Climate Plan in action

Our Climate Plan is delivered through a range of initiatives that reduce emissions, support climate resilience and embed sustainability throughout the University. Explore the key areas where we are taking action and creating impact.

Delivering net zero

We are reducing emissions across our estate, travel, procurement and resource use through practical action and long-term investment.

Illustration of three work people assessing a building From improving energy efficiency and transitioning to cleaner energy sources to working with suppliers and partners, this principle focuses on turning our climate commitments into measurable progress.

Recent activity includes the installation of electric heat pumps at the Brownlee Centre, the launch of our Net Zero Supply Chain and Resources Delivery Plan to address scope 3 emissions, and the continuation of annual Easter and Christmas shutdowns to reduce campus energy consumption. Together, these initiatives are helping us make sustained progress towards our net zero ambitions while creating a more resilient and sustainable campus

Achieving sustainable travel

We are making it easier for staff, students and visitors to choose sustainable travel options and reduce the environmental impact of journeys to, from and around campus.

Illustration of Brownlee Centre with electric car charging points

Through helping deliver the University's Sustainable Travel Plan, we are making it easier for staff, students and visitors to choose sustainable travel options and reduce the environmental impact of journeys to, from and around campus.

Our Climate Plan includes emissions reductions ambitions on travel. Electric vehicles now make up 35% of the University's vehicle fleet, with a further 7% comprising hybrid vehicles. All journeys undertaken on University business contribute to our carbon footprint. We encourage all staff to follow the travel hierarchy when making travel decisions and prioritise lower-carbon travel options where appropriate.

Working with partners across Leeds, we are promoting walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport and electric vehicle use to help create a healthier, better-connected and lower-carbon campus community. By understanding travel behaviours and investing in sustainable alternatives, we are reducing transport-related emissions while supporting healthier ways of living, studying and working.

Colleagues, students and visitors can find information on sustainable travel options including walking, wheeling, cycling facilities and the University Bike Hub, through Our Sustainable Campus. Staff can also access additional guidance and resources through the Sustainable Travel Resource Hub and on the Business Travel Resource Hub.

Providing a sustainable curriculum

We are embedding sustainability across the student experience to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to address environmental and societal challenges. Through our Leeds Sustainable Curriculum framework, we are embedding Education for Sustainable Development across teaching and learning, ensuring all students have opportunities to engage with sustainability as part of their studies, regardless of discipline.

Illustration of people with thought bubbles, representing students thinking and discussing ideas around their studies

Students have opportunities to explore sustainability within their chosen subject while engaging with broader global issues such as climate change, social justice and sustainable development. Our approach connects learning with real-world challenges, enabling students to apply their knowledge through research, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration and practical projects, including opportunities through initiatives such as Leeds Living Lab.

By integrating sustainability into teaching and learning across the University, and aligning our work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we aim to prepare graduates to create positive change in their future careers, communities and industries.

Staff can find further guidance, case studies and resources through the Sustainable Curriculum Research Hub. Prospective and current students can explore how Sustainable Curriculum supports learning and development and Leeds.

Shaping institutional decision making

We are embedding sustainability into the way decisions are made across the University.

Illustration of people at a cross roads making a decision on what route to take

By integrating sustainability considerations into existing governance and decision-making processes, we are ensuring that environmental and social impacts are considered alongside financial, operational and strategic priorities. This approach helps align everyday decisions with our long-term climate ambitions and creates lasting organisational change.

Supporting a net zero city

We are using our expertise, partnerships and institutional leadership to support climate action in Leeds and beyond.

Illustration of a city skyline The Supporting a Net Zero City principle aims to build on our position as an anchor institution in the City of Leeds by connecting University expertise and research to our communities, neighbours and civic partners across the city and beyond.

Building on University research that pioneered the first climate commission in Leeds in 2017, the principle provides investment into both Leeds Climate Commission and the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission to grow their scope and ambition for place-based climate action.

Closer to home, the principle supports the expansion of the Sustainability Service's Living Lab and Positive Impact Partnership programmes to deliver greater impact for our communities and civic partners by developing creative solutions to real world challenges.

Enabling responsible investment

We are ensuring that our investment and banking activities support our values and long-term sustainability ambitions.

Illustration of person stood at flip chart Through responsible investment principles and ethical decision-making, we seek to balance financial performance with positive environmental and social outcomes.

We have implemented our Socially Responsible Inv estment Policy and are developing a comprehensive Ethical Investment and Banking Policy to ensure our financial activities continue to support a sustainable future for current and future generations

Reorienting research and teaching

We are creating climate solutions on a local, national and international scale. This is through our global connections, world-leading research activity, and Leeds Living Lab.

Illustration of building showing underground thermal energy usage We are moving our research and teaching away from the fossil fuel sector unless it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions or the transition to a low carbon future. We are collaborating with our colleagues to make sure this is done in a way that does not impact the quality of our research or teaching.

Reorienting research

To reorient its world-leading expertise in subsurface characterisation, resource exploration and geoengineering away from an oil and gas focus, the University rebranded Petroleum Leeds as Geosolutions Leeds in October 2020.

Since then, we have initiated new research projects focusing on geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen storage, nuclear waste, and critical minerals. Geosolutions Leeds has also led the set-up of Joint Industry Projects, which include a new project focused on offshore wind, with researchers helping to reduce risk and costs through improved siting of wind farms and turbines.

In early 2024, the University began exploring the potential to harness geothermal energy to heat and cool campus buildings. Before this project, the potential of ground-source heat beneath the campus and across Leeds was largely unknown. Drilling the boreholes has provided valuable insights, and we are working with Leeds City Council to see how this approach can be rolled out across the region.

Reorienting teaching

We have also reviewed our curriculum to ensure we’re training the next generation of geoscientists, engineers, and environmental and social scientists to accelerate the delivery of low-carbon solutions.

In 2023, we ended our MEng and BEng Petroleum Engineering undergraduate programmes and developed new modules. The new programmes benefit from the integration of new relationships developed as part of the Geothermal Campus project to bring real-time data and novel teaching methods and resources into the programme.

Just Transition

What is a just transition in the context of the Climate Plan?

A just transition means moving to low carbon societies in ways which are fair, inclusive and do not hurt vulnerable or less powerful groups. In the context of the University Climate Plan this means supporting climate positive changes ensuring that the needs and interests of different groups are considered, both on campus and beyond the University.

Why is it important?

Evidence tells us that we can only successfully transition from current carbon intensive and high emissions societies to climate friendly alternatives by engaging people, and being fair and inclusive. The University is modelling this approach, seeking to ensure a wide sense of ownership of the Climate Plan, and to be an exemplar of good practice.

What does the Just Transition Taskforce do?

Justice issues are relevant to the teams involved in delivering the Climate Plan and the Just Transitions Taskforce (JTT) supports this work in various ways. Justice Champions sit on both the Taskforce and the Climate Plan teams, helping embed justice thinking across the Plan and acting as a conduit in exchanging knowledge. Our wider JTT members offer additional expert guidance informed by their University roles. Our staff and student reps ensure we reach diverse groups and that we understand and engage with different views. We run events, gather expert input and support University-wide engagement with climate justice and the Climate Plan. We are also working to evaluate how, as a University, we embed justice in our climate policies and practices.