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September 2023

Hi,

As Autumn arrives and the academic year kicks off, we're looking forward to the busy months ahead. We'll have some new and some returning campaigns, new environmental education initiatives and further progress towards our carbon reduction and nature positive goals.

We kick things off this month with Welcome activities for new and returning students and competitions and giveaways open to all.

Let's dive right in!

Get in touch to get involved or to share your good news stories

Things you can do now

Second Hand September

This campaign by Oxfam asks people to rethink the month associated with Fashion Week and encourage them to shop second-hand instead. Can you pledge to buy more clothing second hand?

Read more

Share your commute and win

It's Liftshare Week (18-24 Sep)! Add a new journey or update an existing one on Liftshare by the end of September to be entered in a prize draw to win 1 of 5 £100 Love2Shop e-Giftcards.

Find out more

News and announcements

Nottingham researchers receive share of £19m committed to battery research

UoN research into the development of new materials and technologies for next generation batteries is one of four projects to receive additional funding from the Faraday Institution.

Continue reading

Growing our food diversity

The university has set in motion a fresh approach to our catering strategy, looking at expanding offerings whilst embracing more sustainable choices, creating and offering more diverse food options and opportunities to work closer with local communities.

See what's new

UoN teams up with Twycross Zoo to raise awareness of critically endangered animals

Holograms of critically endangered Javan rhinos and endangered African elephants have been installed at an exciting exhibition at Twycross Zoo, now open to the public.

Read more

Carbon Neutral Hotel Room Programme

In a move to tackle climate change, Key Travel has announced that for the entire month of September, their Carbon Neutral Hotel Room program is 'carbon negative'.

Find out more

Nature positive

Bug hotels installed

New bug hotels have been created on UP, Jubilee and KMC. Specially designed and sited by Notts Wildlife Trust, they provide a home to bugs, insects and beetles. Let us know what you think when you see one!

Help create one at Sutton Bonington on Wednesday 27 Sep, 10am – 12.30pm. Meet at School of Veterinary Science at 9.45am.

Bee hives at School of Life Sciences

Several thousand new members of SoLS have arrived at UP. The bee hives will support research and teaching initiatives, provide taster sessions and training in beekeeping practices, and support environmental initiatives by monitoring how the bees are using floral resources.

Get in touch with Sophie Evison, Tim Simpson or Kate Durrant to find out more and get involved

Upcoming events

25 Sep - 1 Oct

Sustainability at Welcome

The Sustainability Team will be at the Freshers Fairs and at two exciting Eco-Expo's on SB on 30 Sep and UP on 1 Oct. Come along to find out more about sustainability in Nottingham, with talks, stalls and fun activities.

Event schedule

Dr Bike

This month staff and students can drop in for a free bike service with Nottingham Bikeworks. October bookings are also open.

See available dates

Brighten Up!

As the nights start to draw in, our annual campaign encourages you to continue cycling whilst staying safe. To help, UoN Security will be handing out lights and other cycling goodies at several stands in October.

See the dates

Get rewarded

Sign up to Green Rewards by 31 October to be in with a chance of winning!

Also this month, vote in the biodiversity photo competition, take part in the 'Clean up our act campaign' and complete activities for Second-hand September.

Get involved

136,440

actions completed so far

198,266kg

CO2 equivalent saved

Saving energy with the Building Management System (BMS)

The BMS is a a computer-based control system for monitoring and optimising heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other critical building systems.

Small changes lead to big energy savings
James Bugg is a BMS engineer: “I try and balance energy consumption with occupant comfort. For example, I review the running hours of heating and ventilation systems and compare with when the spaces are open. In one building, systems were running 168 hours a week more than needed, which led to a significant saving with no negative impacts. I've also modified programming to automatically use free cooling from outside rather than relying on cooling systems to lower temperatures.”

As around 50% of UoN's £25m+ energy bill is attributed to heating and cooling buildings, and as energy prices have risen greatly, it’s imperative we reduce our energy demand - the BMS is therefore a key tool for meeting our carbon reduction targets.

Find out more about the BMS

James has worked for UoN in various roles since 2016. In March 2022 he joined the sustainability team to manage the BMS. He was joined in August by Douglas Leung, who brings extensive relevant experience and knowledge from 26 years at City University of Hong Kong.

Hi,