase our overall figure for waste diverted from landfill to 50% by 2020
To achieve 75% paper recycling by 2020
4.7 Water
In addition to Planned Preventive Maintenance which ensures water loss from infrastructure
is minimised, the College continues to invest in water conservation measures which reduce
both consumption and waste water production.
Strategic Target:
To reduce water use by 10% by 2020
Carbon Reduction: Targets and Objectives
The crux of the review process is the setting off a carbon reduction target for the lifespan of
this CMP.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will reduce its calculated 2015 baseline carbon footprint by 94
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by the end of 2020.
This represents a reduction of 20% based on the total carbon footprint of 471 tCO2e
emissions for the year 2015/16. This 2015 carbon footprint baseline covers electricity, LPG,
staff travel, water and waste water consumption and waste disposal to landfill. The 20%
target will be based on a range of projects including energy, staff travel and student and
staff awareness raising initiatives.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
14
5 Emissions Baseline and Projections
The first step in developing a Carbon Management Plan is to determine the College’s current
emissions or carbon footprint, facilitating the setting of a realistic reduction target.
The resources to be included in the footprint must be decided at the outset. The Scope and
Boundaries of the carbon footprint will be determined by the extent of the estate, goods and
services over which the organisation has operational control, and the availability of good
quality data.
Once the scope has been set, a baseline year can be selected and the baseline footprint
determined.
The next stage in setting carbon reduction targets is the estimation of projected emissions/
costs if no action were taken (known as Business As Usual or BAU) in conjunction with
determination of potential savings with the implementation of carbon management projects
identified as achievable and fundable.
Projections for a range of future scenarios can be evaluated. The “gap” between the future
BAU emissions and the projected emissions with carbon management projects implemented
is known as the Value at Stake. The College’s target emissions reduction will be based on
this difference.
Scope
5.1 Emissions sources
The GHG Protocol2 categorises carbon emissions as scope 1, 2 or 3 emissions, as defined
below.
Scope 1 Emissions: Direct GHG emissions occur from sources that are owned or
controlled by the organisation, for example, emissions from combustion in owned or
controlled boilers, furnaces, vehicles, etc.; emissions from chemical production in owned or
controlled process equipment.
Scope 2 Emissions: Electricity indirect GHG emissions arise from the generation of
purchased electricity consumed by the organisation.
Scope 3 Emissions: An optional reporting category that allows for the treatment of all
other indirect emissions. Scope 3 emissions are a consequence of the activities of the
organisation, but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the company. Examples of
scope 3 activities are extraction and production of purchased materials; transportation of
purchased fuels; and use of sold products and services. Scope 3 also includes the
Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses for purchased electricity supplied through the
Grid.
Boundaries
Carbon footprints are generally defined in relation to two boundaries: the organisational
boundary and the operational boundary
2 The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Revised
Edition, Worlds Resources Institute; World Business Council for Sustainable Development,
2004.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
15
5.2 Organisational Boundary
The organisational boundary sets out which assets are to be included in the footprint and
how any shared assets will be accounted for.
The operational boundary essentially sets out the emission sources included in the
footprint. In keeping with good practice, and, in particular, the WRI Guidance for Public
Sector Organisations, this should include all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (e.g. on-site
fuel combustion, company owned vehicles and purchased electricity consumption). As
noted above, Scope 3 emissions (e.g. waste, water, commuting and business travel) are
considered discretionary but the following are recommended for inclusion by the above
noted guidance:
Transport: Specifically transport in non-owned vehicles, such as employee business travel,
commuting or transportation of purchased materials/goods and waste. Travel by air, ferry,
bus, rail and in employees own vehicles are all classed as Scope 3.
Waste: Unless waste is treated on-site, waste management falls under Scope 3. This may
cover the treatment of waste generated in the delivery of organisational services or disposal
of waste generated in the production of purchased materials and fuels. Waste treatment
activities can include disposal in landfill, incineration and composting. Emission factors for
recycling are generally negative as a result of emission savings through lower energy
requirements and avoided extraction of virgin materials. However, WRI guidance on Scope
3 emissions recommends that states that ‘avoided emissions’ associated with recycling
should not be included in, or deducted from, the Scope 3 inventory, but should instead be
reported separately.
Water: Defra reports different emission factors associated with water supply and
wastewater treatment, therefore it is recommended that both are reported.
Other: This may include emissions associated with the procurement of goods and services
purchased by the organisation. This category includes all upstream (i.e., well to tank)
emissions from the production of products purchased or acquired by the reporting company
in the reporting year. Products include both goods (tangible products) and services
(intangible products).
Baseline
The baseline year for this CMP is the 2015 financial year. Based on the scope outlined
above, the College’s total carbon footprint, or carbon footprint baseline, for 2015 was 471
tCO2e. The illustrations overleaf show the components of that footprint in terms of carbon
emissions and cost. Carbon emission figures for each category are also shown in the Table.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
16
Split by Source
2015/16
Carbon
Footprint (tCO2e)
Cost (£)
Stationary (Electricity & LPG to our buildings) 437 £146,184
Water 4 £ 4,099
Waste 13 £ 4,560
Transport 17 £ 8,468
Total 471 £163,311
An analysis of the figures in the table above shows that by far the greatest contributor to
the organisation’s carbon footprint is electricity which accounts for 50% (237 tCO2e) of the
footprint; this is followed by LPG gas which contributes 41% (194 tCO2e). Emissions from
energy from staff travel, waste to landfill and water consumption together account for less
than 10% (40 tCO2e) of the total footprint. Therefore reducing energy consumption in
buildings should be seen as a priority area for action. However, reductions achieved in all
categories will contribute to an overall decrease in the College’s total carbon footprint.
