Top sustainability university tracks toward net zero 2030 target

Energy efficiency projects at Cranfield University reduce organisational emissions by 1,919 tonnes of carbon a year.

Rated in the top 15% of global universities for its sustainability efforts in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024, Cranfield University has set itself ambitious environmental targets. 

Top of the agenda amongst these targets is to reach net zero carbon across all three scopes of emissions by 2030. Scope one emissions are direct emissions owned and controlled by an organisation or individual, while scope two and three emissions are indirect and related to the activities of the organisation or individual but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it. 

To support the larger capital works programmes required to reach these goals, the university has invested in 15 years of energy efficiency works enabled by the England Recycling Fund.

Gareth Ellis, head of energy and environment at Cranfield University, said: “It all started at the same time in the sense of developing a carbon management plan in 2008/2009, with energy efficiency works at the core of our ongoing activity ever since.

“Energy efficiency works through our Recycling Fund have kept the momentum going and enabled us to do projects we would not otherwise have done.”

Projects largely centred on LED lighting upgrades, which is possibly the most common technology to have received funding through the Recycling Fund in general.

Since its Recycling Fund was first opened in 2009, Cranfield University has completed 85 projects. Combined, the university predicts the projects will save them £552,702 in annual energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions by 1,919 tonnes every year.

Ranked in the top 10% of all global universities for its sustainability work by the Times Higher Education Impact ranking 2024, Cranfield University hopes its work will inspire others to see the benefits of even the smallest of energy efficiency measures like upgrading to LED lights. Gareth says that these are the things that everyone can do that will make a collective difference on our journey to net zero.

Gareth added: “Energy efficiency is critical in terms of engaging with people.

“When they can see small projects that apply to them, that helps in terms of the overall push toward net zero.”

To supplement progress and works made possible thanks to its Recycling Fund, the university also received funding through the Salix Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (SEELS), and Phase 2, Phase 3a, Phase 3b and, more recently, Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. In all instances, funding is delivered by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 

Mitch Thomas, client support officer at Salix, said: “Cranfield University has a true passion for sustainable practises and a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to showing leadership in the climate action space.

“I look forward to seeing Cranfield’s momentum towards net zero 2030 continue through both self-funded projects and works funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.”

You can also read more about some of the challenges faced during their Phase 3a project, which was halted due to roosting bats found in building walls, through the news item on our website.

About the England Recycling Fund

The England Recycling Fund is a loan-based, ring-fenced fund, created with capital provided on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through Salix, and matched by the public sector organisation. It encourages organisations to re-invest financial savings that result from projects into further decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects, thus operating in a cyclic “recycled” manner. 

The scheme has been closed to new applications since 2010. However, since that time we have continued to support organisations with open funds to complete thousands of projects worth more than £267 million through the scheme. 

The average fund has been recycled more than three times, and, when combined, our recycling fund projects save over 296,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every single year.

The fund is closing at the end of the 2024/25 financial year, with any projects funded through the scheme required to complete by 31 March 2025.