UONL Report: Improving Environmental Impact through Green Initiatives

This report discusses various measures that organizations, particularly the University of Northampton (UONL), can implement to achieve sustainable development and minimize their negative environmental and societal impacts. It analyzes options such as investing in solar energy, adopting digital technologies for paperless operations, and promoting e-bikes for staff transportation. The report evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each measure, considering factors like cost, environmental benefits, and potential challenges. Ultimately, it recommends investing in solar panels as the most viable option for UONL to reduce its carbon footprint, lower electricity costs, and minimize water wastage, contributing to a more sustainable future. The report concludes that prioritizing environmental protection is crucial in today's context of rising global warming and emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to mitigate serious environmental consequences. Desklib offers a wide array of similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

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Executive summary
The report has discussed the various aspects and measures that must be considered by the
organisations for creating sustainable development and reducing their negative impacts on the
environment and society. It has analysed different available measures for improving the impact
on the environment such as use of solar energy, implementing digital technology in use and
renovating the methods of transportation etc. The report has described various advantages and
disadvantages of opting and investing in these measures for reducing the negative impacts on
environment and enhancing sustainable growth of an organisation.

Contents
Introduction:.....................................................................................................................................4
Analysing the measures for improving environmental impact........................................................4
First option: Making investments on solar energy:................................................................4
Second option: Using digital technologies for paper-free business activities:.......................5
Third option: Spending on E-bike:.........................................................................................6
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................7
Recommendation:............................................................................................................................7
References:.......................................................................................................................................8

Introduction:
The practising of Environmental protection methods is necessary for every commercial
organisation in order to minimise exploitation of Mother Nature in the form of cutting trees for
paper or using fossil fuels for meeting the energy requirements. The protection of environment is
essential in today's situation where the importance to save nature rises. For this report University
of Northampton (UONL) is taken consideration. The University of Northampton provides a wide
range of undergraduate degrees to the students in UK. The report will critically explain about the
different options available for the educational institution UONL in order to reduce negative
impact of its operation on the environment. In the end, the report will recommend the most
suitable strategies which will support the company in improving its impact on the environment.
Analysing the measures for improving environmental impact
There are different available options in front of the UONL from which the company can
practise by taking measures for minimising the impact of its operation on the environment. The
options which are available are investing in solar plants, doing investments related to purchasing
E-bikes for the staff usage or it can be using upgraded digital technologies for teaching as well as
performing administrative functions in order to eliminate usage of paper. The following points
will critically analyse the above discussed measures:
First option: Making investments on solar energy:
The first option for UONL is to make investment in buying solar panels in order to save
the electricity bills and more importantly reducing the reliance on using fossil fuels on meeting
energy requirements. The purchasing of solar panels is good option for reducing the level of
damage to the environment as this is the most sustainable option available (Leonard, K., 2019).
The following are the benefits as well as disadvantage of using Solar panels are:
Advantages

The one of the most critical benefit of using solar plants is that it requires no water to
operate. The very low reliance on water helps the company to eliminate usage of excess water
which leads to the saving of water in the most effective manner. The other benefit of using solar
panel as the energy source is that it produces no pollution as compared to the fossil fuel sources
of energy. The using solar panel will not produce any harmful carbon dioxide as well as methane
gases which is harmful not only for the environment but for the health of humans also.
Disadvantages:
The one of major demerit behind using solar power panels for energy resources is that
these panels are heavily dependent on the sunshine to operate effectively. In case there is low or
no sunlight the system will not work properly. The solar panels do not guarantee the indefinite
usage as the solar panels can get damaged which will need immediate replacement leading to
extra costs.
Second option: Using digital technologies for paper-free business activities:
The going paper-less strategy for the company is also a good option as this will help the
firm in reducing the impact on environment regarding saving trees from cutting or using less
volume of water. The following are the advantages as well as disadvantages of using digital
technologies in going paper fewer modes are:
Advantages:
The storage of information in the digital format will be helpful for the university as it will
reduce the cost incurred on printing papers as well as storing large amount papers can be
inconvenient. This also supports the UONL in eliminating shredding service cost incurred in the
paperwork. The other major merit of going paper-less by the university supports it to introduce
online database software through which all the employees of company can seek information
whenever they need to collect. In addition to this, it will also facilitate working in remote areas
where the employees can communicate with each other even when situating in different part of
the world.
Disadvantage:
The high usage of digital software for performing classes can negatively hamper the eye site
of the students. In addition to this, it can also motivate students to indulge in UN-ethical
activities which can negatively impact their education career. The attack from hackers is the

