UC is on track to reduce carbon emissions from coal to zero by 2025 and to become carbon net neutral by 2030, in line with the sustainability aspirations of our Strategic Vision 2020 – 2030.
The next stage in this work is to install ground source heat pumps (GSHP), which will operate with the new biomass boilers to heat four buildings on Ilam campus. Heating by GSHPs is already in place in UC’s new buildings Haere-roa and Tupuānuku.
Eventually all of our 22 buildings on Ilam campus will be upgraded to be compatible with GSHP heating. At that point, the biomass boilers will be decommissioned.
Work on UC’s next stage of reducing our carbon emissions begins soon and continues for at least six months (we will know more once work is underway). From early August the contractor team will drill four aquifer bores to depths of 40 to 170 metres in the middle of Ilam campus, the main quadrangle bordered by Ernest Rutherford, West, Central Lecture Theatres, Beatrice Tinsley, Puaka-James Hight and Matariki buildings. There will be two drilling rigs in operation at a time.
We are expecting some disruption to the buildings next to drilling sites, especially noise, as well as low-level vibration. Managers and Heads of Schools in those buildings have been informed and will have discussed the impact of the groundworks with their staff.
We have been progressing toward this next stage of work for a long time. Since 2010 the University has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by almost a third, and we are on target to achieve carbon net neutrality by the end of the decade.
Our value of tiakitanga guides our work to care for our environment, resources and people. This upcoming campus work could be inconvenient for those situated nearby, however the work is absolutely necessary for our longer-term goals. Disruptive groundworks on campus will be halted during exam periods.
More information is available on the UC website here: Current and recent projects | About UC | University of Canterbury
We will keep you up to date as we progress. Keep an eye on Tū ki te tahi (Intranet/staff-only site) for more. Any specific concerns regarding important dates can be directed to Facilities management – alan.palmer@canterbury.ac.nz.
Ngā mihi,
Professor Jan Evans-Freeman
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability
