The University of Waikato, New Zealand has received NZ$1.31 million from the State Sector Decarbonisation Fund that will be used for the campus-wide upgrade of lighting to efficient LEDs and replacement of gas heaters and gas domestic hot water cylinders on its Hamilton campus.
Jim Mercer, chief operating officer at the University of Waikato, expects the new investment to be a game-changer for the university as it will support the university’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The projects are expected to reduce emissions by an estimated 5,718 metric tons over the next decade.
“We’re also marching ahead with other plans, including significant investments in solar power and building optimisation for our Hamilton campus,” Mercer added. “While sustainability principles are firmly embedded within our new developments – including The Pā and our Tauranga campus – our big challenge lies with our older infrastructure. This requires us to be innovative and attentive and continue to prioritise this work in everything we do.”
The first round of rooftop panels are now being rolled out, he noted.
Some initiatives already undertaken include the replacement of gas hot water boilers with a biomass boiler and a CO2 heat pump in a section of student accommodation as well as upgrading lighting in a number of buildings to LED alternatives.