biggest risk that the university can be exposed if the security standards are not maintained
properly (Newson, C. and L. Sloman., 2019).
Third option: Spending on E-bike:
In the rapidly evolving era of technology and digitalisation across the globe has created a
demand for using digital technologies for improving the sustainable growth. The introduction of
e-bike incentives schemes encourage and support sustainable development and provide
advantages in terms of reducing the overall negative impacts on the environment. With the help
of electric bikes the carbon emissions can be lower and over pollution can be declined that
creates less harm to the environment. The use of electric engines in electric bikes reduces the
noise pollution and emissions of carbon that improve the air quality and reduces the chances of
illness. By using the electric bikes the pollution caused by the use of fuels releases carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere and creates harmful effects on the overall ecological balance of the
planet. On the other hand there are certain risks that come along with the use of electric vehicles
such as e-bike which are costly and lack sufficient charging stations across the state. There are
lot of pros and cons about the stability and stability of electric bikes in reducing carbon
emissions and declining pollution that are elaborated below.
Advantages:
The cost of maintaining electric bikes is very less and the use of batteries make it more
comfortable and durable to stay for longer lives and give high performance. The electric bike can
provide higher chances of satisfaction and sustainability of the environment as they do not emit
huge amount of carbons and noise that causes pollution and provide smooth experience to the
riders. The use of electric bikes for the people can be less complex because it does not require a
high level of maintenance cost (ZEN Energy., 2018, 17th February 2020). The use of electronic
vehicles can make travelling safer and comfortable for people because it reduces the overall
chances of damaging oneself by over-speeding. The electric bikes can provide long distance
travelling due to its capacities of using electric batteries.
Disadvantages:
The use of e bikes is similarly considered harmful to traditional vehicles, in its initial
manufacturing, because the production of batteries requires extraction of useful minerals and it
causes industrial pollution. Due to the mining of lithium, Cobalt, magnesium and other minerals
for producing the battery increases the chances of pollution. The electric bike is comparatively

smooth but it is much slow as compared to the traditional bikes among which few of the electric
bikes provide the maximum speed of 50-60kmph. The electric bikes require a considerable
amount of time to charge fully as compared to the traditional bikes that are much more effective
in refuelling that makes it difficult for the stakeholders to adopt e-bikes.
Conclusion:
From the above report, it has been analysed that protection of environment is very
important in today's environment as there is rise in global warming conditions. It was also
evaluated that the protective measures can be taken in order to save the environment from the
serious consequences. The report has included the critical evaluation of the options available to
protect the environment. In addition to this, the report has also recommended that investing in
solar panels can be the better option for the university in protecting the environment from
damages.
Recommendation:
After critically evaluating the above options, it has been recommended that UONL
should invest their funds on purchasing solar panels as this will support the university to cut their
electricity cost significantly. In addition to this, this will also minimise the water wastage as well
as reducing the use of fossil fuels. Hence, it can be concluded that investing on buying solar
panels is considered as the most viable option among the other options available.

References:
Books and Journal
Leonard, K. (2019). "Advantages & Disadvantages of a Paperless Office " Retrieved 29th
April, 2019, from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-amp-disadvantages-
paperless-office-40653.html.
Newson, C. and L. Sloman (2019). The Case for a UK Incentive for E-bikes. Transport for
quality of life. London, Bicycle Association.
ZEN Energy. (2018, 17th February 2020). "5 Advantages of Solar Energy on the
Environment." Retrieved 18th May, 2020,
from https://www.zenenergy.com.au/blog/five-advantages-of-solar-energy-on-the-
environment/.