The University records and reports its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions primarily from gas used for heating buildings and Scope 2 emissions are indirect, coming mainly from electricity used in buildings.
To reduce carbon emissions from University buildings, we must reduce reliance on gas, reduce electricity use and increase our use of renewable power that is generated on site or sourced locally.
The University aims to reduce its reliance on natural gas, which is mainly used to heat buildings, by replacing gas heat sources across the estate with electric, thereby reducing its Scope 1 emissions. The forecast reduction in carbon from the National Grid makes electricity a lower carbon heat source than gas in the longer term.
Additional activities include:
- Establishing district heating networks at Old Road Campus and the Science Area, and heat pump technology to be used across the estate to increase electrical efficiency.
- More efficient use of energy by encouraging engagement in energy saving, retrofitting buildings to reduce heat loss and using energy-efficient appliances. These measures will reduce our Scope 2 emissions.
- Every effort will be made to reduce our emissions as much as possible, however, carbon offsetting will be required to cover residual emissions. Offsetting will only be used from 2030 onwards.
We invite partners from the University to suggest Carbon Reduction Opportunities for support by the Environmental Sustainability team and the Oxford Sustainability Fund. Follow the link to learn more and propose projects for carbon reduction in your building or department.
What about the old target?
In 2019 we committed to halving our peak scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. This commitment stands. Our emissions peaked in 2010 and have significantly decreased since then.
We’re reducing carbon intensity (emissions per m2), installing solar panels, building to the highest standard and implementing technologies for energy management. The University community supports this goal by following the recommendations from the Be Energy Friendly campaign.
