University aims to become greener

Staff will be challenged to try to get from Reading to Henley without a car

Reading University is holding a "green week" to encourage students, staff and local residents to reduce their carbon footprints.

A number of events will take place, including a lecture on climate change and global food security and another on how to "recycle the unrecyclable".

The five-day event has been organised by the university and student union.

There will also be a car-free day on Thursday when staff are asked to leave their vehicles at home.

Senior staff will then take on the Low Carbon Challenge.

As rowers, cyclists, canoeists and bus users they will try to find out which is the quickest way to travel from central Reading to the University's Greenlands campus in Henley.

During the week local residents can take a guided tour of the trees on the campus and attend lunchtime concerts.

Sinead Brennen, student union president, said: "Student campaigners will be holding stalls and raising awareness of current environmental issues.

"We will also be recruiting student volunteer eco-champions who aim to reduce the carbon emissions in their academic departments over the next year."