Environmental Change Institute

Universities and Climate ChangeTina Fawcett

(presentation to internal seminar, July 2013)

Themes and questions

Themes

A growing sector

What we know about carbon emissions

Oxford University’s environmental performance

The role of universities in the transition to a low carbon society

Questions*What role could UCU (Universities and Colleges Union) have in promoting a low carbon / environmental agenda in Oxford University?

What might a low carbon university or HE sector look like?* These were open questions for the meeting – not answered by this presentation!

Facts and figuresHigher education (HE) is a rapidly expanding industry sector with global student numbers rising 6% per year during 2002-09.

Overall growth in the UK has been slower than this, but growth of international students coming to UK reflects global trend.

2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

% change 2007/08 to

2011/12

UK 1,964,315 2,027,085 2,087,615 2,073,070 2,061,410 5%

Other EU 112,150 117,660 125,045 130,120 132,550 18%

Non-EU 229,640 251,310 280,760 298,110 302,680 32%

Total 2,306,105 2,396,055 2,493,420 2,501,295 2,496,645 8%

Student numbers UK, 2007/08 – 2011/12 (Source: HESA, 2013)

UK students are 83% of UK student population.

Carbon emissions in HE, UK, 2006

Source: SQW Energy and SQW Consulting (2009). Research into a carbon reduction target and strategy for Higher Education in England: A report to HEFCE. Using my calculations for air travel by international students

What is the academic equivalent of ‘love miles’? Study miles?

What is the academic equivalent of ‘love miles’? Study miles?

The story so far…Good news Bad news

The discourse of ‘greening campuses’ has generated some striking examples of good practice.

At a sectoral level, there is no evidence of significant progress in addressing rising carbon emissions; progress has been at best sporadic and incremental.

Contributions to research and knowledge transfer in the fields of climate science and mitigation.

There is as yet no model of a low carbon university.

HEFCE has developed a sector-level target for carbon reduction

New buildings very energy- and electricity-intensive in design, and use (24 hr operations)

Funding to English universities is linked to reduction in carbon emissions

Sector competition based around internationalising model, increasingly attracting global staff and students, leading to increasing air travel

Revolving Green Fund (RGF3): up to £20 million in available recoverable grants

Oxford University University of Oxford FAILED the People & Planet Green League 2013.

Ranked 132nd with a score of 22.0 out of 70 (17 for policy, 5 for performance)

University has carbon reduction and other sustainability targets and a sustainability team.

“In 2009/10 the University's total carbon footprint from scope 1 and 2 emissions (i.e. use of electricity and gas) was 80,196 tonnes. To meet the University's 2020 target we will need to reduce the University's emissions to 44,152 tonnes.”

Midnight Oil project – reducing energy use from out-of-hours working in research buildings

Green League – detailed scores for OxfordCriteria Score

Policy and management section 17/40

Environmental policy 1/3

Environmental management staff 6/8

Environmental auditing & management systems 4/8

Ethical investment 2/3

Carbon management 1/6

Fairtrade and ethical procurement 0/2

Sustainable food 1/3

Staff and student engagement 2/4

Sustainability education and learning 0/3

Performance section 5/30

Renewable energy 2/6

Waste and recycling 1/8

Carbon reduction 0/10

Water consumption 2/6

Unions and climate change

ECI was involved in the curtailed Defra-funded ‘Climate Solidarity’ project on behaviour change at home and in the workplace, working with four unions.

Environment reps, involvement in larger TUC campaigns around green jobs

TUC Climate change conference, Monday 21 October 2013, Congress House London

Low carbon universitiesOptions?

efficient buildings and transport;

reducing travel for HE (higher education) business and as part of staff

and student commuting;

reducing the numbers of international students;

increasing use of distance learning;

changing use of research buildings;

use of lower carbon energy sources.

Obviously some of these options are more challenging / controversial

than others.

Low carbon universitiesOptions?

efficient buildings and transport;

reducing travel for HE (higher education) business and as part of staff

and student commuting;

reducing the numbers of international students;

increasing use of distance learning;

changing use of research buildings;

use of lower carbon energy sources.

Obviously some of these options are more challenging / controversial

than others.