Avoiding carbon emissions
Net Zero Targets
- Net Zero by 2040 (all scopes)
Objectives
- Achieve EcoCampus platinum for the whole institution by 2025
- University-owned fleet to be powered by electric by 2025
Carbon emissions – what are scopes?
We label carbon emissions according to whether they are produced directly (such as gas use) or indirectly (such as the energy used in producing something that we buy). Put very simply:
- Scopes 1 and 2 – Mainly buildings - heat and energy use
- Scope 3 – Mainly humans – what we use (such as waste produced) and buy
Measures to reduce regulated energy – energy use individuals can’t control – include:
- Building removal
- Building fabric improvements
- Low carbon building design
- Heat decarbonisation
- Move to renewables
Measures to reduce unregulated energy – energy use individuals have control over (e.g. equipment with a switch) – include:
- Technology – smart buildings
- Behaviour change
Our principal approach to achieve net zero by 2040 is:
Smaller - structure the capital plan around reducing the size of the estate and consolidation of assets (by 2025)
Efficient - decarbonise, invest in building fabric, systems improvement, low and zero carbon technology and behaviour change (by 2029)
Offset - residual emissions (from 2030)
Climate Change teaching
Relevant Research
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability
- Engineering and materials co-host international workshop on SDG7
- Reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels
Our experts
How we are Changemaking
- Staff and student engagement
- Civic University Agreement – Environmental Sustainability theme