Reducing Environmental Impact: Analysis of Solar Energy, E-bikes and Paperless Office for University of Northampton

The report analyzes three solutions available to the University of Northampton for reducing environmental impact: solar energy, e-bikes, and paperless office. It suggests adoption of solar panel as the best option for reducing greenhouse gas emission and combating climate change. The report critically evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each option and recommends solar panel initiative for the university.

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Executive Summary
The University of Northampton desire to reduce the impact of the environment
however they have some funding issues. Considering this scenario, the main aim of the
current research report is to analyze the three solutions from varied viewpoints available to
the UNoL by critically evaluating the three articles for making improvement in the
environmental impact such as going for solar energy, paperless and e-bikes. The report has
communicated the appropriate outcomes, solutions and suggestions. In other words, the
report has suggested one possible option that the university should adopt for the purpose of
reducing the impact of environment by their actions and doings and that is adoption of
solar panel as it will help the university in combatting the greenhouse gas emission and can
be leveraged in place of conventional electricity to power the lives
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Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Analysis
Key ideas and arguments related to the issue supported by first article – Solar Energy.........................1
Key ideas and arguments related to the issue supported by second article – E-bikes............................2
Key ideas and arguments related to the issue supported by third article – Paperless office..................2
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reference list
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Introduction
Because of the diverse actions and doings of the humans, there has been rising
degradation of the environment and is also leading towards imbalance in the atmosphere.
Almost every single person is unswervingly relied on ecology and therefore, it is quite
essential to adopt certain steps approaches and strategies for diminishing the influence.
Considering the case of the University of Northampton (UoNL), they are also desiring to
diminish the impact of climate change, nevertheless is facing an issue related to little
budget being present for supporting any initiative. There are varied probable solutions like
making use of solar panels, adopting paperless strategy and utilization of e-bike scheme by
which the environmental impact can be reduced. The present research report will focus on
analyzing the three solutions from varied viewpoints available to the University of
Northampton and will communicate the appropriate outcomes, solutions and suggestions.
In other words, the report will suggest one possible option that the university should adopt
for the purpose of reducing the impact of environment by their actions and doings.
Analysis
Solar Energy
The primary suggestion in regards with reducing the impact of environment for the
UoNL is to have some investment in the utilization of solar system. Further, it is also
important that the University must generate consciousness about the unnecessary
consumption of electricity and its relative impact on the atmosphere and biodiversity. In
the article, it has been attributed that the through investing in solar panels, the university
will be in a position to unplug the networks nourished by the coal panels as well as natural
gas plants that helps in generating of particular matter, sulphur dioxide plus nitrogen oxide.
Certainly, such kind of plants results into higher level of air pollution that further leads to
acidic rains and fog that results into sombre issues of health among animals and humans
(ZEN Energy, 2018). In addition to this, if the University will make use of solar panels
than they will be going to have varied benefits like improved health, better environment,
carbon footprint, decreased greenhouse gas emission, quality of life of students and
educators, better weather conditions etc.
However, the cost of installation of solar panels is very high and thus, it cannot be
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installed in all the areas of university. Nevertheless, awareness can be created regarding
minimizing the needless use of electricity through giving information to the students in
regards with its negative impact on humans and environment.
E-bikes
Another suggestion for the UoNL in regards with reducing the impact of
environment is to have some investment in the electronic bike which can be used as a
medium for conveyance within the campus of the University. This option is considered to
be the unsurpassed inventiveness as through this the greenhouse gas emission can be
reduced. Other than this, the use of E-bikes will also leads to car free household and is
being evidenced by the authors Newson and Sloman (2019), that almost 40% of the
individuals who received the funding for buying e-bike subsequently decreased the
utilization of car and other vehicles for commuting. Additionally, as per Langford and et.al.
(2017) increasing use of e-bikes also does not levy any type of stress on the riders as it
comes up with different features which support the users in riding the bike more safely and
without any struggle or efforts.
Other than this, it has been originated from the article that in Netherlands as well as
Belgium, the sales of electronic bikes were 20 times more than Britain. Popularity of the e-
bikes in this region is mainly due to grants being offered by both national and state
governments for buying these bikes. From the different perspective, the regular use of E-
bikes will also help the students along with the educators to remain fit and avoid them from
riding standard bikes. Although the having a e-bike in the campus of university is an
expensive option for the management, still it will result into saving of many people who
will participate.
