Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges faced today. After the passage of the Climate Change Act in 2019, many universities set themselves challenging emissions reductions targets as part of efforts to reach carbon net zero ahead of the government’s target of 2050. My institution, the University of Northampton, is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Carbon usage is linked explicitly to the university estate. The number of buildings, their age and condition, geographical distribution and energy procurement policies and practices (carbon offsetting), vary considerably across the sector.
The University of Northampton makes an interesting case study, having tracked our emissions across a 15-year period that includes a transition to a completely new estate (Waterside Campus), which was designed with reducing the university’s environmental impact in mind.
Energy reduction was a driving principle through the campus’ design and construction. We deliberately chose low embodied carbon materials with high resilience and durability and combined them with smart energy monitoring software and lighting solutions. On-site energy production is also a major benefit, and the installation of a 1- megawatt biomass boiler provides low carbon heat energy and generates 80% of the heat requirements at Waterside. Procurement played an important role too, with local materials sourcing in the supply chain a purposeful choice.
Prior to the move our yearly average energy consumption (combined gas and electricity) was c. 27,000 megawatt hours, while our average emissions were 7,703 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
Since moving to Waterside, our average emissions have reduced by nearly 36%, or 3,000 tonnes to a new baseline of 4,734 tonnes a year.
But our work won’t stop there. Going forward, our net zero by 2030 plan will prioritise low carbon energy through a mix of onsite renewable energy generation and low carbon technology. We will continue to invest in green energy tariffs for both gas and electricity, further optimise our biomass boiler, and install 2,000 square metres of solar panels and air sourced heat pumps at our halls of residence.
We will also extend and link up with existing heat networks in Northampton, working in partnership with Northampton General Hospital and the Local Authority.
Digital technology is also important. The Waterside campus is one of the largest Cisco systems Wide Area Network (SD WAN) in the UK. Our space data, energy consumption data and building management systems are highly integrated.
Finally, post-Covid, new opportunities exist for improved space utilisation and agile working, including sustainable travel options and a move to 80% electric fleet vehicles by 2030. Other technologies under investigation include battery storage, an on-site anaerobic digestion plant and hydrogen fuel technology
Universities UK is rightly keen to promote the university sector’s commitment to emissions reductions, and desire for consistent and transparent reporting. Experience from elsewhere in the built environment sector suggests a consistent approach to measuring, monitoring, reporting, which considers the diverse nature of institutions and their complexity, is fundamental to success. Other essential factors linked intimately to climate are the requirement to maintain and increase biodiversity and the (unintended) potential for digital technologies and online delivery to add to institutional carbon footprints.
The government will be looking towards universities to provide solutions that enable the UK to meet its commitments to climate action and net zero targets. By working together and showing strong public commitment to zero carbon now, we can fend off potential policy measures downstream that might not be in the sectors best interests.
