UQ cuts carbon emissions and makes big savings

A major energy efficiency project at the University of Queensland is saving two tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every day.
As part of UQ’s ongoing sustainability program, UQ’s Property and Facilities Division recently replaced all lighting in three buildings on the St Lucia campus with energy efficiently LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

The buildings are the two multi-storey carparks and Oval 6 Car Park 98C.
The change reduces energy consumption by 84 per cent, equating to $100,000 in annual energy costs.
The environmental savings are also considerable, with a reduction of 750 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually from the three buildings—the equivalent of running 100 average-sized homes.
University of Queensland’s Property and Facilities Division Deputy Director Mr Geoff Dennis said the upgrade ticked all the right boxes.
“It saves energy, reduces the university’s carbon footprint and lowers operating costs, both in terms of electricity consumption and future maintenance,” he said. “LEDs have a much longer life span, so lighting maintenance will need to be performed less frequently.”
The Property and Facilities Division Energy Manager, Chris Collins said the amenity for building users was another positive result from the project.
“The quality of the LED light provides a better service to car park users, yet at the same time light spill outside the building is reduced to the benefit of our neighbours,” he said. “Security is increased because the excellent colour rendition of the LEDs enhances the performance of the buildings’ CCTV cameras.”
The project is the latest in the University of Queensland’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact in the built environment.
“While we’ve made it a priority to ensure all new buildings at UQ are designed to the highest sustainability standards, we also recognise that energy efficiency retrofits are critical to greening the university’s existing building stock,” Mr Dennis said. “The success of this project across all indicators reinforces the case for future investment in energy efficiency initiatives at the university.”

Master of Environmental Management at the University of Queensland

Environmental management is the planning and implementation of actions geared to improve the quality of the human environment. The postgraduate programs in environmental management at the University of Queensland are multidisciplinary programs designed to enhance the skills and technical expertise of graduates working in all facets of the environmental arena. The programs aim to produce managers able to address the many issues in the highly complex and changing area of environmental management. At Masters level the degree may be taken in a range of fields.
Studies may be undertaken in the following specialisations:

• Conservation Biology
• Conservation and Natural Resource Management
• Resource and Environmental Economics
• Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development?
This plan is designed for students who wish to solve environmental problems. It emphasises the importance of a healthy environment as the basis of sustainable jobs and industries. Students gain the skills and knowledge to work towards sustainable development. Courses explore strategies ranging from cleaner production for individual industries, and better environment design, to regional and national environmental policies and plans.
Students acquire integrated knowledge across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including ecology, geography, economics, planning, law, environmental design and relevant social sciences. The final year focuses on environmental problem-solving and allows students to specialise in specific areas of sustainable environment management. Students also gain professional experience in applying social, economic, business and scientific principles to the management of natural, rural, and urban resources.
Program: Master of Environmental Management
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intakes: July 2014 and February 2015
Duration: 1.5 years
Entry requirements
Bachelor degree with a in environmental management, environmental science; environmental studies; geography; natural resources; biology; ecology; conservation; sustainable development/sustainability; environmental engineering; marine science; marine studies; or an approved discipline with a GPA of 4.5 on a 7 point scale.

Apply to the University of Queensland!

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