Blackout is the centrepiece of ongoing university sustainability campaigns. With a large number of students trained in energy auditing each year and many staff involved, it is the biggest switch off and energy audit of its kind in the higher education sector.
In partnership with the Students' Union, the University of Southampton organised the world's first university-wide student-led energy audit: Southampton Blackout. This has gone on to be an annual event, becoming bigger and better each year with more volunteers and more buildings involved. The aim is simple:
- involve the entire University community in one large sustainability event, and
- raise awareness of energy waste on campus.
If you have any questions about Blackout please see the FAQs at the bottom, or email Julia Kendal.
Why are we doing it?
Blackout highlights the significant financial and environmental impact that we can all have on energy consumption. By turning off our computers and other unnecessary electrical items, the University could save over £200,000 a year. In time, these everyday actions will help to meet our 20% carbon reduction target by 2020.
The results from the first two years show that many staff are already in the habit of switching things off - but there's always more we can do.
To find out more about Blackout or get involved in future events please send us an email.
An award-winning initiative
In 2012, the management team received a Vice Chancellor's award for their outstanding contribution to the University. This award is usually just for staff, but an exception was made in including the SUSU Ethical & Environmental Officer, Joshua Davies, for his dedication to the project. The project was also highly commended in the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges Green Gown Awards category for student-led initiatives.