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SAC’s Carbon Reduction Efforts Gain Seal of Approval

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N76
Published: 24 Sep 2010

SAC has ‘graduated’ from the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management Programme after developing a comprehensive plan for reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2015/16. To mark the graduation, SAC’s Director of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Janet Swadling, attended a ceremony in Edinburgh to accept a certificate from John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.

The Carbon Management Programme is designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework for reducing their carbon emissions by establishing their current baseline emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period.

SAC’s Carbon Management Plan defines its strategy for reducing carbon emissions by 20% from 2008/09 levels by the end of the financial year 2015/16. Carbon-reduction activities are focused around energy and water consumption; sustainable estate development; sustainable travel; waste reduction, recycling and disposal; and responsible procurement. Implementation of the plan is being coordinated by SAC’s Environment Committee. Divisional Environment Committees, including campus based committees at Aberdeen, Ayr and Edinburgh that involve students, have been set up to help implement environmental management initiatives.

Staff, students and visitors to SAC can play their part in reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint by being energy aware; adopting more sustainable travel options; reducing waste and recycling wherever possible.

Janet Swadling said: “SAC’s vision is to be a leader in carbon management for the land based sector. We are in a unique position to both manage our own carbon emissions and to influence others - receiving the approval of the Carbon Trust for our carbon reduction activities strengthens our position in this regard. Although we have ‘graduated’, our work continues internally to ensure we deliver on the commitments we have made in our Carbon Management Plan and that we fulfil our obligations to the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment for Scotland. The Environment Committee will be closely monitoring our progress.”

SAC was one of the 43 organisations to attend the Carbon Trust graduation ceremony – others include the University of Edinburgh, University of the West of Scotland, Robert Gordon University and Elmwood and Barony Colleges. The programme, which began in 2003, has seen over 100 public sector organisations develop a Carbon Management Plan.

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said: “The Carbon Trust helped save a record level of emissions last year through their energy efficiency advice to businesses and public bodies. It is encouraging to see so many Scottish organisations capitalising on their support, whether through the Marine Renewables Proving Fund for wave and tidal technologies, or the lighter touch Carbon Management Programme for smaller public bodies. I welcome the Carbon Trust’s support in the transition to a low carbon economy and sustainable growth for Scotland.”

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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