Climate action so far
The Climate Action Plan was published in 2021, but climate action has been happening at 缅北禁地 long before this.
2025
- Explore our projects, themes, and events pages and check out our newsletter and to find out what’s happening across campus this year!
2024
- We completed phase 1 of our Solar PV project, installing panels on 14 university buildings. So far, the panels have generated 71.5 MWh of electricity and have saved 147,000 Kg of carbon from being emitted!
- The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) criteria was updated, and 18 additional labs achieved LEAF accreditation bringing our total number of LEAF accredited labs to 40.
- We had another successful year of Green Impact, with 9 teams achieving awards.
- To reuse furniture and minimise waste from the Castle Leazes development, our Accommodation Team donated furniture to local organisations and charities including the People’s Kitchen and the City Library.
- The Stephenson Building redevelopment was completed. 鈥痺ere incorporated into every aspect of the building. From energy-efficient systems to eco-friendly construction materials.
- We surpassed 450 members on our Microsoft Teams Bicycle Users Group (BUG).
- Two Sustainability Communications Placement students joined our team!
2023
- Organised a Sustainability Week, bringing together groups and individuals from the University and beyond to talk about everything sustainability!
- Started the Sustainability Network newsletter, connecting more of our university community with regular updates on sustainable action.
- Our grounds team planted over 1500 m2 of wildflower beds across campus.
- Worked with volunteers to carry out hedgehog surveys on campus as part of ongoing works to help protect the threatened species.
- 10 more labs gained Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation (including 5 at gold level!), doubling the size of our community of environmentally certified labs.
- Installed a Combined Heat and Power engine in our Merz Court Energy Centre to provide low carbon heating and electricity to a large area of the campus. Commissioning work will continue into 2024.
- Expanded our team to 10 full-time sustainability professionals - we started off with just 2!
- Surpassed 700 members signed up to our ongoing Furniture Reuse project.
- Launched the Dr Bike project to support active commuting to campus and organised 11 sessions which rehomed almost 50 bikes and helped hundreds of cyclists with repairs and advice.
2022
- Worked with NUSU on a Climate Conscious Careers event.
- Took part in the Learning and Teaching Conference in March, creating a focus around sustainable development.
- Hosted an event on with participants from across our university community.
- Became a founding member of the .
- Started the !
- Retained our 鈥楩irst Class鈥� sustainability ranking awarded by the People and Planet University League for the 10th year in a row.鈥�
- Ranked 4th in the UK and joint 24th in the world for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
- Contributed to Spudfest, an event organised by the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences alongside Keenan Recycling Ltd, EAT@缅北禁地, and 缅北禁地 Food Bank to promote sustainable agriculture.
2021
- Divestment of all endowment funds fromin fossil fuel companies
- The Shaping Futures campaign, with a focus on climate action, was led by NUSU
- Net-zero carbon dioxide emissions target brought forward to 2030
- Phase 1 of the Climate Action Plan (PDF: 5,393 KB)鈥屸赌�published
- Shortlisted in the in the 鈥�2030 Climate Action鈥� category for the University鈥檚 Climate Action Plan and the 鈥楤enefitting Society鈥� category in recognition of 鈥楥limate Change Catastrophe鈥�, a collaborative theatre project between the University and Cap-a-Pie
- First Climate Action Plan engagement workshop conducted with Estates & Facilities鈥� Senior Management Team
- Extended King鈥檚 Gate PV array to 116.4kWp, produced by 284 panels
- Second phase of Solar PV project underway across four more sites, with plans for more phases over the coming years
- Retained ISO 14001 and 50001 certifications for Environmental and Energy Management Systems
- Achieved BEIS carbon pledge of 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2009/10 baseline
2020
-
Opening of , the University鈥檚 first BREEAM 鈥極utstanding鈥� Building and one of only two in the region
- Sustainable Framework for Construction is published
- Secured 拢2.9 million of government funding via the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) for a biofuel CHP (Combined Heat and Power) unit to serve eight buildings on campus, saving approximately 11.5% of University scope 1 and 2 emissions
- Commissioned largest Solar PV array to date on our King鈥檚 Gate building with 93.4 kWp being produced by 230 panels
- Student Environment and Sustainability Committee (ESC) launched
2019
- Declared a climate emergency and net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040 target
- Ventured into TEC Power Purchase Agreement to purchase Blyth wind-generated electricity
- Release of Staff Engagement Programme, 'Action 2020'
- Began working with Carbon Trust on our Scope 3 Carbon footprint
- Hosted the Climate Conversation Event
- Became member of 缅北禁地 City鈥檚 Net-Zero Taskforce
2017
- Work began onsite with our 拢2.4million campus LED retrofit scheme
- Opening of the Urban Sciences Building
2015
- Energy Policy established
- ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification achieved
- First Celebrating Success: Environment Awards
2012
- Achieved People and Planet University League 鈥楩irst鈥� ranking
- EcoCampus 鈥楶latinum鈥� Award and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification achieved
2007
- The Sustainability Team was created to ensure that the University has a full-time team dedicated to monitoring and reducing its environmental impacts.
- First Carbon Management Plan published
- Established the University鈥檚 Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC)