Welsh educational institutions receive funding to drive net zero goals
Four leading education institutions in Wales awarded funding to drive forward their net zero ambitions
Digarbon funding will support long-term sustainability goals while reducing carbon emissions across the public sector
A diverse range of green projects aimed a tackling Wales’ climate goals have been revealed.
We are pleased to announce that Swansea University, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff University, and University of Wales Trinity St David have been offered funding as part of the Welsh Government’s Digarbon scheme.
This loan funding, delivered by Salix and the Welsh Government Energy Service, will support each institution's ambitious efforts to decarbonise their facilities and contribute to the Welsh public sector’s ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
The Digarbon scheme, a £20 million initiative, is designed to assist higher and further education institutions in Wales in their transition to sustainable, low carbon operations.
By providing loans for projects focusing on heat decarbonisation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric vehicle infrastructure, the scheme plays a key role in supporting Wales' broader climate goals and the public sector’s drive to reduce carbon emissions.
In a Ministerial visit on Monday 17 January at Cardiff University Cathay’s Park Campus, our Salix team had the opportunity to discuss the projected measures with Cardiff, one of the loan recipients. .
The university will use its £12.2 million loan to support energy efficiency upgrades to its Tower and Law buildings, both located in Cathays Park, a designated conservation area.
Building on previous decarbonisation initiatives, including LED lighting and solar PV installations, the new project will focus on additional energy conservation measures such as fume cupboard upgrades and pipework insulation. These improvements will reduce gas consumption, lower carbon emissions, and create a more comfortable environment for staff and students alike.
I am really pleased to announce £20 million of loan funding to higher education institutions to support them in reducing emissions and playing their part in tackling the climate emergency. This is part of a wider journey to drive down carbon emissions across the whole public sector. It’s a huge challenge, but by working together, I know we can achieve this. I would urge others to follow in the footsteps of organisations like Cardiff University.
Cardiff University has long been a leader in sustainability and decarbonisation. The university is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through a wide range of initiatives. Students are actively involved in sustainability, with the university offering a variety of green initiatives such as the Green Impact scheme, which encourages student groups to adopt environmentally friendly practices, and Sustainable Cardiff, a student-led campaign promoting sustainability across the university.
Anita Edson, director of estates & campus facilities at the University, said:
“Universities play a vital role in the push to net zero. The work being done here is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s about creating a model of sustainability that can be replicated across the public sector. Moving forward, we hope to introduce a heat network, which will only be possible following the fabric-first approach we have taken with the Digarbon.”
Swansea University’s loan will focus on reducing the heat demand of its existing buildings. The project will include the installation of double glazing at Union House and Margam Building, the introduction of an energy efficient plant at the Faraday Lecture Block, and the expansion of the Singleton Campus District Heating Network. A key part of this decarbonisation initiative is the replacement of gas boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) units with air source heat pumps.
Swansea University’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond infrastructure projects. The university has a comprehensive sustainability strategy that focuses on energy, waste reduction, sustainable transport, and biodiversity. Swansea also runs an innovative eco-schools programme, involving students in various sustainability projects, including waste reduction campaigns and promoting green transport.
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has received £1.7 million in funding to restore the Old Library. This currently unused space will be transformed into an energy-efficient, functional venue for performing arts, community engagement, and exhibitions. Planned upgrades include roof insulation, double glazing, and the addition of a draught lobby, with the project expected to reduce carbon emissions by 30 tonnes per year.
The college is also committed to embedding sustainability into its curriculum, with students encouraged to explore environmental themes through the arts. Several student-led initiatives focus on waste reduction and sustainable practices in the performing arts, from recycling costumes to reducing energy use in productions.
The University of Wales Trinity St David will focus on installing low-carbon upgrades to three core buildings on its Carmarthen Estate. In the Teaching and Learning Block, Llwyfan building, and Performance, Dance and Musical Theatre, gas-fired heating systems will be replaced with air source heat pumps, and zonal heat controls will be introduced for better management of heating demand. Additionally, rooftop-mounted solar panels will be installed to support the shift from gas to electrical demand.
The Halliwell building, a hub for catering and student social spaces, will also benefit from a new air source heat pump, along with fabric improvements such as roof repairs, Welsh wool insulation, and the installation of solar PV to future-proof the campus’s energy infrastructure. Adding roof insulation made from natural materials like Welsh wool not only improves thermal performance but also supports local industries and enhances the building's resilience to climate change. These energy efficiency upgrades ensure that the buildings operate optimally with minimal energy waste.
The University of Wales Trinity St David has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, with several academic programmes dedicated to environmental issues, including Sustainable Development and Environmental Management. The university works closely with local communities on sustainability initiatives and is actively involved in research to address climate change. Students also have a strong presence in sustainability projects, from green building design to biodiversity conservation.
These projects represent a significant step forward in Wales' collective effort to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
By empowering leading educational institutions with the resources to implement decarbonisation initiatives, the Digarbon scheme is contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for the Wales offering an inspiring example to the rest of the United Kingdom and beyond.