Famend impartial boarding college Gordonstoun has introduced carbon emissions reductions of almost 10% for 2022-23, alongside plans to construct its personal photo voltaic farm.
The varsity, set in 200 acres of woodland by the Moray Firth, north west of Aberdeen, achieved the cuts primarily by reductions within the quantities of gasoline, heating oil and gas for transport that it used over the 12-month interval. It says it plans to turn out to be one of many greenest colleges within the nation.
Three generations of British royalty have been educated at Gordonstoun, together with King Charles III.
The varsity says the measures taken in that 12-month interval saved virtually 150,000 metric tonnes of CO2 – equal to 10,000 scorching air balloons – with emissions falling from 1,605,207 to 1,455,549 metric tonnes of CO2 per yr.
It’s now finalising a longer-term sustainability technique, which entails extra formidable measures to assist meet targets. In February, Gordonstoun opened a brand new constructing, the Queen Elizabeth II Rooms, constructed with supplies chosen for minimal embodied carbon and that includes photo voltaic PV panels, floor supply heating and superior CO2 monitoring know-how.
The varsity has additionally dedicated to investing round £15 million within the subsequent section of its campus grasp plan, which is able to embody a brand new photo voltaic farm to supply vitality for the varsity and probably a few of its neighbours.
A spokesperson for the varsity informed Vitality Voice that the placement of the photo voltaic farm had but to be determined. They’re presently taking a look at websites close to the varsity, together with land used for agriculture. It’s hoped that the technical design might be finalised by the tip of the yr, with the positioning changing into operational in 2025. The venture is more likely to be funded by a specialist inexperienced mortgage facility.
Senior college head Simon Cane-Hardy mentioned: “As Gordonstoun celebrates its ninetieth anniversary, it’s vital that we future proof the varsity for many years to come back. All new buildings might be constructed to the best environmental requirements and the photo voltaic farm will ultimately present most of our vitality.”
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