Delivery principles

How we will deliver the University Climate Action Plan.

We will deliver the UCAP through the following overarching principles: 

  • Evidence-led action: We will base our actions on evidence-based solutions and align with the latest climate science and best practice. 
  • Reduce first: We will prioritise cutting emissions at source. 
  • Carbon removals as a last resort: We will use carbon removals (or ‘offsetting’) only where emissions cannot be avoided.  
  • Whole-University approach: We will embed climate action across the University, making it part of everyday decision-making rather than the responsibility of a single team.  
  • Open and accountable: We will track progress, report transparently and hold ourselves accountable for delivery (see ‘Monitoring and reporting our impact’). 
  • Fair and inclusive: We will ensure our actions are fair and inclusive, supporting staff, students, and communities through the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient future. 
  • Leadership and collaboration: We will act as leaders across the sector, the city, and our global networks, and collaborate to encourage innovation to drive wider change.  

We will reduce our Scope 1 emissions through the following principles:  

  • Maintenance: We will ensure all maintenance activities consider how to reduce gas and energy consumption.  
  • Smart energy management systems: We will reinvigorate and continue energy efficiency programmes involving the use of smart metering and building management systems . 
  • Strategic gas removal: We will ensure total gas removal is the first choice at gas asset life end/failure  and consider district heat connectivity and waste heat reuse. Implement renewable energy backup systems. 

We will reduce our Scope 2 emissions through the following principles:  

  • Energy transition: We will strategically transition from fossil fuel use on site to low-carbon electric alternatives wherever possible . 
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): We will continue to work with local and national utility suppliers (supported by The Energy Consortium) to increase the share of renewable energy supplied directly and indirectly . 
  • On-site energy: We will invest in on-site renewable energy generation where it is feasible, affordable and delivers value over its lifetime. 

We will reduce our Scope 3 emissions through the following principles:  

  • Reduce consumption: We will prioritise opportunities for avoiding new purchases and reducing travel before switching to lower-carbon alternatives. 
  • Whole footprint approach: We will take action across all activities that contribute to our emissions, not just the largest sources, but also those with wider societal benefits, such as sustainable food and active travel. 
  • Prioritise efficiency: We will focus on actions that have the greatest potential for reducing emissions with the lowest cost (or biggest saving) to the University.  
  • Act despite uncertainty: We will seek solutions even where full data is not yet available or support is unclear, using expert judgment and building evidence for change during a phased approach.   

 

 

Go back to the University Climate Action Plan.