Meet Oluwatobi Ajala, Queen Mary’s Sustainability and Energy Manager in the Sustainability team. In their profile, they tell us about Sustainability Week, give their top tips on how to be more sustainable, and about how to get involved in the canal clean up and allotment activities.
I have worked at Queen Mary since January 2022. Nearly 2 years now, almost feels like yesterday!
I am responsible for managing and reporting on the University’s energy consumption and use. This includes managing projects aimed at energy efficiency and net zero. I work with different teams and stakeholders including engineers, project managers, accounting and finance staff and all other staff and students. An important part of my role is student and staff engagement as the end users are just as responsible as our energy systems.
Sustainability week is the opportunity to bring awareness to a lot of issues and opportunities we face at Queen Mary. It a chance to get involved and see how our actions/inactions affect sustainability here on campus. I am working with the rest of the sustainability team to organise different activities around this. For example, I am specifically organising an energy tour to see the different projects and systems going on which include solar PV, heat pumps, combined heat and power systems, air handling units and building management systems.
Our 2030 Strategy is looking to create a truly inclusive environment and building on our cherished cultural diversity. This cannot be achieved without energy efficiency and sustainability. I am working to make sure our energy systems are as efficient as possible while staff and students have the knowledge and awareness to efficiently use our assets, minimizing waste.
It is really very simple. Take personal responsibility for your action. Behave as if it were your responsibility. If you finish using an equipment, make sure to turn it off. Turn off light switches, heaters, taps etc. I would encourage you to also eat less meat and try to walk and cycle as much as possible.
Ah that’s a good one. The canal! Even though I like the curve as well. I can’t seem to ignore the aroma of the food coming from there!
I love the outdoors, so I love hiking. I play football and box from time to time. I also love renaissance art and architecture.
Yes, please look out for canal clean up and allotment activities! Email us on sustainability@qmul.ac.uk to be kept up to date. Depending on whether you are staff or students there are different groups to join. All you need to do is get in contact with us!