OUGD503 - Studio Brief 1 - Sustainability Logo and Identity (3 Days) - Research

Research into Sustainability

Dictionary Definitions

-The ability to be sustained, supported, upheld or confirmed. 
-Environmental Science. The quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural. Resources and thereby supporting long term ecological balance.
-The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
-The idea that good and services should be produced in ways that do not use resources that cannot be replaced and that do not damage the environment.
-The ability to continue at a particular level for a period of time.
-The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
- Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

Sustainability Framework 

United Nations definition of sustainability 

Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations 
UN World Summit (2005) formulated the three 'pillars' of sustainability which include social, economic, and environmental factors 

Sustainability in education 

Sustainable development means equipping students with knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes to help environmental, social and economic well being now and in the future.

http://portal.leeds-art.ac.uk/node/4297

Policies and Strategies 

Environmental policy 
Carbon Management plan
Procedurement policy
Waste managment 
Water management
Travel to work
Hospitality / Catering
LTE strategy 
Quality Processes

Sustainability in Leeds Arts University 

The university operates within the sustainability framework, which educates about long term cultural, economic and environmental health and vitality.
The framework uses three levels People, Place, Process which work in conjunction.
There is aspirations within the university to achieve the highest standards of sustainability.
The students sustainability society is called Conscious Creatives.
Most of the BA Programmes engage with the sustainability agenda using live briefs, working with communities and by exploring sustainable materials and techniques.
The collage is a member of The Environmental Association for Universities which aims to inspire, promote and support changes in practice for greater sustainability.

Aims within the college:
Reduce carbon footprint and optimise building infrastructure to be more energy efficient.
Encourage inquiry into sustainability through teaching, learning and research.
Embed sustainability in the curriculum.
Make students sustainability literate by providing skills, knowledge and understanding for a changing world.
Staff and students should be aware of their responsibilities to sustainability.
Encourage engagement with sustainable practices.
Share knowledge of sustainability to raise awareness and participation.

http://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/sustainability/

Sustainability Statistics in the University 

Energy Consumption 
Both gas and electricity are decreasing 6% year on year. 
There has been a reduction of 18% in the last three years.
Energy has been reduced by individuals taking responsibility for turning off lights, air conditioning, computers and using energy efficient technology.

CO2 Emissions
Has reduced by 23% since 2012 - 13.
They are decreasing by 8% year on year.
The university is improving recycling, sourcing local and sustainable food and installing low energy technology.

Waste Statistics
Waste has decreased by 78% since 2012 - 13.
84% of waste is diverted from landfill and recycled.
81% of waste in 2015 - 16 was recycled which was a 5% increase from 2014 - 15.
9% of waste was used to create energy in 2015 - 16.
98.9% of waste is recycled or reused.

http://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/sustainability/sustainability-statistics/

Leeds Arts University Sustainability Award

It is open to current students and recognises innovative and outstanding work that is centered around environmental, social and ethical issues with sustainability at the core of thinking and approaches.

http://portal.leeds-art.ac.uk/sustainability

Sustainable energy sources

Solar - Energy from sunlight is caught in solar panels and converted into electricity.
Wind - Wind is turned into electricity using wind turbines.
Tidal / Wave - The movement of tides turns turbines and tidal barriers are also used.
Geothermal - Natural heat from the earth in volcanic regions is used to heat up cold water creating steam, which is then for heating or powering turbines for electricity.
Hydoelectric Power - Energy is created from the movement of water in rivers, lakes and dams.
Biomass - Organic plant and animal waste is burned to create energy such as electricity and heat.
Wood - Trees are burnt to create heat and light.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/energy_resources/energy_rev2.shtml

Images and Graphics relating to Sustainability 

Many of the images to do with sustainability use nature imagery based on the environment. Key themes within the imagery are plants, growth, the planet and reduction and recycling. 

There is a common colour palette associated with this topic of greens, blues and browns which all come from the organic nature of the images.