Eagle Eye Magazine Issue 1 2023

ut unfortunately the reality is that they require time and effort
to use and those doing so are likely already converts to low
carbon lifestyle. The college has therefore decided to provide
information in a more ‘in your face’ way, something which
students at Queen’s have been supportive of: We are currently
creating a poster for each room to explain how much CO 2 people
cause on average per year and to provide some simple guidance
for how people can make efforts to reduce this number. Travel is
one element, but there are several other important contributors.
The College’s plan is to encourage consideration of an overall
budget, which includes travel.
A series of experimental trials were
conducted in Back Quad to assess the
effectiveness of double-glazing. Please
can you tell us about what was learnt
during this process and what the next
phase is?
A prototype double-glazing unit
(approved for Grade I listed
buildings) was installed in one of
the College rooms in Back Quad.
Below is a picture taken of the South
range of Back Quad in the near
infrared. The two windows circled
are the same room but one window
has been equipped with secondary
double glazing. The trials, which were
interrupted by Covid, suggested that
it would be an extremely good idea
to fit double-glazing to Back Quad.
In fact, the improvement is so good
that it requires further analysis to see
what other factors might be at play.
At the same time, we also trialled the
use of thermostatic radiator controls
(TRVs) that allow remote monitoring
and local thermostat control.
Thermal imaging of Back Quad
showing the benefit of double-glazing.
The GB has asked the Clerk of Works to develop a detailed plan
to secondary glaze main College with double glazing panels and
installation of TRVs. It is highly likely that the GB will approve
this work when the plan is available.
Some organisations have a carbon budget for their travel; do
you think the concept of a carbon budget or calculator could
work in College too?
The College thinks it’s a good idea for every individual to
have a commitment to, and a plan for, reducing their carbon
budget. A lot of great calculators are available online already,
How do we check if seemingly sensible schemes have the
impact we want and avoid supporting or instigating greenwashing
measures?
One of the founding goals of the Carbon Committee was to do
just that: separate the wheat from the chaff and advise people
accordingly. It takes time to analyse proposals. These issues are
highly complex and even the experts
debate and disagree. We always ask
for the data. For example, we were
asked by the City Council to join a
local delivery scheme here in Oxford
designed to reduce CO 2 production
but when we asked for the evidence
for, and carbon goals of, the project,
there were none: it was simply
assumed to be a good course of
action. We then undertook our own
analysis and found it probably does
not help with carbon production, and
so we did not join as it is expensive.
What ideas do you have for
next steps?
Our biggest contribution to reducing
the impacts of climate change (and
reducing biodiversity loss) remains
through research and education.
However, in addition to the small
local improvements we must continue
to make on site, double glazing,
further energy efficiency gains,
further reduction of waste etc, and
to building carbon control into any
building and refurbishment plans, the
Carbon Committee is now exploring what the College can do in a
more global way.
Educating ourselves seems to be key in all these matters so do
you have any recommended reading on the climate crisis?
It would be great if education was all it took; that we could do.
At our first Carbon Committee meeting I recommended How Bad
are Bananas? by Prof Mike Berners-Lee. The book details the
carbon footprint of a wide range of activities and helps guide
people towards less carbon-costly lifestyle options. It’s also
quite fun and there are copies in the Senior, Middle and Junior
common rooms.
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