Environmental Management
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has a strong commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, prevent pollution and to be an environmentally conscientious organisation.
NOC currently maintains separate Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) certified to ISO 14001; one at Southampton, and one Liverpool. The ISO 14001 certification means that both sites are committed to continual environmental improvement. Targets for both sites encompass a range of different environmental aspects from waste generation and energy use to travel and oil storage.
Through the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) the Centre also holds the Carbon Trust Standard. This adds an additional commitment for the Centre to make year-on-year. The Carbon Footprint of NOC estate (excluding ships) is over 5000 Tonnes CO2e. The equivalent to over 900 standard UK homes.
This page highlights some of the key greening activates across NOC. We recognise that there is a carbon footprint associated with our research. We endeavour to ensure that we operate in the most efficient way possible to minimise this.
If you would like further information on any of the items below please contact the NOC Environment and Energy Advisor, environ@noc.ac.uk
Solar PV
NOC has installed a 117kWp Photo Voltaic array in Southampton. The array consists of 544 solar panels and in 2011/2012 generated over 100MWh of electricity. The array generates enough power over the year to meet the electricity demand of our Southampton workshops on which they are situated.
Energy Monitoring
There are over 150 energy meters across Liverpool and Southampton. These meters record and allow analysis of our gas, water and electricity consumption. The monitoring system is used to detect suspect energy/water use and to validate energy savings from our projects. As the saying goes, ‘you can’t manage what you can’t monitor’.
Waste Management
Waste recycling regimes have been established at both Southampton and Liverpool. Staff and students are encouraged to follow the waste hierarchy and ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. Waste audits occur in Liverpool and Southampton annually. This provides NOC with data on what materials are entering the general waste and helps us forward plan.
Sea Water Cooling
NOC has a unique Sea Water Cooling system in Southampton. In the winter months the dock water is used to indirectly cool the building. The system provides NOC Southampton with approximately 16 weeks of free cooling a year.
Smarter Travel Options
NOC actively encourages staff, students and visitors to the Centre to use public or active transport. Good cycling and walking routes can be found to each site in addition to cycle parking. At Southampton, the Uni-Link bus service links the Centre directly to the airport, railway stations and city centre.
For more information on travel visit the maps and directions page under ‘about us’
Free Air Cooling 
Server rooms can be found in both Southampton and Liverpool. These house powerful computers and require lots of cooling. Thermal images have been used to ensure cooling is effective therefore reducing energy demand. In Southampton, thermal containment curtains have been installed in the server room in addition to a fresh air cooling system. Containment Curtains are now also being installed at Liverpool
Partnership Working
NOC works closely with its delivery partners, University of Liverpool and University of Southampton, to share best practice. NOC is also involved with travel forums in both cities and the Energy Partnership in Southampton. NOC is now also working with local schools in Southampton that are registered on the Eco-Schools scheme.
Recognising Excellence
NOC has been shortlisted for a number of environmental awards including the GreenIT awards and GreenGown Awards. NOC Liverpool is also actively involved in the Green Impact Awards Scheme.
Environmental news