-
100
200
300
400
500
Stationary Water Waste Transport
tCO
2e
Source
Carbon Footprint - split by
source (tCO2e)
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
6 Carbon Management Projects
This section contains a summary of those projects which will help us meet our carbon reduction targets over the lifetime of our plan. It
includes projects which are already underway as well as those yet to begin. As the document shall be ‘live’, further projects will be added over
the life of the plan. The early initiatives have no introductory costs other than those which are already funded and it is anticipated that the
savings realised shall be identified and invested in subsequent cost-carrying projects
Existing projects
Ref Project Lead Funded Cost Annual Saving Pay
back
% Saving
from 2015
Year
Capital Operational Financial CO2
1 Improved efficiencies of
woodchip boiler
Head of
Estates
Yes £10,000 £5,000 p.a.
maintenance
£11,291 37
tonnes
0.9 19% 2017
2 Electricity consumption
metering & monitoring
Head of
Estates
Yes £5,000 - £2,825 11
tonnes
1.8 5% 2017
3 Extend recycling of
kitchen food waste
Head of
Estates
Yes - - £354 1
tonnes
- 2% 2017
Planned/Funded projects
Ref Project Lead Funded Cost Annual Saving Pay
back
% Saving
from 2009
Year
Capital Operational Financial CO2
4 Staff travel & waste
campaign
BUG Yes - - - 2
tonnes
- 0.5% 2017
5 Review business travel
& expenses
SMT Yes - - £1,004 2
tonnes
- 0.5% 2017
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
18
6.1 Areas for future investigation
Given its extensive experience of managing and operating two renewable biomass heating facilities, the College through its Building Users’
Group, is keen to share this experience with other interested parties both locally and nationally. It will also as part of this CM Plan explore the
feasibility of generating its own electricity either through a photovoltaic installation or a wind turbine, or a combination of both. This would have
the potential of reducing further the College’s future energy costs and their associated carbon emissions whilst at the same time offering a
potential income stream through the generation of electricity.
The College will consult with colleagues at both Resource Efficient Scotland and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges
(EAUC) in progressing a feasibility report on the various options. This exercise will quantify for each option their potential electricity generating
capacity given the college’s location, the likely capital costs, and potential savings and income streams. It is proposed to have the feasibility
study complete including recommendations for future action by the end of 2017.
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
7. Governance for Implementation
7.1 Embedding Carbon Management
In order to build upon the commitment which Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has already demonstrated
to help meet the targets of this Carbon Management Plan we intend to:
Implement a training and awareness programme on carbon management to all
college students and staff. This will highlight the reasons behind the Carbon
Management Plan and its targets and practical measures to be taken in helping to
achieve them. The college Students’ Association will play a key role in helping to
communicate this message and negotiations will take place around creating an
incentive scheme whereby a proportion of realised savings from carbon reduction
measures will be returned each year to assist with the work and projects of the
Students’ Association in return for achieving agreed targets on energy use, waste
and recycling rates;
Further embed carbon management into our strategic planning and priorities. To this
end, progress against the targets of this Plan will be reported to the College’s Senior
Management Group and at each quarterly meeting of the College’s Board of
directors. Emphasis will be on highlighting energy cost savings as they are realised
and on the CM Plan’s calculations to ensure continued commitment to achieving the
stated targets;
Introduce the topic of carbon management into our annual performance appraisal
system with managers from each college department - Arts and Development,
Education, and Finance and Administration - being made responsible for setting and
reporting progress against specific targets with their staff teams within the context of
the overall Plan. These will include measuring and monitoring on energy costs, and
on waste and recycling rates;
These departmental targets and progress against them will in turn be reported on a
quarterly basis within the college’s in-house newsletter, An Sgrìobag, and on the
college website. Students and staff will at the same time be encouraged to suggest
further carbon reduction measures to the Environmental Group for consideration,
with examples of best practice to be implemented across all departments;
Plana Lùghdachadh Carbon
(CM Plan) 2015 - 2020
20
7.2 Data Management – measuring the difference, measuring the benefit
The college’s Head of Estates and Services is responsible for gathering the required data on
the college’s key carbon performance indicators to be considered at bi-monthly meetings of
the Building Users’ Group (BUG) ahead of each quarterly meeting of the college Board of
directors. The key data to be gathered, following the same process as used in establishing
the baseline figures for 2015, will be:
Energy consumed - quarterly utility bills as verified by the finance department for each
college building for electricity (kWh), LPG (litres), and water (m³). This will also include the
quantity (m³) and cost of woodchip purchases to service the College’s two biomass boilers;
Monthly electronic heat data as verified by the biomass boiler plant on cumulative heat
output (MWh), periods of operation, and trends for peak and minimum heat load through
the month in question;
Quarterly statistics as verified by the finance department on the number and value of staff
private mileage claims, and journeys taken on public transport;
Monthly data from each department within the 3 principal college buildings and from the
Students’ Association on waste produced and uplifted from offices (type and quantity) and
on recycling rates (quantity for each of wood, kitchen food waste, paper, cardboard, plastic,
glass, and metal).
This data will then be used to plot progress against each of the stated targets from section 6
above by each of the principal college buildings and each department within them. The Zero
Waste Scotland baseline emissions tool underlying this CM Plan will also be used to calculate
and plot total college carbon emissions from each set of quarterly data which in turn will be
plotted against the predicted carbon reduction targets shown in the Projects section above.