In early 2020 the Climate Emergency Steering Group was established at the University to respond to the Climate Emergency. Attended by the Students’ Union, researchers in climate change plus representatives from support services including Estates and Facilities Management and chaired by Professor Tim Thornton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the steering group collaborated to produce the Carbon Neutral Strategy: A Ten Point Plan for the Planet.
Adopted by the University Council in November 2020, the plan reflects the University’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality across all areas of the University. It aims to address the breadth of sustainable development whilst establishing new net zero targets for Huddersfield. As part of this plan, the University of Huddersfield will achieve net zero carbon emissions for scope 1 and scope 2 by 2030, and for scope 3 by 2045.
These commitments build on the University’s long-standing dedication to sustainability and environmental improvement; great work has already been carried out ensuring that the University met and exceeded its carbon reduction targets for scope 1 and 2 in 2020. Please note the plan is currently under review and the updated version will be published soon. The details of the plan can be viewed below.
Approved 25 November by University Council.
Scope 1: emissions from sources directly owned or controlled by the University
Scope 2: generated by use of energy bought from a utility provider
Scope 3: occurring from sources that the University does not own or control, for example covering emissions associated with business travel, procurement, waste and water
Green Week: A Carbon Neutral University was the first event of it's kind held virtually at the University between 22nd-26th February!
The week consisted of a variety of events including upcycling workshops, food waste and sustainable textile seminars along with a WALL-E watch party and was headlined by The University of Huddersfield's Journey to Net-Zero: a panel event. This exciting event was attended by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Thornton and other members of the Climate Emergency steering group who have developed the Carbon Neutral Strategy. You canwatch the full event here, where our panelists discussed the Carbon Neutral Strategy: a Ten-Point Plan for the Planet and answered your questions on how the University plans to address the climate emergency.
Green Week was a huge success, enabling staff, students and the wider University community to engage with sustainability at the University, and we look forward to hosting Green Week again in 2022! Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any future event ideas.