Sustainability goes online

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Tags: summer-2010, sustainability

UQ has launched a new sustainability website

The University of Queensland celebrated World Environment Day on June 4 with the launch of its new sustainability website.

Providing information on topics as diverse as climate change experiments and nesting boxes for native birds, the site is a one-stop-shop for information about how UQ is embedding sustainability into its research, teaching and operational activities.

Environmental coordinator Kay Ollett said the website pulled key details about individual projects into one central resource, highlighting the range of initiatives under way at UQ.

“UQ is dedicated to embedding sustainability in all aspects of campus life,” she said.

“This website provides a clear snapshot of how UQ is rising to the green challenge.”

Initiatives include developing an environmental area at The Lakes precinct at St Lucia and planting native species in the bushland areas at UQ’s experimental mine at Indooroopilly.

Ms Ollett said UQ aimed to incorporate a range of sustainable features into buildings and grounds to continually improve its environmental performance.

The Sir Llew Edwards Building, a recent addition to the St Lucia campus, features water harvesting, solar panels and an innovative shading system.

The University is also making serious and detailed efforts to reduce energy consumption. Lighting and air conditioning in lecture theatres is being automatically controlled to coincide with room bookings, staff are being urged to be vigilant about turning off computers and other equipment overnight, and energy efficient lighting has been installed around the campuses.

“In 2009 the University began widening its already established environmental program to embed sustainability into its teaching and research programs and operational activities,” Ms Ollett said.

“To achieve this, UQ is developing its carbon strategy to identify, prioritise and guide progress.”

The website is not just home to information on UQ’s operational sustainability efforts; it also contains details on research, collaborative projects and study programs.

By Penny Robinson

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