United Kingdom
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Ellen Potter
Consultant
Project overview
Can a university set the pace for a region’s transition to net zero?
The University of Sheffield has set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its estate by 2035, with an interim goal of reducing emissions by more than 80% by 2030.
This places the university ahead of the UK Government’s 2050 goal and strengthens its leadership across the Sheffield City Region.
The programme uses an innovative fuel-first approach, prioritising the removal of fossil fuels and investment in low-carbon heat and renewable generation. This includes new low-carbon heat networks, major onsite renewables, such as solar PV, and opportunities for private wire connections.
The EDP will build upon the university’s progress, having already reduced Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% since 2018-19. The programme has also identified a key investment of £30mn to decarbonise one of the university’s major locations – which will deliver more than an 80% reduction in carbon emissions.
Outside of the city campus, the team is also supporting the university. They’re helping to deliver industry-leading decarbonisation across its Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre facilities, striving for carbon and energy neutrality, supported by microgrid technologies and innovative energy systems.
Building a low-carbon campus
Our sustainability team’s supporting the university to model, design and deliver the interventions needed to achieve net-zero scope one and two emissions. From strategic planning to programme delivery, we’re providing the technical guidance needed to maximise carbon savings and value for investment.
Using a bespoke targeted area-based approach, we identified that 86% of emissions originate from just one-third of the university estate.
Targeting decarbonisation of these buildings enables carbon savings of 12,815 tCO₂e per year, equivalent to nearly 10,000 one-way flights from London to New York.
Creating a sustainable blueprint for decarbonisation
The EDP will bring the university community together, including staff, students and partners, to build a shared understanding of the transition to net zero.
Through the university's Environmental Sustainability Strategy, developed with academic and professional stakeholders, the programme supports behaviour change and strengthens the university’s role as a leader in climate action.
Through strategic investment, innovative energy solutions and community engagement, the University of Sheffield hopes to create a clear and practical model for sustainable estate regeneration that can be adopted across the higher education sector.
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