Law School Sustainability

The Law School undertook a Sustainability Assessment with the Office of Sustainability in 2011. The assessment recommended that a number of small energy efficiency projects (largely building retrofits) be undertaken, in conjunction with a behavioural change project. This project has been funded as part of the 2012 Green Project Fund, see details below.

Faculty/School/Unit: Faculty of the Professions, Law School

Project Goals & Objectives

• Reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with the delivery of bottled water
• Test the ability of various grades of window film to handle direct heat
• Demonstrate effectiveness of window films as a way to increase year-round user comfort
• Reduced costs associated with the need to cool offices through HVAC year round
• Reduce energy wastage by shutting down air conditioning, lighting, computers and projectors when rooms are not in use.

Green Project Fund: $10,000
Payback Period: 18 months (estimated)

Through this project, the Law School expect to;

• reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with the delivery of bottled water, 
• test the ability of various grades of window film to handle direct heat, demonstrate effectiveness of window films as a way to increase year-round user comfort,
• reduce costs associated with the need to cool offices through HVAC year round, and,
• reduce energy wastage by shutting down air conditioning, lighting, computers and projectors when rooms are not in use.

More information on specific initiatives below.

Window films
Offices on the Western side of the Ligertwood Building are subject to intense afternoon sun and glare. By installing high quality insulating window film, staff will be less reliant on using air conditioning to cool their offices, resulting in reduced energy use.

Occupancy sensors
Tutorial rooms in the Ligertwood building are in continuous use and are energy intensive by nature with desktop computers, projectors, central (or independent) air conditioning and lighting. Often one or many of the energy users are left operating when there is no activity within the room. Five off-ceiling PIR occupancy sensors will be installed to switch off energy-using infrastructure and equipment after a period of inactivity.

Water Bubblers
Costly and carbon-intensive Piccadilly Spring Water is currently purchased by the school as the primary option for staff. Drink fountains on levels two and three will be retrofitted with a filtered tap, as will the level three kitchen.

Behavioural Change
A large LED screen will be purchased and installed in the foyer of the Law School. As well as displaying information relevant to school activities, it will also show energy-saving and green office tips, data relating to energy use and other sustainability-related information. The screen will be supplemented by various other communications to staff, including email, posters, stickers and signage.

Lead Project Representative: Peter Burdon

Office of Sustainability Contact: Mathew Jeffrey