St John's reduces energy consumption during Green Week

St John's successfully managed to reduce its electricity usage during Green Week, an event which coincided with the University's Switch Off Week.

Green Week, which ran between 10 and 16 November, was a campaign to raise awareness about how St John's can help the environment and to promote environmentally-conscious behaviour throughout the year. The week-long campaign took place at the same time as Cambridge University's Switch Off Week, an initiative in which all Colleges participated to try to reduce their energy consumption. Electricity usage was measured before, during, and after the event, and although the University as a whole increased its usage during that period by 0.5%, St John's managed to reduce its consumption by -0.6%, a difference of 303 kWh in total, and more than a number of comparable Colleges.

Members of St John's were encouraged to make a difference to the amount of energy consumed in College by turning off electrical appliances overnight, wearing extra layers instead of turning up the heating, boiling the amount of water required when making a hot drink, taking shorter showers, and turning off the lights when leaving a room or corridor. Members were also encouraged to recycle more and to reduce the amount of waste produced in College.

During Green Week there was a varied programme of student-led activities and events aimed at encouraging people who live and work in the College to think about how they can contribute to a more sustainable future, including a Sustainable Superhall showcasing locally-sourced food, and a local beer and cheese tasting evening.

'There's clearly more we can do to reduce energy, waste and food miles, but we have made a good start,' said Mark Wells, Domestic Bursar. 'Green Week may be over, but the messages are as valid today as they were then.'

To read more about Green Week and the results of the initiative visit the Green Week page.