Approach

The UCC Biodiversity Action Plan (2018-2023) has committed to the conservation of existing bat roots on campus and the enhancement of foraging habitats through a number of actions. To minimise the effects of artificial lighting Buildings & Estates carried out cost benefit analysis and replaced thirty two 150 watt fixtures mounted on 5 metre poles with thirty two Disano 3290 64 watt lights. Each of these fixtures is fitted with a motion sensor. The project was successfully completed in September 2019 at a cost of €13,937 for the car park installation.

Outcomes

• Annual Cost Savings of €2,543
• 13,284 kWh of electricity saved per year
• Improved habitat for native Irish bats

Key Learnings

• Actions identified in the UCC Biodiversity Action plan were put into practice which led to an improved habitat for the native species of Irish bat that populate the UCC campus.
• Through the collaboration of Buildings and Estates and the Green Campus UCC were able to deliver significant savings in both cost and energy.