We're taking many actions to reduce the University of Cambridge’s carbon emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3. An overview of our commitments and approach is set out on these pages. More details can also be found in our Carbon Reduction Strategy 2020.
Our commitments
Scope 1 and scope 2 emissions
We are committed to reducing energy-related emissions from our operational estate to absolute zero carbon by no later than 2048, with a mid-term target of a 75% reduction against 2015/16 levels by 2030/31.
This target was established in line with the requirements of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi). The target hasn’t been externally validated by the SBTi as they do not provide target validation for higher education institutions. The target includes energy-related emissions (electricity, gas and purchased heat) from our operational estate.
The operational estate includes those buildings that are used to support the University’s teaching and research, and the associated administrative functions. It excludes the University’s commercial and rural estate, and Cambridge University Press and Assessment. The Colleges are separate legal entities and out of scope of the University’s reported emissions. See our reporting Methodology Statement for more information.
Scope 3 emissions
We have a target to reduce per capita emissions from business flights by 25% against 2014/15 levels by 2024/25. We’re also undertaking work to inform target setting for other scope 3 emission sources in line with the requirements of the SBTi.
Our approach
Scope 1 and scope 2 emissions
Procuring zero carbon electricity
In 2019, we joined 19 other UK universities in a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for ten years. Through this we source approximately 17% of our electricity directly from UK-based wind farms. We’re also exploring options to use further PPAs to increase the proportion of electricity sourced from certified zero carbon and sustainable sources. Our electricity not currently sourced via a PPA is generated through nuclear power and reported as zero carbon.
Reducing our use of gas
We’re actively working to reduce the amount of gas used for heating and hot water in our buildings.
In all new build projects, we’re committed to ‘no new gas’, though exceptions can be considered where back-up boilers are needed to meet occasional peak demand for heating or hot water.
All refurbishment projects are required to include potential options for removing gas-based heating systems for consideration at an early stage of the design process.
We have identified a number of projects that could provide the amount of carbon reduction needed to meet our 2030/31 mid-term target. These include a mix of major refurbishment, disposals and heat decarbonisation focused projects, several of which are already underway.
We’re continuing to explore wider opportunities to further reduce our gas usage beyond 2030/31, including working in collaboration with Cambridge City Council, a number of the city Colleges and Anglia Ruskin University to find solutions for a low carbon, city-wide heat network.
Managing heating and cooling
We aim to provide a comfortable working environment for all University members and visitors. At the same time, we want to minimise carbon emissions and costs from heating and cooling.
We’ve therefore adopted a Thermal Comfort Policy to inform decision-making on the conditions under which heating and cooling systems should be used.
Supporting energy efficient research
The Lab Efficiency Action Framework (LEAF) is a standard toolkit provided by University College London to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories. As a research institution ourselves, we have a lot of laboratory equipment, some of which are inherently energy intensive. We therefore use the LEAF programme to help our lab users and managers reduce energy use and carbon emissions arising from their research. All departments can also apply to the Carbon Reduction Fund (more information below) to support the reduction of carbon impacts from their research activities.
Additionally, we’ve developed Local Environmental Sustainability Plans (LESPs). LESPs find the key sustainability impacts for University institutions and suggest actions to manage and mitigate those impacts depending on their nature and local circumstance.
We also run a Cambridge Equipment Sharing Database to provide opportunities for sharing research equipment (avoiding emissions from additional travel or procurement), and the WARPit: reuse platform for the redistribution of office and lab items.
Carbon Reduction Fund
Our Carbon Reduction Fund supports the delivery of our Carbon Reduction Strategy and associated targets. It can fund activities that reduce emissions across any scopes 1, 2 and 3. Examples of projects supported through the Fund can be found on our case studies [under construction]. Staff can find out more information on the Carbon Reduction Fund and how to apply on our Environmental Sustainability Hub.
Reducing the carbon impacts of our construction projects
All our construction projects are expected to contribute towards the delivery of our carbon reduction target. Projects are expected to identify opportunities to achieve exemplary levels of energy efficiency, heat decarbonisation and renewable energy generation.
We require all new major refurbishment and build projects to achieve an ‘outstanding’ level of operational energy use as defined by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). We also require an options study to identify the best ways to reduce carbon emissions arising from the construction process.
BREEAM is an environmental rating system for buildings. It covers energy, water use, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology and management processes. In terms of their overall performance, we require new build and major refurbishment projects to be certified as at least BREEAM ‘Excellent’.
We have developed a Carbon Impact Template and accompanying guide. This allows the energy-related (scope 1 and scope 2) and construction-related (scope 3) carbon impacts of a new build or major refurbishment to be identified and addressed from an early stage of the project.
Reshaping our Estate
Reshaping our Estate aims to create a more efficient, effective, and sustainable estate, one that connects people and supports the changing needs of a world-class University to create high quality and environmentally sustainable spaces.
The programme will develop a strategic framework for the University estate, outlining a 20-year financial capital plan that best supports our academic mission while being financially, operationally, and environmentally sustainable. Read more on the Reshaping our Estate page.
Scope 3 emissions
Screening and prioritisation
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol identifies 15 different categories of scope 3 emissions. We have undertaken a scope 3 screening assessment to identify which of these categories are most significant for us.
- [graphic under construction]
This analysis shows that our supply chain and investments are the largest sources of our scope 3 emissions.
Supply chain emissions
We’re committed to implementing the international standard on sustainable procurement ISO20400, which will help to address the highest carbon impact areas of our supply chain.
To this end we’re currently working to improve the data we hold for the carbon impact of our supply chain, in collaboration with our suppliers and other universities. We’ve also introduced a new Supplier Code of Conduct. This outlines the minimum sustainability and environmental standards our suppliers must meet.
New procurement and purchasing trainings have also been developed focusing on environmental sustainability so that staff can make improved and informed decisions. For more information, please read the Sustainable Procurement website.
Investment emissions
The investment organisation that manages the Cambridge University Endowment Fund (CUEF) is University of Cambridge Investment Management Limited (UCIM). UCIM’s sustainable investment strategy, in place since 2020, is focused on:
- investing to achieve a phased approach to net zero;
- engaging with our fund management partners to decarbonise their portfolios;
- reporting with transparency and accountability to University stakeholders.
UCIM is committed to working with stakeholders towards its ambition that the Endowment Fund will be net zero of greenhouse gas emissions by 2038. UCIM has also been measuring their own greenhouse gas emissions since 2022, with details of these emissions available in their 2023 Annual Review.
For more information, please read the UCIM Annual Reviews.
Emissions from travel
We have programmes of work in place to reduce emissions from staff commuting to work, and the travel staff and students undertake as part of their work and study.
For information on what we’re doing to promote sustainable and low carbon modes of travel to and for work, please visit Travel and transport.
Our use of and approach to offsetting
Our Carbon Reduction Strategy is to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 emissions to absolute zero, and to minimise scope 3 emissions as much as possible, only using carbon offsetting where needed to address unavoidable emissions.
Currently, the University is only considering the use of offsetting to address emissions from essential business travel.
There are negative impacts and limitations to certain approaches to offsetting. To ensure we’re taking a robust and credible approach, we’re developing our own internal offsetting scheme for use by staff and students. The scheme will only use approaches to offsetting that have been found to meet several key requirements. This includes technical, environmental and social considerations.
The development of the scheme is being informed by the work of the Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits.
Our progress
Read about Our progress [under construction].