Goal 7: Policies, processes and practices
The following page outlines specific policies, process and practices in support of Sustainable Development Goal 7 Affordable and clean energy.
Local community outreach
We provide programmes for the local community to learn about the importance of energy efficiency and clean energy. We recently hosted Manchester Festival of Climate Action, which provided a range of discussions, expert advice and resources for the public to understand more about climate change and clean energy.
We also hosted a Clean Air Challenge for local schools to learn more about the impacts of different energy on air quality, and to consider the role that other types of clean energy / energy efficiency might play in reducing air pollution.
Assistance to low-carbon innovation
We provide assistance for start-ups that support a low-carbon economy. 1) We have an annual ‘Venture Further‘ start-up competition for current students, researchers and recent graduates – with a £75,000 prize fund. The competition provides workshops, mentors and networks to grow ideas and has a category dedicated to the environment and low carbon, affordable and clean energy innovation.
Our Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub provides sustainability solutions for environmentally ambitious SMEs across the region. We offer free advice to organisations to help develop innovative solutions to lower their carbon footprints through reducing their plastics. Our provides a range of start up support and funding, helping innovative businesses including those involved in the low carbon economy.
As part of our commitment to fostering student research and innovation in sustainability, our Students’ Union has launched the Steve Biko Sustainability Fund. This fund supports student-led sustainability projects that address at least one of the UN SDGs and contribute to reducing the SU’s environmental impact on the Manchester community.
Energy efficient renovation, building and upgrading
We have policies in place for ensuring all renovations and new builds are following energy efficiency standards and have plans to upgrade existing buildings to higher energy efficiency.
Our Code of Practice for Design Teams policy mandates new construction/refurbishments comply with relevant regulations (such as Building Standards; e.g. Section 8.1.2). It includes going beyond the minimum, by incorporating low and zero carbon technologies (Sections 5.1.6-8). There’s also a requirement for new builds and substantial refurbishments to be subject to the Carbon Management System, which includes an evaluation of energy performance at design stage (TM54; Section 5.1.3) targeting improvements in energy over the previous building or prior to refurbishment (Section5.1.2).
Our Environmental Sustainability tracker requires a carbon (energy) saving over the minimum requirements in Part L (Building Regulations). We require all new builds to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and all refurbishments to achieve a minimum of Very Good (pg. 7 of plan).
As outlined in section 5.2 of our Energy and Utility Policy (reviewed 2024), we have short-term and longer-term actions for reducing our energy usage as a university. This includes commissioning a site survey to establish the condition of infrastructure so improvements can be identified, implementing energy requirements for upgrading building portfolios and to act in accordance with the Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2023-28) to ensure energy reduction is embedded and a key theme is to improve energy efficiency to reduce the energy demand of buildings.
Our Carbon Action Plan, also outlines various targets for higher energy efficiency in our buildings.
Divestment policy
We have policies on divesting investments from carbon-intensive energy industries, notably coal and oil.
Our Policy for Responsible Investment and Environmental Sustainability Strategy sets out the University’s approach and targets to divest from carbon. A key element of the policies is an objective to decarbonise the University’s entire investment portfolio. Shares in companies with material fossil fuel reserves or involvement in fossil fuel extraction are excluded and further decarbonisation will be achieved through tilting the portfolio to more sustainable companies and engaging with companies. Our annual Endowment Investment Portfolio Climate Change Report provides details of our actions to address these targets.
100% renewable energy pledge
As the first university in the world to have been recognised as a carbon literate organisation, we are proud to promote actions towards net-zero. Our Sustainable Future commits us to reducing our energy consumption by a total of 10% against a 2018 baseline.
We have published our pledge to renewables and encourage others (both in the university and wider community) to do the same. We’ve also highlighted renewable energy providers available for anyone living across our local communities in Greater Manchester.
Our pledge includes ensuring 100% of the University’s electricity consumption will be backed with Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin, which means that for every megawatt of electricity the University consumes, the equivalent volume of electricity is generated from renewable sources.
