Documentary celebrates net zero vision across the public sector in England
The film highlights success stories from nine organisations who have received funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
“In order to preserve this earth, we have got to reduce the reliance that our energy system has on fossil fuels.” – This is the message that underpins a documentary we’ve produced to highlight the importance of funding in our response to the climate crisis.
The environmental damage resulting from emissions caused by the way we are heating our buildings has long been identified as a critical challenge in our response to the climate emergency. In a bid to address this, organisations across the UK have been undertaking projects that aim to improve building fabric to reduce heat demand and move away from fossil-fuel based heating systems.
However, particularly for public sector organisations, funding has proved to be a constant hurdle to progression, often stunting the ability for organisations to advance against their net zero ambitions.
Our director of public sector decarbonisation Ian Rodger said: “Most public sector bodies have set themselves ambitious net zero targets, but funding and delivering projects that support these goals is a consistent challenge.
“That’s where we come in – we exist to enable and inspire public sector organisations to move toward net zero and support them in creating better places to live and work.”
That’s where we come in – we exist to enable and inspire public sector organisations to move toward net zero and support them in creating better places to live and work.
Launched in 2020, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was designed to deliver grant funding to the public sector for capital works to decarbonise buildings. Since 2020 we have delivered various phases of the scheme which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Now, projects that have been funded through the scheme are being celebrated, not only for reducing the carbon emissions and progressing the net zero agenda, but also for the positive impacts the works are having to the people who use the spaces.
In the video, Sir Tim Hitchens, president of Wolfson College – University of Oxford, said: “This is not simply about preserving buildings and maintaining buildings, this is about preserving the planet and preserving the future generations.
“It’s extraordinary that we can get the kind of support from Salix and from the government that allows us to do this really transformational work for us, but inspirational for everybody else facing the same challenges over the next 10 to 20 years.”
Watch the full video below to learn more about results seen from nine of the organisations interviewed in the documentary, or read on as we summarise the projects. Plus, keep an eye on our website over the coming months as we delve into the detail of the works for each organisation to spotlight their achievements to date.
About the projects (as they appear in the film)
Wolfson College, University of Oxford
Wolfson College is a University of Oxford college located in north Oxford along the River Cherwell. They have set a particularly ambitious target to become net zero by 2030 and this means decarbonising their inefficient, 1970s-built estate.
To support their endeavours, they received funding through Phase 2 and Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This funding has enabled them to embark on a large programme addressing fabric inefficiencies through glazing and insulation upgrades. They also replaced gas-based heating with air source heat pumps.
The projects have enabled the college to achieve their net zero target six years earlier than planned, a feat they say would not have been possible without the opportunities unlocked through funding provided via the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
In the video, Sir Tim Hitchens, president of Wolfson College, said: “This has not simply been a building project. This has been a transformation of the way the whole community of the college works and works together in a way that wouldn’t have been possible without the trials, but also the successes of this programme.”
The University of West London
The University of West London have multiple campuses across the southeast of England and have set a target to reach net zero across them all by 2030.
To support progression, they have received funding under Phase 1 and Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Funding has supported the transition away from fossil fuel heating at many of their buildings, as well as insulation improvements and the introduction of renewable energy through solar pv.
In the film, head of environmental sustainability at the University of West London Nasrin Khanom, said: “It enabled us to reduce our gas consumption at that site by 92%, which is quite impressive and an important step towards decarbonisation.”
The university’s momentum toward their net zero targets continues with further works set to receive funding under Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Funding delivered under this phase of the scheme should see works complete by 31 March 2026.
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust brings together globally recognised teams, practices and medical research to help to shape the future of healthcare. The trust supports more than 641,000 patients every single year and, in line with NHS mandates, they have committed to reach net zero carbon by 2040.
To support their ambitions, they have received multiple tranches of funding under Phase 3a and Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Works focus on upgrades at their women’s hospital, children’s hospital, and Parkview Clinic, an adolescent mental health facility run by the trust.
Alongside benefits seen through reduced emissions, the projects are being praised for their role in improving the overall patient experience with these essential facilities.
Dan Saxton head of decarbonisation at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, is interviewed in our documentary. He said: “Whilst it’s a great decarbonisation story, it’s also a great story for our patients in that once we’ve reinsulated and reglazed that building, it’ll look a lot nicer, but it’ll also be a lot nicer inside those buildings for our patients too.”
Cheshire East Council
Cheshire East Council have a target to reach net zero borough-wide by 2045, supported by first achieving net zero through their own operations by 2027.
To support their journey, they have received funding across all phases of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme so far: Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3a, Phase 3b and Phase 3c.
Funding has supported insulation and heating upgrades at buildings across the council estate and has been hailed as particularly beneficial for community centres serving vulnerable adults where upgrades have ensured the comfort of the spaces and reduced their energy bills in the process.
Speaking in the film, Mahdi Choudhury, corporate energy manager at Cheshire East Council, said: “These centres are an important part of the community. Adults who are in need, need these places open to get the care that they need. So, these services are vital for the community.”
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority supports the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester and aims to guide these authorities through the estate decarbonisation process.
