Best practices for rational consumption

Action 1: Turn off your computer at the end of the day

When we leave the workplace, we should turn off our computers and their screens. During breaks of more than 15 minutes, switching off the screen also saves money. In fact, a computer on standby uses 20% to 40% of the equivalent of its power consumption on the run*.

• More details here

Action 2: Turn off the light when leaving a room

Lighting accounts for 7% of a university's electricity consumption. An (all too often neglected) automatism that can lead to substantial savings? Turn off the lights when you leave a room!

• More information

Action 3: Reduce the use of video during videoconferences

Video is responsible for 96% of the carbon emissions associated with online meetings. Turning off your camera therefore means saving the lion's share of the emissions associated with these meetings*. For economical meetings, let's make do with voice, limiting (where possible) images and screen sharing.

• Back in figures

Action 4: Sort, delete and archive emails

The impact of sending an e-mail depends on :

• Server storage time
• The weight of attachments: compressed files, images and low-definition PDFs are preferable where possible. Where possible, we prefer links to hosted sources (e.g. AMUbox).
• The number of recipients (target recipients and limit bulk mailings).

There are several options for rational use of e-mail (depending on your organization):

• Delete unnecessary messages (advertising, notifications, etc.)
• Immediately process messages requiring a short reply.
• Archive messages that require no action on your part, but are linked to a project follow-up, in a folder at .
• Create folders to classify e-mails you wish to keep by theme/project

Or keep just a few folders, such as " Urgent ", " In progress ", " Follow-up " and " Archives ".

E-mail signatures: choose a low-resolution image containing the signature text and logo. Of course, the least impactful email signature is still text (without logo).

Action 5: Use bookmarks for internet searches

Nearly 93% of all Internet traffic comes from search engines. Let's avoid over-consumption of energy by bookmarking regularly visited sites or typing in their URLs. On Mozilla :

1. Go to the page you want to bookmark.
2. Click on the star at the end of the address bar.
3. You can change the Name of your bookmark.
4. Select a location (Folder) for your bookmark, e.g. Personal bar.
5. Click on Save.

You can also promote more responsible search engines, such as Ecosia.

Action 6: Detect and reduce draughts according to the season

In winter, detecting and reducing draughts in a heated building will reduce energy consumption. This means pointing out poorly sealed window joints and closing unoccupied office doors. 

In summer, to keep offices cool without overtaxing the air-conditioning units, let's encourage draughts (especially in the morning and evening) to evacuate accumulated hot air! Of course, to prevent heat from entering the room, close windows and blinds during the day.

Action 7: Use air conditioning sparingly

Air conditioning is not always necessary everywhere. Simple gestures can often help keep your home cooler:

• Open windows in the morning and close them when the outside temperature rises;
• Use solar protection;
• Use fans, which consume less energy.

For staff with air-conditioning, it's best to use it sparingly. For example, switching from a set temperature of 22°C to 27°C can halve energy consumption. For another example, turning on the air-conditioning at 30°C outdoors instead of 27°C cuts energy consumption by a factor of 3.

AMU therefore recommends the following ecogestures:

• Don't set your air-conditioning temperature below 26°C (reduces energy consumption + reduces thermal shock).
• Do not exceed a temperature difference of 4°C between indoors and outdoors, to avoid thermal shock.
• Of course, keep windows closed during the day and switch off the air conditioning when you leave
   

Action 8: in winter, opt for a heating setting of 19°.

AMU's sobriety plan calls for a set temperature of 19°, in buildings where this is technically feasible. 1℃ less heating means 7% savings on consumption 
During the heating season, if you can, turn down the radiators, especially before the weekend, and close the shutters, blinds or curtains to reduce heat loss (by up to 60%!).
 

Action 9: Think about carpooling for trips with the Karos app

Carpooling is a simple and profitable idea! Thanks to the university and Karos, you can now take advantage of numerous benefits, whether you're a staff member or a student. For the driver, get paid a minimum of €2 per passenger. Passengers benefit from 2 free rides per day. For more information, click here

1. How to register: Download the Karos car-sharing application or go to www.karos.fr
   Register and fill in your profile. Carpooling made easy

Useful link: An ADEME guide to being eco-responsible at the office

Action 10 - Opt for a soft mode of transport

The AMU 2022 greenhouse gas emissions report (BEGES) shows that 68% of AMU's emissions in 2021 are linked to staff and student travel. Mobility is therefore a major lever for reducing the establishment's footprint. To this end, AMU encourages the use of soft modes of transport: walking, cycling, scootering, public transport, etc. 
Staff using these modes of transport are also eligible for the sustainable mobility package, a financial support scheme for staff commuting to and from work.