Paperless office
The last probable suggestion for UNoL in regards with reducing the impact of
environment is to have some investment in the digital platform. This will encompass
upgradation of the storing system of the University and shifting towards digital format.
This options if implemented will help in reducing the consumption of natural resources and
indirectly decreased deforestation which is done because of the rising need of paper. As per
Leonard (2019), The digital format will help in converting paper into electronic documents
and will result into elimination of enormous paper-based system like paper-based exams.
Trees are better known for carbon sinks and with this option, the requirement of paper will
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be reduced and trees will absorb carbon dioxide gases and decrease the level of pollution in
the air.
Paperless office will provide varied benefits like it will support in increasing the life
quality of the students and the educators and will certainly help in plummeting the
utilization of paper (Leonard, 2019). Overall, this will reduce the level of carbon footprint.
Second benefit is that, it will save cost of the university as they no need to purchase tons of
papers, ink, printers and labours. Nevertheless, the article has highlighted some drawbacks
of using this digital format. The most important is that when everything is being stored
on cloud or digital stage than there is a probability of crashing of system and loss of
information. Therefore, it is quite important to make sure that the data is being backed up
regularly. Furthermore, outage of power and internet server are among the other challenges
that might come across in front of UNoL if they pursue this option. Lastly, although digital
documents are being considered harmless in contrary to paper-based documents, it is not
full proof as drive can crash anytime and there might be loss of information.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the above evaluation it can be very well attributed that University
of Northampton (UoNL) is being planning to reduce the environmental impact of their
activities and actions by implementing different possible options, however because of the
lack of sufficient funds they are not been able to implement the same. the report has
critically evaluated the three articles that has supported the university with the ideas for
improving the environmental impact. The very first being identified was the utilization of
Solar panel. The second was the use of E-bike in the university campus and the last one
was related with moving towards digital or paperless platform. Further, it has been
identified from the analysis that all the three options have some or the other advantages and
disadvantages. For illustration, the solar panels will help in reduction in consumption of
electricity but considered to be more costly option. On the other hand, e-bikes will also
reduce the greenhouse gas emission, however can be a big investment for the University.
The last one was the paperless platform which will reduce the carbon footprint but totally
depended on digital format can leads to crashing of software and lose of data. Thus, it is
crucial for the university to chose one option as per their requirements.
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Recommendations
On the basis of the analysis carried out in the above section, it is suggested to the
University of Northampton to take into account the first option that is implementation of
solar panel system within their university campus. The other two options that is the e-bikes
and paperless formats are also quite good for reducing the environmental impact.
Nevertheless, e-bikes encompasses large amount of costs and will also going to have an
additional expenditure to the university related to its repair and maintenance. At this present
time, the University of Northampton cannot afford that much expenditure. On the other side,
paperless format is also being regarded as the suitable option for improving the
environment, nonetheless crashing of hardware and software might leads in loss of valuable
data which are stockpiled in the system in the digital format. Other than this, the
implementation of digital platforms all over the University is also considered to be a pricey
option. Therefore, taking into account all these factors in the intellect, it is significant that
the university should chose solar panel initiative. It is recommended to them to make
investment in this solar system. In this regard:
 They are also required to create awareness about the unwanted and unneeded
consumption of electricity by giving knowledge to the students about its impacts on
both the environment as well as their lives.
 They university can have roof mount solar installations as it has plenty of roof space
 In addition to this, they can also have parking lot solar canopy and solar shade
awnings
 This will help the university in combatting the greenhouse gas emission and can be
leveraged in place of conventional electricity to power the lives.
 In addition to this, prove costly for the university as there are many tax rebates and
credits available from the government for schools and colleges.
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Reference list
Books and journals
Newson, C. and Sloman, L., 2019. The Case for a UK Incentive for E-bikes. Transport
for quality of life. London: Bicycle Association.
Langford, B., Cherry, C., Bassett, D., Fitzhugh, E. and Dhakal, N., 2017. Comparing
physical activity of pedal-assist electric bikes with walking and conventional
bicycles’, Journal of Transport & Health. 6. pp.463-473.
Online references
Leonard, K., 2019. Advantages & Disadvantages of a Paperless Office. [Online]. Available
through: <https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-amp-disadvantages-
paperless- office-40653.html>. [Accessed on 14thJuly 2022].
ZEN Energy. 2018. 5 Advantages of Solar Energy on the Environment. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.zenenergy.com.au/blog/five-advantages-of-solar-energy-
on- the-environment/>. [Accessed on 14thJuly 2022].
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