To support their aim to become carbon neutral by 2038, the authority have received funding for large-scale projects across the Greater Manchester area through Phase 1, Phase 3a and Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Project measures range from LED upgrades to insulation improvements to solar installations and the replacement of gas-based, fossil fuel heating systems in favour of heat pumps.
Alongside the positive outcomes in ways of carbon reduction, the authority acknowledges the importance of taking a leadership role within the community when it comes to these works, as well as the wider impact through the upskilling of the workforce and generation of jobs within the community to support the work.
In the film, David Hughes, senior engineer at the Grater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “If we can show leadership by investing in our own buildings, it provides community hubs, it provides future services for residents. Then, it’s also the economic impacts, and how we’re providing and supporting local jobs, skills and the wider economy.”
The City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the City of London, the historic centre and home to the ‘square mile’ where you can find much of the UK’s financial sector.
The City Corporation’s own climate action strategy commits them to achieving net zero carbon emissions in their own operations by 2027 and to supporting the whole square mile to do the same by 2040.
To help achieve this ambition, they were awarded funding through Phase 1 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, enabling them to undertake upgrades at multiple buildings across their estate, including the famous Barbican Centre and Guildhall Art Gallery.
An approach that keeps residents, workers and visitors to the city at the heart of everything they do, the project aimed not only to reduce carbon emissions and support their net zero targets, but also to improve the comfort and experience of the spaces for those who use them.
Speaking about the upgrades in the Barbican Concert Hall in the film, City of London Corporation energy engineer Mark Donaldson, said: “Having a comfortable environment is really important for people that are attending the events so that they enjoy the experience.”
Speaking about the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, Deputy Policy Chairman Keith Bottomley said: “This funding has enabled us to accelerate our plans and to do things more quickly.”
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest and busiest acute hospital trusts in the country, treating 1.5 million patients a year. They are working towards a net zero target of 2040, with an aim to become one of the greenest NHS Trusts in the UK.
To support their progression against this agenda, they have received funding through Phase 1 and Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
This funding has supported large and complex fabric improvement and heat decarbonisation projects across their diverse estate, which includes Victorian, listed properties to modern constructed built properties providing a mixed range of services.
In the film, the trust attributes its success largely thanks to staff buy-in. Interviewee and executive director estates and facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Craige Richardson said: “We’ve got buy-in from ward to board in terms of sustainability. And our estates and facilities teams are really passionate about making our sites more efficient in terms of carbon reduction.”
Lancaster City Council
Based in the northwest of England, the district of Lancaster covers city, coast and countryside. Supporting Lancaster’s metropolitan population of just shy of 150,000 residents, Lancaster City Council have set out a commitment to become net zero by 2030.
To support their ambitions, they were awarded funding through Phase 1 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This funding supported the decarbonisation of their Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, which is understood to be the first net zero leisure centre in the UK.
Alongside upgrades to the building fabric and heating systems at the centre itself, the landmark project saw a large solar array installed on the site of an old landfill – a previously redundant piece of land. The solar put in as a part of this work is expected to provide around 30% of the annual energy needs for the centre.
In the video, Elliot Grimshaw, climate change project lead at Lancaster City Council, said: “It’s a really good use of a piece of land that you couldn’t ordinarily do a great deal with. You can’t build on these landfill sites, especially with our landfill cap. So renewable energy, solar pv, is a really good option for them.”
The Royal Latin School
Located in the heart of Buckingham, the Royal Latin School is one of the oldest schools in the world and currently supports around 1,300 pupils.
Staff and students at the school have a passion for sustainability and the environment, with the student-led green group actively involved in projects that support their sustainability agenda.
As a part of this drive, the school received funding under Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for upgrades to the buildings across their estate. Upgrades enabled by funding through the scheme include insulation measures, the replacement of gas boilers with air source heat pumps, solar installations and more.
The results of the works are now being praised for making the school buildings more comfortable for staff and students, as well as for acting as a real-life example of sustainability agendas put into action for the students to learn from and follow.
In the video, Royal Latin School premises manager Andy Downing said: “The impact of the project was huge because prior to this we had staff sitting in offices in coats in the winter. But now it’s a really comfortable working environment.”
In the same video, David Hudson, headteacher at the Royal Latin School, said: “From a student point of view, I think what surprised some of our students is the scale of the project we’ve been able to put into place.”
What these projects demonstrate
The stories of these nine organisations provide a small insight into some of the extraordinary projects that have received funding through previous phases of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Our director of public sector decarbonisation Ian Rodger said: “We are facing some very tough net zero challenges and we don't have time to waste in addressing them.
“Whilst it’s essential to look forward and maintain momentum against this agenda, it’s also important we take the time to reflect on our achievements so far.
“Many public buildings across the country are now in a much better place in terms of their energy efficiency and protecting the environment, and in addition they also offer a more comfortable place in which to work, visit, learn and play.
“These are extraordinary projects that have been driven by some passionate, ambitious and visionary people and we are incredibly proud of the role we have played in seeing them succeed.”
With Phase 4 expected to open for applications later this year, and we are delighted to continue delivering the scheme on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For more information on Phase 4 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, please visit our website.
