Our Centre’s Commitment to Sustainability

While the staff are focused on delivering clinical trials, we are also conscious of our own working environment. As such, we are pursuing an award for Office Sustainability in our new building and are committed to promoting sustainable working practices. We strongly believe that sustainability and environmental awareness has to underpin our work at the centre.

The Centre for Dementia Prevention follows the policies set out by the University of Edinburgh Social Responsibility and Sustainability Strategy – in teaching, research, knowledge exchange and across all other operations. The Sustainability guidelines we adhere to encompass a variety of themes - we hope to inspire others to comply with the advice below the same way other centres in the University of Edinburgh have supported us with their work on environmental awareness as we settle into our new building. The Centre for Dementia Prevention is determined to incorporate sustainability into our working practices right from the start and as such we are hugely excited to work towards a Bronze Sustainability Award.

Energy Saving at the Centre for Dementia Prevention

The electricity and gas used to heat and power University buildings are our biggest source of carbon emissions, accounting for 86% of the University’s total carbon footprint. The University has a target to reduce energy use by 10% over the next two years. To achieve our carbon reduction commitments we'll need to lower energy consumption across the University.

• Switch off electronics when not in use. Modern electronic items use a small amount of energy when left on standby. Lights, older devices and laboratory equipment can use much more.
• Switch your computer to its best energy saving mode. Do this by searching for "Power Options" on Windows Supported Desktops. Use Wake-On-LAN to save to save energy when working remotely.
• Report faults with lighting, heating, water and other facilities to the local EBIS Rep. This could include faulty motion sensors, dripping taps and draughty windows.
• Make an Energy Responsibility Plan for your office.
• Share appliances like kettles, fridges and printers with colleagues. Try not to use personal appliances!

More info about about saving energy at the University is available at the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability website.

Waste & Recycling at the Centre for Dementia Prevention

As part of our efforts towards sustainable working practices, one of our aims is to promote and achieve a reduction of waste and materials. This involves recycling of waste responsibly and minimising paper usage and printing. We are devoted to developing a paper-lite unit for clinical trials where we consume the least amount of resources.

• Use the correct bins provided by the University of Edinburgh and discourage staff using personal bins - we acknowledge that getting up from your seat to walk to the bin is also good exercise!
• We use tablets for data collection instead of hard-copies wherever possible. We promote the use of electronic Case Report Forms with our clinical trials and enable our staff to receive training for using technology as much as possible as a more environmentally sustainable option in delivering trials.
• We promote the "Think before you print" maxim. Apparently, the average office worker prints or copies 10,000 sheets of paper each year!
• Our staff print double sided.

For more info on saving paper and sustainability see this website.

Health and Wellbeing at the Centre for Dementia Prevention

The University holds a Gold Healthy Working Lives award, which recognises its commitment to enhancing health and wellbeing in the workplace. What is good for one’s health (being active, for example) is also often a strategy for saving natural resources, so health and wellbeing are also closely linked to environmental sustainability.

• Find out how to be more physically active at work, including JogScotland groups and University sports clubs. Their new Support for Physical Activity programme is designed for staff and students who want to be a bit more active, a bit more often.
• Take advantage of the Chaplaincy's wellbeing classes, including yoga, mindfulness and tai chi.
• Do a display screen equipment risk assessment to ensure your workstation is set up correctly.
• Organise a shared lunch, a volunteering day or a charity fundraiser. The Centre for Dementia Prevention is holding a Bake-Off to create a happy cake filled lunch time break for our staff (with Fairtrade ingredients of course!).

Learn more about the range of services available to University staff, from counselling to occupational health, on the Health and Wellbeing webpage.

Sustainable Travel at the Centre of Dementia Prevention

Practically all modes of travel aside from walking and cycling depend on fossil fuels. This means that the way we choose to travel can have a big impact on the environment. Business travel by staff and students is responsible for 12% of the University’s carbon emissions. Flights contribute about 94% of these emissions, followed by cars, buses, trains and ferries.

• Take the train where possible. University expenses data shows that train journeys were significantly cheaper than air in the last 3 years. Taking the train also emits 83% less Co2 per passenger km than flying. This means rail is often a better value and more sustainable way to travel than air.
• Minimise your flights. Consider video conferencing, using alternative modes and bundling commitments to reduce the number of journeys you have to take by plane.
• Take advantage of support for cyclists. The University operates a Cycle to Work scheme, which enables staff to save at least 30% on the cost of acquiring a bike for cycling to work. Cyclist can also benefit from free training and bike maintenance. (Cyclists and walkers) receive discounts at local shops.
• Explore ways to commute more sustainably, including the University’s University’s interest free transport loan and private Tripshare scheme.
• Use the City Car Club when you need to drive for business. Car club vehicles tend to have lower emissions and it means you can leave your car at home.
• The University has negotiated a 20% discount on the Scottish Executive ticket to London, which includes a complementary upgrade to first class. Yet another reason to take the train!

More info about sustainable travel at the University is available here.

Travelling to the Centre for Dementia Prevention Clinical Research Facility

Centre for Dementia Prevention The University of Edinburgh 9A Bioquarter 9 Little France Road Edinburgh EH16 4UX

Bus

There are eight bus routes to the main hospital site, all of which run a regular service throughout the day from Edinburgh City centre. It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from the city centre to the site. The bus routes are 8, 18, 21, 24, 33, 38, 48 and 49. Shawfair Park & Ride offers a 750 space car park and five-minute bus journey to the site. The Centre for Dementia Prevention is a 5 minute walk from the main hospital site bus stop. Please see blue indicators on map below.

Cycling

You can cycle to the Centre for Dementia Prevention via a network of on and off road cycle routes in Edinburgh. It takes approximately 20 minutes to cycle to Little France from the Central Area cycling at a moderate speed.

Cycle lanes are provided on both sides of Dalkeith Road between Cameron Toll and Little France, and an off-road cycle path connects Little France with Craigmillar and the east of the city.

To find out more about local cycle routes to the centre, you can use the CycleStreets journey planner or the City of Edinburgh Council cycle maps.

By car

The Centre for Dementia prevention is situated two miles from the Sheriffhall Roundabout at the A720 City Bypass, which gives ease of access to the A1 to the east, and M8, M9 and M90 motorways to the west. Edinburgh city centre is three miles north of the Centre for Dementia prevention. Parking is available outside the Centre for Dementia Prevention and needs to be booked in advance. This is highlighted in orange on the map below. Please enter via Little France Road entrance (gate 3 on map).