Paul E. Brockway

Integrating an ICT carbon calculator tool into procurement processes at De Montfort University: lessons learned

Background: This paper presents lessons learnt from a Jisc-funded research project that developed and implemented an information communication technology tool enabling staff to understand the environmental impact of their activities and support sustainable procurement across De Montfort University (Leicester, UK). Results: An environmentally extended input–output calculation approach was adopted to calculate the emissions and a ‘dashboard style’ approach was used to present the information. While the tool was developed successfully, its institutional impact was limited by numerous barriers. Conclusion: These challenges provided several key learning points: cost remains the main priority in procurement teams much higher than environmental aspects; committed ‘champions’ are key to organizational change; and information communication technology carbon/sustainability tools need to be an integral part of an organization’s existing procurement systems.

Giving something back: improving Ethiopian engineering education

This is a personal report of a volunteer engineer who worked as a civil engineering lecturer in Ethiopia for two years on a placement with Voluntary Service Overseas. In addition to his main teaching role, most of which was blackboard-based, he was able to make a major contribution to improving the way the technology faculty operated. He also became involved in road safety and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns. In return he and his wife gained a significantly broader view of the world and its problems, confirming their belief that volunteering is a genuinely two-way process.