Sustainability Report 2023-24

Table of Contents

1. Summary
2. Goals and progress to date
3. Energy Use
4. Water Use
5. Waste & Waste minimisation
6. Transport
7. Streamlined energy and carbon reporting for college corporations

1. Summary

   1. This report covers the reporting period from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024. The College remains committed to reducing the environmental impacts of our operations and during 2024 has formally adopted the target of achieving net carbon zero by 2050. We continue to set specific objectives and goals in order to improve our environmental performance. This report sets out initial performance benchmarks and actions underway to monitor and improve the environmental impacts of our operations.
   2. Due to the impact of lockdowns during the covid pandemic in 2019/20 and 2020/21, we have used 2021/22 as our “baseline” year for monitoring our carbon reduction performance on our journey to Net Zero. Our performance so far is summarised in the chart below:
      
      
      
   3. The college’s historic Scope 1 (Gas) and Scope 2 (Electricity) energy use since August 2015 is summarised below.
      
      

2.  Progress so far:

   1. Since 2018/19 the college has undertaken a number of initiatives to deliver improvements as follows:

• 2019/20: Installation of improved energy efficient lighting across the London Road campus.
• 2019/20: Review of base load electricity consumption which identified significant reductions through optimising use and performance of air ventilation and extraction systems at London Road.
• 2019/20: Replacement of single use plastics in all College canteens with compostable alternatives, combined with incentives to use non disposable alternatives.
• 2019/20: Engagement with Teracycle to redirect writing implement waste to an effective recycling scheme.
• 2019-20: Active management of build-up of construction and motor vehicle wastes
• 2020/21: Renewal and upgrade of windows in the Performing Arts block at London Road campus to improve thermal efficiency and comfort of the building.
• 2020/21: Upgrade to London Road main building boiler with a more thermally efficient unit.
• 2020/21: Review and re-procurement of waste disposal routes.
• 2021/22: Installation of Solar Panels in January 2022.
• 2022/23: In July & August 2022 replacement of single glazed windows in Main Block at London Road Campus to improve thermal efficiency (and comfort) of the block.
• 2022/23: December 2022 & February 2023 - Installation of Voltage Reduction equipment at London Road campus, English Bridge and Welsh Bridge to reduce carbon emissions.
• 2022/23: December 2023 - Installation of power management system (ClearVue) to monitor and react to changes in usage at London Road.
• 2022/23: Commissioned and developed Heat decarbonisation plans for buildings with old gas-based heating systems.

In 2023/24 the college made the following improvements designed to continue reducing its carbon impact

• 2023/24: Commissioned and developed detailed designs for Heat decarbonisation of buildings at the English Bridge and London Road campuses.
• 2023/24: August 2023 - Installation of improved energy efficient lighting across the Welsh Bridge campus.
• 2023/24: July 2024 Replacement of remaining non LED Lighting across the English Bridge campus.

2. Goals 2023 to 2024 
   1. Continue to review and develop long term plans for EV charging points where appropriate and review opportunities to install further Solar electricity production capacity.
   2. Continue staff and student engagement to raise awareness and engagement in sustainability activities and sustainable behaviours.
   3. Continue to improve monitoring and management of energy use on all campuses.
   4. Focus on more active management of water consumption and leak identification.

3. Energy Use

Annual Electricity consumption

1. The tables below set out the past nine years' annual electricity consumption, as measured by KWh usage, CO_2e emissions and KWh per m² used. The data is taken from the historic half hourly meter readings on each of the College’s campus sites. 

GIA = Gross Internal Area m²

2. Consumption in 2019/20 and 2020/21 was reduced by the Covid pandemic lockdowns, significant reductions have been achieved on all campuses since 2021 as the result of measures outlined above and in particular by the introduction of new solar panels at the London Road campus in January 2022. Voltage optimisers were installed in 2023 at all three sites to further reduce consumption.
3. Continued monitoring remains in force following the introduction of power management system (Clear Vue) at London Road, identifying when there are unexpected surges in usage allowing management to react and rectify in a timely manner.

