Students and Staff pledge to save energy

Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps was the first person to sign a personal pledge, which said that she will switch her computer off at the socket every day and recycling bins will be installed in her office instead of waste bins.

Each person chooses their own Energy Pledge as part of the University’s Energy Awareness Campaign, and the University is hoping to get 500 people to sign up this week.

Professor Gipps said: “The University has set itself a target of a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015 as part of our Carbon Management Plan. Everyone can do their bit so I’m pleased our students and staff are showing their commitment by signing personal energy pledges.”

To encourage staff and students to join in and help the University reach its target of 500 energy pledges this week, there is a chance to win a Fairtrade hamper and a further prize will be awarded for the most original, realistic individual pledge.

The University is hosting a number of activities this week to promote energy awareness and information will be available at all the University’s campuses of Wolverhampton City, Compton, Telford and Walsall.

Since April 2009, Wolverhampton has been one of eleven universities participating in the Carbon Trust’s fifth HE Carbon Management programme.

Figures show that switching a PC off at the socket each night can save 184kg of CO2 per year.

ENDS

Picture: Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps at the energy pledge signing.

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736