_KEY RECOMMENDATIONS for consideration by the University's Environmental Strategy Committee
- Commit to a specific, ambitious carbon intensity target to reduce the
University’s use of fossil fuels, with targets reflecting up-to-date climate science. For example, the University could
aim for a carbon intensity of 100gCO2(e)/kWh of energy used by 2030, in
line with the targets set by the UK Committee for Climate Change in
2008. We envisage that this would be in addition to the existing target (reduce emissions by 34% by 2020 cf. 1990 levels)
- Recognise that serious action on climate change requires increased investment now, and explicitly acknowledge that to reach the existing (and proposed) carbon reduction target(s) both energy efficiency and renewable generation strategies will be required. To demonstrate their commitment to climate change, the University should adopt a ‘cost-effective’ policy, rather than a ‘cost-neutral’ approach towards renewable energy.
- Coordinate and provide funding for thorough research into alternative renewable options for the University, to identify cost-effective solutions that will achieve the existing carbon reduction target and the proposed carbon intensity target and to calculate the minimum cost required to implement these solutions.
- Increase engagement and awareness of students and staff regarding steps the
University is taking to reduce its carbon emissions as well as ways they can get involved, including a
transparent account of the carbon reductions achievable with the current
carbon management budget.
A full copy of the report we submitted to the Environmental Strategy Committee in January 2012 can be downloaded here.
We submitted a second report to the ESC in September 2012, which explains our current updated targets and recommendations.