Net zero

Net zero means not adding any emissions to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. To achieve our target of reaching net zero by 2040, ten years ahead of the legal target set by the UK government, the University will need to eliminate, reduce, or mitigate emissions associated with its activities. 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).

Scopes 1 and 2 (directly controlled)

• Mainly buildings and vehicles (owned by the University), including gas, oil, diesel, petrol, refrigerant gases, heat, steam, and electricity use.

Scope 3 (indirectly controlled)

• Mainly humans, including what we buy and use, plus commuting and travel for work/study.

We already monitor and report on our emissions on an annual basis in the University’s annual report and financial statements. This data, plus the impact of associated strategies linked to energy use, travel and transport, purchasing, and water and waste reduction, will be used to help measure progress towards the 2040 target.

In order to achieve net zero, we will be implementing short-term projects and longer-term infrastructure adaptations, which are described in further detail in the Estates Masterplan.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions are mostly within the University's control and that is why they are the main focus of the 2040 decarbonisation target. Achieving the 2040 target presents a number of key challenges, linked to our diverse estate, our energy-intensive research activities and how we currently heat and power the University.

For Scope 1 and 2 emissions that cannot be eliminated, carbon offsetting will need to be considered. However, reducing emissions is the key priority. The first step will be to develop robust principles, aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, on which emissions can and cannot be offset.

Whilst the majority of carbon emissions associated with the University’s activities are not within our direct control (scope 3), it is important to note that these emissions can be influenced through our business decisions and processes.

The University’s carbon inventory baseline has been established from our 2018/19 data, in line with the Standardised Carbon Emissions Reporting Framework published for the HE sector. From this baseline, a subset of activities makes up the University’s net zero baseline (if we pay for it, we count it under net zero): 

• Purchasing and waste: 73,421 tonnes CO2e
• Energy use: 22,249 tonnes CO2e
• Business travel: 8,492 tonnes CO2e
• Other: 452 tonnes CO2e

We have set near-term targets as milestones to the long-term target of reaching net zero by 2040. Further modelling will be carried out to build more detailed emissions projections.

2027/28

• Target reduction from net zero baseline (2018/19): 25%

2032/33

• Target reduction from net zero baseline (2018/19): 39%

2039/40

• Target reduction from net zero baseline (2018/19): 90%

Carbon inventory baseline