Arup, a global sustainable development consultancy, has released a comprehensive report and an eight-step decarbonisation plan for universities in the UK
This decarbonisation plan aims to help universities in the UK achieve their net-zero targets. The report, titled ‘From Commitment to Reality: Delivering Ambitious Decarbonisation Targets in the Higher Education Sector,‘ capitalises on Arup’s extensive knowledge of property, sustainability, and decarbonisation.
The education sector is struggling with decarbonisation
The plan provides a structured framework for over 160 universities in the UK. In total, these universities create an annual CO2 emissions footprint of 1.4 million tonnes. These emissions are mostly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels and electricity use.
The education sector faces many challenges as it looks to achieve its ambitious decarbonisation goals, which include addressing indirect scope 3 emissions and surpassing the UK’s 2050 net-zero target by several decades.
Despite universities recognising the importance of decarbonisation and facing increasing pressure from funders, staff, and potential students, the sector is struggling to meet its goals.
Details of the eight-step decarbonisation plan
Arup’s decarbonisation plan outlines a pathway to ensure universities can meet their targets. There are eight steps for successful delivery:
- Define and own the level of ambition and understand who is going to be responsible for the delivery of the commitment.
- Understand where key emissions sources are to ensure efforts to decarbonise are targeted within the right areas of the university.
- Plan what can be realistically achieved in terms of targets and milestones.
- Prioritise the most important actions by considering the order they should be completed and where the biggest impact can be achieved for the lowest cost.
- Collaborate with local, national and international stakeholders to deliver alongside decarbonisation aims.
- Outline finances clearly, especially around the ‘cost of decarbonising’ vs ‘not decarbonising.’
- Implement detailed programmes of action and establish a clear understanding of who is doing what, with perseverance to see it through.
- Monitor what is and what is not working to ensure you stay agile in working towards your overarching goal.
“Many higher education institutions, as large estate portfolio owners, are in a unique position to lead the charge in meeting the UK’s net-zero targets,” said Tim Whitley, director of decarbonisation and sustainability at Arup.
“Our eight-step approach should act as a vital roadmap, providing higher education institutions with the necessary impetus to make their ambitions a reality and a focus on where to prioritise. Ultimately, the end goal is addressing the pressing issues facing the sector today while mitigating against the challenges of tomorrow,” he concluded.
