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Global Action Plan, a charity dedicated to helping people make positive changes to their energy use at home, in schools and the wider community, was invited by the University to become involved with students in halls. The aims of the project were to reduce energy wastage and to raise student awareness of environmental sustainability. 

A team of 15 students and two members of staff from Sport, Trading and Residential Services (STARS) acted as 'champions'. Various initiatives were carried out across the campus including putting up posters, door-knocking, and producing 'switch-off' stickers which were placed on light switches by halls management.

There was a huge amount of interaction between the champions and halls residents during the campaign, which produced some stunning results. The percentage of lights left on when not in use reduced from 72% to 39%, and for appliances there was a reduction from 56% to 15% - sustained economy such as this in the halls of residence would equate to a saving of 70 tonnes of CO2 per annum. 

STARS Marketing Manager Richard Handscombe said:
"Apart from the satisfaction inherent in making a genuine start towards tackling climate change and knowing they are making a difference, team members have found this a fun project, met lots of new people and enjoyed being involved in the environmental decision-making of the University."

Global Action Plan has been engaged once again to assist the halls of residence to make further savings of energy during this academic year.  The new campaign was launched at the beginning of October and already over 100 residents representing every hall of residence have volunteered and over 50 attended the initial training day held at Dalton Ellis Hall.

A more extensive audit will be conducted shortly and a new campaign launched in the continuing bid to reduce the University's energy consumption even further.