An initiative which should save 55 tonnes of CO2 per year!
A role to play in climate change
The famous British Library, the national library of the United Kingdom, has recently received a major facelift! As part of Green Library Week (October 17 to November 20, 2024), the British Library presented its new sustainability and climate change strategy.
Indeed, as Catherine Ross, responsible for sustainable development of the library, explains in a press release published on October 8, 2024, the library completely has its “role to play in supporting society’s efforts to adapt and cope” to climate change.
The strategy implemented by the British Library
This strategy notably includes the installation of solar panels on its roof, i.e. 950 solar collectors. This initiative would help reduce CO2 emissions by 55 tonnes per year. Thanks to the energy produced, it will be possible to heat the water and maintain the interior of the library at an ambient temperature necessary for the proper conservation of works in the national collection.
This project, which cost a modest sum of £1.5 million (€1,792,410), was financed by the public sector decarbonisation programme, as detailed in a BBC article. According to Naked Energy, the company that supplied the solar panels, these sensors are “revolutionaries” since they would convert the sun's energy into heat and electricity, unlike other sensors, which only produce heat.
Preserving the past and protecting our future
Jon Benford, managing director of CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, told the BBC he was particularly proud of the project, which plays a role “both in preserving the past and protecting the future”.
As Catherine Ross points out in the press release, the library is not starting from scratch, since this is not the first time that it has taken up this environmental theme. Exhibitions to tell stories about climate through exhibitions and other events are given, heat pumps are used to “recover heat from the ground and air”, recycling is also encouraged… “ We were already doing a lot, but the new strategy brings it all together in one place”.
The strategy is divided into four main sections:
- sustainable places
- sustainable goals
- lasting partnerships
- integrate sustainability.
Annual reports will ensure proper monitoring of operations.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
