Carbon Reduction

The vision for this plan is that the campuses are carbon net zero. Energy is from renewable sources, including solar and wind, with excess energy being exported to the grid.

The University has created a Carbon Reduction Plan for Scopes 1 and 2.  This Carbon Reduction plan as presented, with a limited amount of off-setting, would achieve the objective of Carbon Net Zero by 2030.  The University will continue to work to reduce carbon emissions by all possible means to avoid off-setting.  Key to this carbon reduction plan are the Estates Masterplan and the costings for the work to be done to achieve the reductions in carbon.  The financial consequences of developing the Masterplan and the costs of the additional measures are incorporated into the University’s long-term strategic financial plan.

This plan is lead by:

• Dr Adrian Rowlands, Executive Director of Estates and Commercial Services

• Sally McGill, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Exec and Exec Lead for Sustainability

• Dr Laura Rhodes, Sustainability Engineer

UN SDGs

Targets and progress

Target

Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030

This is a Strategic Priority for the University within the Strategic Plan 2022-27 published in 2022

Progress

Progress status: GREEN

Scope 1 and 2 emissions from gas and electricity consumption of Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London campuses have decreased from 6033 tCO2e in 2017-18 to 4226 tCO2e in 2021-22.

The University is also forecasting to achieve the milestone KPI for 2022/23 of 4056 tCO2e set within the Strategy published in 2022)

Operational priorities for 2023/24

• Exploratory work for a potential switch to the District Heat Network.
• Blackstone Building demoted to storage only
• Exit from Crime Scene House.
• Improvements in performance in other buildings from improved energy management and other efficiencies in buildings (See Energy Management Update)