Delivering Net Zero

A key principle of the University’s Climate Plan is ‘delivering net zero’, which sets out our shared ambition to significantly reduce our impact on climate change.

We are investing in a programme to future-proof our estate, reduce energy use and transition to clean energy sources. Significant progress has already been made on major infrastructure projects and energy efficiency initiatives.

In collaboration with suppliers, partners and colleagues, we are also building on our strong track record to address the impact of our supply chain and resource use. We are also exploring options to further support nature recovery, building on initiatives such as the development of Gair Wood in North Leeds.

Our interim 2030 target includes emissions from the fuel and energy used across our estate, including University operated residential accommodation, as well as emissions associated with business travel and commuting by staff and students. The baseline figure for this core carbon footprint is just over 65,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e).

Emissions from our wider supply chain and resource use make up around three quarters of our carbon footprint. Our plan to tackle these sets engagement and alignment targets around improving measurement, embedding sustainable procurement and resource use across the University, and supporting our suppliers and partners to deliver their own net zero transitions. Together these targets aim to support a 90% reduction in supply chain emissions by 2050 compared with a 2023/24 baseline, with a 25% interim emission reduction ambition for 2030.

Our long-term science aligned target will see us reach full net zero by or before 2050, across all emissions scopes.

Our pathway and targets are under regular review in collaboration with the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures to ensure they remain both credible and deliverable, respond to the changing external environment, and embrace new opportunities.

The way we heat and power our buildings and estate is a core focus of our pathway to net zero. It will see us update our infrastructure to reduce the amount of energy we need, as well as decarbonising our sources of energy by investing in the generation of renewable energy. Our urban campus and many listed buildings restrict our ability to generate significant quantities of renewable energy on campus, so the majority of energy will need to be generated off site.

Our Net Zero Delivery Plan sets out how we will address the emissions associated with our estate, both through key infrastructure projects and through programmes of work that support energy demand reduction across our operations.

Alongside this work will continue to research new solutions through Living Labs that tackle emissions reductions as well as working to reduce travel emissions through the Sustainable Travel principle.

The Net Zero Project Board provides oversight for the delivery of the net zero principle. It is chaired by Rachel Brealey, the University’s Chief Operating Officer and Net Zero Sponsor.

The Project Board is supported by two groups:

• Net Zero Capital Oversight, responsible for the construction of capital and infrastructure projects
• Net Zero Strategy, Energy and Behaviour Oversight, responsible shaping a coordinated net zero and energy strategy.

Further working groups are responsible for delivery within key areas of the principle including Scope 3 supply chain and resources, Living Labs, renewable energy generation and contracts, and data reporting.

We publish quarterly updates on progress within the net zero principle, including the latest quarterly estate-based emissions. An annual review of progress on our Climate Plan, including our net zero pathway, is reported on by the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures. We also report our greenhouse gas emissions annually. These can all be found within the net zero reporting hub.

Delivering our ambitious targets will require collaboration and ingenuity from across our University community. Everyone has a role to play.

You can support our pathway to net zero in lots of different ways – by thinking about how you travel to campus and on business, reducing the energy you use at work, making the most out of the resources that we have and choosing low carbon alternatives such as reusable lab supplies or plant based food. Find out more about reducing your environmental impact.

Students and staff can access further information and discussion channels relating to the Climate Plan, including the delivering net zero principle, on the Climate Plan Sharepoint Hub. You can also contribute your thoughts on our pathway through drop in events on campus and online, the annual review of progress led by the Priestley Centre, or by emailing [email protected]. If you are a student, you can speak directly to your LUU exec committee and sustainability reps, whose help to represent the views of students.

If you are a member of staff then join our Sustainability Community on Teams, consider becoming a Sustainability Architect or setting up a Blueprint within your team, school or service. For those working in laboratories, we also have a Sustainable Labs network and you can work towards LEAF certification for your labs.