Energy and carbon
The Sustainability Team, via the Head of Sustainability and the Energy and Carbon Manager, are directly responsible for overseeing the suite of carbon reduction programmes at UEL.
Collectively, our internal partners like Projects and Estates Development Team, Maintenance, Facilities, Academic departments and researcher teams work together for decarbonisation projects via our Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan. We have external partnerships like Siemens and TB+A that work with us to deliver the Net Zero Carbon by 2030 target.
Our targets and plans
We aim to become a net zero carbon institution by 2030 and reduce our absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030.
These targets and our approach to achieving them are set out in our Environmental Sustainability Policy, which was co-created with UEL’s Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Our actions and progress
Our Action Plan outlines the steps we are taking to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
We continue to improve energy efficiency across our campuses and report progress annually through our Annual Sustainability Report.
In 2023–24, we launched a major decarbonisation programme, including:
- upgrading campus lighting to LED technology
- installing 3,000 additional solar panels across our buildings
These projects are designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions from electricity use.
We also invest in energy-efficient equipment and encourage sustainable behaviours through initiatives such as our Sustainability Champions programme, including within teaching and research laboratories.
Alongside improving efficiency, we are decarbonising heating systems through air source heat pumps and exploring further opportunities to expand solar energy generation across our estate.
Read more about our Living Lab project with Siemens
Our journey so far
Progress against our carbon and energy targets is published in our Annual Sustainability Report.
Our emissions reductions have been achieved through continued improvements in energy efficiency and the ongoing decarbonisation of the UK electricity grid.
- Scope 1 refers to the direct emissions we produce ourselves, including from our gas and vehicle fleet.
- Scope 2 refers to the electricity that we purchase.
- To reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions, we need to decarbonise our energy usage, which will include building fabric improvements, increasing energy efficiency, generating renewable energy, phasing out gas and transitioning to electric vehicles.
- We have partnered with Siemens to help us reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions - read more about our Siemens Partnership.
Our combined Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint
| Year | Total emissions Scope 1 and Scope 2 (tonnes CO2e) | Total Scope 3(Tonnes CO2e) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 4,493 | |
| 2019-20 | 3,908 | |
| 2020-21 | 5,046 | |
| 2021-22 | 4,584 | |
| 2022-23 | 4,504 | 63,489 |
| 2023-24 | 3,940.7 | 86,453 |
| 2024-25 | 3,607.69 | 77,956 |
Scope 3 refers to all the emissions relating to our operations - everything we buy, everything we build, all our travel, our waste and water, and much more. Since everything we do or buy or use has an associated footprint, thus, decarbonising our scope 3 emissions requires a radical shift in the way we operate as a university and a community of 20k+ students and 1k+ staff. Currently, we are working to develop a detailed plan on how to rapidly quantify and reduce our Scope 3 emissions.
Scope 3 emissions
| Year | Scope 3 Emissions (tCO2e) |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 63,489 |
| 2023-24 | 86,453 |
We continually refine our calculation methodologies for Scope 1, 2, and 3 on a year-on-year basis, depending on the types and granularity of data received from our suppliers.
Even after we reduce our emissions as much as possible, there will still be a small leftover carbon footprint from unavoidable activities. These leftover emissions can be squared in two ways – offsetting or sequestering. While some organisations eliminate residual emissions by ‘offsetting', i.e., paying someone else to reduce their emissions too. Others eliminate this by 'sequestering', i.e., investing in certified carbon removal projects. A detailed plan for eliminating residual emissions will come up in the coming years.