Reducing carbon emissions

Carbon reduction strategy for HE in England

With Universities UK (UUK) and GuildHE, we have published a strategy for carbon reduction in English higher education following feedback received through consultation on a carbon reduction target and strategy.

This strategy comprises:

• sector-level targets for carbon reduction that is in line with UK targets
• a requirement for institutions to set their own targets and develop carbon-management plans
• a commitment from institutions to achieve improvements through actions that are appropriate for their institution, recognising the diversity of the sector
• support from HEFCE, UUK and GuildHE for institutions to achieve carbon reductions
• funding incentives (in particular we have linked capital funding to performance against carbon management plans)
• plans for annual monitoring and reporting on progress against the sector-level targets
• a method of regularly evaluating the approach and taking action to learn from progress to date.

Activities in the area of carbon reduction

As part of our commitment to help the sector reduce carbon emissions:

• We have undertaken work to assist in measuring scope 3 carbon emissions.
• The Revolving Green Fund (RGF) provides recoverable grants to institutions for projects that reduce their emissions. A second round of the RGF (RGF2) will be launched in summer 2011.
• We have published good practice guidance on producing carbon reduction strategies, targets and associated carbon management plans.
• We commissioned a report to estimate carbon dioxide emission baselines for each HEI that we fund. The baselines were provided to help institutions make submissions to the second Capital Investment Framework. HEIs should however satisfy themselves that the estimates are reasonably accurate and it is open to HEIs to use alternative data to calculate their baselines if they believe this would be more accurate.

A set of frequently asked questions on carbon emissions is available.

Carbon reduction targets for institutions

At the beginning of 2011 institutions were asked to provide carbon data as part of their submission for the Capital Investment Framework 2. We are now publishing this data as part of our commitment for transparency consistent with the Environmental Information Regulations.

This data included their carbon reduction target to be achieved by 2020 against a 2005 baseline which will contribute to the sector target of a 43 per cent reduction over the same period. Institutional targets are not required to be the same as the sector target because it is recognised that each institution will be able to make a different contribution to the target, and that carbon emissions will vary according to several factors.

For example:

• the mix of subjects and teaching and research
• some institutions made significant reductions prior to 2005
• those institutions that currently occupy energy-inefficient buildings or who are relocating to energy-efficient buildings will have greater opportunities to make reductions than others
• opportunities for the generation of onsite renewable energy vary between institutions
• the majority of emissions are related to the occupation of buildings, and some institutions have more potential than others to rationalise space use
• there are particular challenges from reducing carbon emissions in historic buildings
• in some cases the assumptions behind the targets (for example on the de-carbonisation of grid electricity) will vary.

The collective impact of institutional targets is a 38 per cent reduction between 2005 and 2020. This is slightly lower than the sector-level target, but demonstrates the commitment of the sector to reducing emissions. We will continue to promote and support carbon reduction through implementing the carbon reduction strategy and the Revolving Green Fund 2.

Performance against the sector level target will be published annually using data collected through the Estates Management Statistics.

Prior to publication institutions were given an opportunity to check their data and to provide a short contextual statement.

Background

The 2008 grant letter from the Secretary of State contained specific requirements relating to climate change. It stated that:

'...while higher education institutions have made some progress in reducing their carbon emissions, more needs to be done if the 2050 commitment to reduce emissions by 60% is to be achieved. I expect HEFCE to work with the sector to ensure these targets are met. Over the spending review, all institutions in receipt of capital funding should have plans to reduce carbon emissions, and performance against these plans should be a factor in future capital allocations.'

Circular letter 09/2008 notified institutions of this forthcoming requirement and advised them to consider energy performance and efficiency when determining how capital funding is applied. Our 2009 grant letter increased the target for reducing carbon emissions to 80 per cent by 2050 in line with revised government targets.

Our plans for meeting the grant letter requirement were set out in our response to the Secretary of State.

Research report

A research report into a carbon reduction target and strategy for higher education in England informed the consultation.

• Summary of the written responses to the consultation on a carbon strategy
• Consultation seminar report and details

Page last updated 25 June 2012