University of Northampton: Net Zero Carbon by 2030
Victoria Blake & Nick Petford, University of Northampton, UK
Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges faced today. In 2019 the UK government passed legislation under the Climate Change Act for the UK to become net carbon zero on all greenhouse gasses (GHGs) by 2050. Following this, many organisations have responded by setting themselves challenging targets. In particular, Universities UK, the Association of Colleges, the Environmental Association Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and Guild HE have partnered to establish a Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education. A key goal is to reduce Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions to net zero by 2030. To help promote this challenge widely across the sector, and with an eye to COP26, UUK have set up a Climate Task and Finish Group comprising 12 Vice Chancellors from across the sector, chaired by Professor Judith Petts, VC at the University of Plymouth. The Group will strengthen the collective voice of UUK members and help develop a policy position on climate change.
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. As such, a key part of this work is to showcase the ambitious work already done by universities and colleges, along with a supporting evidence base with meaningful benchmarks.
University of Northampton Case Study
The University of Northampton makes an interesting case study as we can compare emissions across a 15-year period that includes the transition to a completely new estate (Waterside Campus), designed with reducing its environmental impact in mind. The analysis below is broken down into three time periods — (1) 2005 (when we became a University) to the opening of Waterside in August 2018, (2) the three-year period to 2020/21, and (3) projections to 2030.
Our 2017–2020 Carbon Management Plan exceeded our three-year carbon reduction target of 30% (approximately 3,000 tonnes) by 9%. This significant result is due entirely to the construction of Waterside campus (Fig. 1). Prior to the move our yearly average energy consumption (combined gas and electricity) was c. 27,000 MWh. Average emissions over the same period where 7703 tonnes CO2/year, with a cumulative total of 100,000 tonnes. For comparison, the UK (2017) average is 5.8t per person, equivalent to c.17,000 students over the 13-year period.
Post Waterside, energy reduction comes primarily from design and construction. For example, we deliberately chose low embodied carbon materials with high resilience and durability, combined with smart energy monitoring software and lighting solutions. Local (on-site) energy production is also a major benefit. The installation of the 1MW biomass boiler provides low carbon heat energy, generating 80% of the heat requirements at Waterside. Procurement played an important role too, with local materials sourcing in the supply chain a purposeful choice.
Net Zero by 2030
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. It will include continued investment in green energy tariffs for both gas and electricity, optimisation of our biomass boiler, solar PV panels on our halls of residence at Waterside (roughly 2000 m2), and air sourced heat pumps. The trajectory, mapping out historical emissions and future energy mix, is shown in Fig 2. 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 will also play a role. 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.
Towards COP26
UUK is rightly keen to make a strong impression at the UK-hosted COP26, in November 2021. In terms of resources to help others in this transition, the Climate Action Toolkit provides a consistent and equitable approach for sector. 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 on-line 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.