Annual Gas Consumption

4. Gas is used to supply heating and hot water at all three campuses. Gas demand is driven primarily by outside temperatures. The differing thermal efficiencies of the buildings at each campus primarily drive the amount of heating and gas consumption required. The London Road campus has a Building Energy Management system designed to control, manage, and monitor heating in several buildings. Use of such BEM systems are estimated to reduce overall gas usage. The age and condition of existing heating systems at the English Bridge and Welsh Bridge mean that installation of equivalent BMS systems at these campuses is not currently considered practical. Alternative mechanisms for enabling improved regulation of heating will be kept under review and implemented as practicable.
5. The tables below set out the past nine years' annual gas consumption, as measured by KWh usage, CO_2e emissions and KWh per m² used. The. The data is taken from the historic meter readings on each of the College’s campus sites.

6. Consumption in 2020/21 was particularly high due to the requirements to ensure high ventilation in rooms to help reduce transmission during the covid pandemic, and yet try to maintain thermal comfort for students and staff. Significant reductions have been achieved on all campuses since 2021/22 as the result of measures outlined above and in particular by the introduction of new double glazing at the London Road campus in July and August 2022. In addition, starting in 2021/22 the College actively reviewed the use and timing of heating of its campus buildings in response to external temperatures and staff and student feedback to reduce the amount of gas used.

4. Water Use

1. Water is a precious resource and clean, drinking water is both energy and chemical intensive in its production and supply. Water use is primarily people related with most water being used in toilet and cooking facilities. At the London Road campus, water is also consumed by the Sports Centre changing facilities and other curriculum areas such as sports, hair and beauty and brickwork. At the English and Welsh Bridge campuses water is only used primarily for toilet and cooking facilities.
2. The table below sets out the past six years’ annual water consumption. The data is taken from the historic readings on each of the College’s campus sites.
3. There was a major leak at London Road in December 2021 that affected consumption at London Road.

* - Welsh Bridge meter readings data for 15/16 and 16/17 are not reliable or consistent and have been excluded.

** - London Road consumption for 21/22 and 22/23 is inflated by a major pipe leak which occurred underneath a building and so did not become immediately apparent.

5. Waste & Waste minimisation

   1. The College recognises the importance of the UK Government’s waste hierarchy, namely ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’. The College is committed to disposing of materials in an environmentally sensitive manner and encouraging the reuse and recycling of waste materials where possible. However, the minimisation of wastes produced is the first priority.
   2. Since 1 April 2021 the College’s waste is disposed of by Veolia, who have recently invested in a new disposal facility in Shrewsbury, with the additional benefit of reducing transport mileage to and from the college and the disposal site.
   3. Veolia transports solid waste to specialised sorting centres. Waste resulting from the selective collection of commercial waste and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste is sent to high performance sorting centres managed by Veolia. Specialised processes, such as auto-adaptive sequential sorting (TS2A), are used to achieve recovery rates of up to 95%. The recovered waste then becomes secondary raw materials for industry. Veolia also separates and recycles complex waste, such as batteries and electronic cards.
   4. Non-recyclable non-hazardous waste is estimated to be 60% of the waste stream that is transported to incineration plants. 100% of the waste has been diverted from landfills. 92.63% has been recycled. The incineration process produces energy in the form of steam which is converted into electricity and fed into the national grid distribution network. Veolia also captures gas generated by the fermentation of organic waste in its landfills. This biogas is then directly delivered to a distribution network, used to produce electricity through turbines or engines, or used as fuel for vehicles.
   5. Specialist wastes (e.g. building waste, metals etc.) are stored and disposed of separately through appropriate routes. e.g. Metal waste is sold to scrap metal merchants for re-use.
   6. During 2023-24 London Road campus waste streams were as follows

6. Waste streams from English Bridge campus are measured and reported by Veolia. The table below shows the total waste by type for English Bridge.

9. Waste streams from Welsh Bridge Campus are measured and reported by Veolia. The table below shows the total waste by type for Welsh Bridge.

6.  Transport

In 2023-24 staff travelled 119,573 miles on college business and College minibuses and other vehicles travelled 53,322 miles. This equates to the following CO2 emissions.

7.  Streamlined energy and carbon reporting for college corporations.

The following table summarises the College’s annual UK energy use (in KWh) relating to gas, purchased electricity and transport fuel and the associated greenhouse gas emissions (in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e))

We have followed the 2020 HM Government Environmental Reporting Guidelines. We have also used the GHG Reporting Protocol – Corporate Standard and have used the 2021 UK Government’s Conversion Factors for Company Reporting.

Intensity measurement.

The chosen intensity measurement ratio is total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e per staff member, the recommended ratio for the sector. Measures taken to improve energy efficiency during the year have been set out in section 2 above.