What we are doing

Scope 1 and 2 emissions

• The Infrastructure Decarbonisation Masterplan (IDM) is our evolving programme of works to deliver multiple projects focussed on reducing fossil-fuel consumption and energy-related carbon emissions across our estate. It sets out a plan to 2040 to fully decarbonise energy consumption. It includes sections on interventions, tested scenarios and their outcomes, and an implementation plan (sections 6 to 9) and reduction trajectory (figure 25).
  
  This figure illustrates the carbon emissions for each scenario over time compared to the University target line. 
  
  Scenario 1 will benefit from the decarbonisation of the grip until about 2025, however, as gas consumption will remain high, so will carbon consumption. 
  
  Scenario 2 follows the University's carbon targets until about 2030. As the electric boilers have higher energy usage than ASHP emissions and no fabric improvements are made, emissions remain higher, even as the grid decarbonises. 
  
  Scenarios 3 and 4 have similar carbon trajectories and meet the University's targets until 2034.
  
  Scenario 5 meets the University's target by utilising energy produced by a large-scale PV farm. This could also be achieved by purchasing 100% renewable energy. Scenario 5 also has lower carbon emissions from 2029-2035 by maintaining the existing renewables Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA).
  
  
• Discussions with city partners over the creation of an Exeter City District Heating Network. 
• Increasing on-campus renewables generation:
  • Installation of 1 megawatt onsite PV at Duryard completed in September 2024
  • Feasibility study underway for PV Wind Turbine to supply our Penryn campus
• Sustainable Design Guide ensures sustainable energy in all refurbishments and capital works/new builds.
• 63% of University fleet electrically charged with target of 75% by 2025.
• University greenhouse emissions for our 2018/19 baseline year totalled 7,480 tCO₂e
• University greenhouse emissions for our 2022/23 year totalled 6,761 tCO₂e

Scope 3 emissions

• University greenhouse emissions for our 2022/23 year totalled 89,505 tCO₂e

Multiple programmes of work that focus on changing our ways of working to be more sustainable, reducing carbon emissions, and embedding sustainability into University culture. Several policies and plans support this work and further information on specific initiatives and targets can be accessed using the following links:

• Commuting (coming soon)
• Procurement - prioritising decarbonisation of our supply chain and embedding 20% weighting for sustainability into tenders
• Investments
• Waste (coming soon)
• Water - Water Resilient Policy in place with Water Management Strategy in development
• Travel Policy - ensuring that travel for work and study is undertaken in accordance with our values and to meet wider University targets and objectives relating to sustainability, cost, compliance, equality, diversity, and safety requirements. 
• Research Footprinting Tool - developed in-house to help identify areas of high GHG impact
• Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) - reducing environmental impact of laboratories

Our focus is on reducing our direct emissions, but there will be a role for offsetting as part of achieving our carbon net zero target. An Offsetting Task and Finish Group is utilising our own academic expertise to develop our Offsetting Strategy. 

Progress against our net zero target is contained in our annual report. The annual report provides a year in review of sustainability activities, reflecting on work that has taken place to both reduce the University's carbon emissions and demonstrate broader leadership in the sector and among stakeholders.  

Find out more about the formal groups that govern our approach to leading meaningful action against the climate emergency and ecological crisis including the Forums, Groups and Committees in place to drive actions across the University in our Governance section. 

The University of Exeter has implemented an EMS for Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services (FICS) certified to ISO 14001:2015 see the British Assessment Bureau Certificate. The  FICS Environmental Management Policy outlines the goals, responsibilities, aims and commitments that have been adopted within the EMS to cover the activities, services and operations within FICS. It is one part of the University's wider Environment and Climate Emergency (E&CE) response and action. 

The University is now working on extending the EMS to all faculties and divisions across Exeter campuses, in support of the Environmental and Climate Emergency Policy aims:

• Aim 3: Demonstrate commitment to managing, minimising and mitigating  the impacts from operations, activities, research and education.
• Aim 6: Demonstrate compliance with all relevant legislation as a minimum,  and where possible go beyond it.  

The EMS helps identify areas where efficiency can be improved and savings made. Areas where tangible benefits and financial savings can be achieved are waste management, energy consumption, transportation, packaging and materials use.

The other major benefits are:

• improved compliance with environmental legislation
• regulator assurance
• reduced insurance risks
• reduced environmental risk
• demonstration of environmental commitment to stakeholders
• support funding bids and invitations to tender
• demonstration of green credentials to attract staff, students and business customers
• enhanced environmental awareness within the University community
• opportunities for research and student projects
• consideration and identification of our  environmental aspects & impacts

Further information, including EMS procedures and supporting documentation, is stored on SharePoint and accessible to University of Exeter colleagues. This site is managed by the Sustainability team. For further information or queries relating to the EMS, please contact our Sustainability team: sustainability@exeter.ac.uk

With the backdrop of the climate and ecological crisis, inequality and poverty, the transition to a more sustainable way of life is more important than ever and education is key to catalysing shifts towards more sustainable behaviours and lifestyles.

As a University we are committed to embedding the SDGs across all courses and the experience of our staff and students. Our Annual SDG Report, together with the vodcasts below, highlight how we are approaching and contributing to the delivery of each.