In a major move towards achieving our 2038 zero carbon ambition, we have also partnered with leading UK clean energy firm, Environmena, to buy electricity generated from its brand-new solar farm based in Medebridge, Essex. Construction of the farm began in April 2024, with completion expected in autumn 2025. Once complete, the contract known as a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA), will supply up to 65% of our electricity demand.
Working with government: policy development
We are supporting governments in clean energy and energy-efficient technology policy development. On local/regional policy our Tyndall Manchester Centre works with authorities to help them develop policies on clean energy. We identify and advise on a wide range of challenges, risks and opportunities, eg how heat pumps, PV, electric vehicles and wind power can be expanded across our local region.
On national policy our Dalton Nuclear Facility works with the UK government to support clean energy and energy-efficient policy development. This is the UK’s largest and most connected academic provider of nuclear research and development.
Globally we are developing models of clean energy policy advice and development through our modelling of rivers and dams. For example, we are helping to resolve conflict around the river Nile – one of the world’s longest rivers globally, spreading over 11 countries in East Africa – and which supplies water, energy production, environmental quality and cultural wealth.
Carbon and energy reduction processes
As part of our zero carbon ambition, we have a range of processes for carbon management, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and reducing overall energy consumption.
We have pledged to support Manchester’s climate change target for zero carbon by 2038. Our Carbon Action Plan (published below) outlines progress and plans towards this target.
Our energy efficiency plans to reduce our overall consumption are outlined in our Energy and Utility Policy, reviewed 2024. Actions include installing high efficiency, low energy light fittings, moderating ventilation across buildings (to reduce heat losses and energy wastage) and continuous energy audits, focused more frequently on areas of high consumption.
Our Carbon Action Plan outlines progress towards reducing our energy consumption. We provide training as well as guidance on our sustainability website for staff who volunteer to help reduce energy consumption within their departments. The Environmental Sustainability Team liaises closely with the volunteers to advise on energy conservation methods and encourage staff and students to implement energy saving schemes.
As outlined in our Energy and Utility Policy, energy audits are carried out on all university buildings. Staff volunteers conduct local energy audits to identify areas of wastage and put in place local measures to reduce consumption, especially waste. We developed an internal energy dashboard to visualise energy consumption at a building level, supporting the volunteers and engaging staff/students with energy minimisation. The results are used to identify how much energy is being used by our buildings and whether there is an opportunity to reduce consumption. We also monitor energy use, before and after infrastructure modifications, to assess the effectiveness of the modifications. Buildings of high energy usage are monitored more often, and energy conservation measures are produced.
Our Carbon Action Plan
Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity. The 2015 Paris Agreement outlined the need for urgent reductions to global carbon emissions to keep the average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius or lower.
Our commitments.
- To achieve zero direct carbon emissions by 2038 (direct emissions otherwise known as “scope 1 and 2” are those which come from the production and use of energy across the University)
- To achieve net zero for our scope 3 emissions by 2050 (scope 3 emissions are emitted as an indirect result of our activities such as the goods we purchase, or staff and student travel)
Scope 1 and 2
The University of Manchester has been tracking its direct (“Scope 1 and 2”) carbon emissions since 2007.
Since then, our emissions have fallen by 36% but we are committed to doing much more.
Fig 1: Scope 1&2 carbon emissions in tonnes CO2 at The University of Manchester 2007-2023
In 2019 the University committed to becoming zero carbon in its direct operations by 2038. This target is in line with the one adopted by the city of Manchester and was set by colleagues at the University’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
The 2038 target commits the University to reducing its carbon emissions by an average of 13% each year between the baseline of 2018 up to 2038 in order to stay within its “carbon budget”. Milestones were set by the Manchester Climate Change Partnership (MCCP).
In 2021 the University produced its first “Zero Carbon Masterplan” (ZCM), an exploratory document highlighting the strategic and technical actions required to achieve the 2038 target.
The main recommendations of the ZCM were:
- The University should embark on a programme of energy efficiency measures which will reduce our energy consumption and carbon emissions and save money in the longer term;
- The University should enter a “Corporate Power Purchase Agreement” (CPPA), meaning the University’s electricity demand will be matched by a developer generating renewable energy on our behalf. Critically, the electricity generated must be “additional” to what would have been created should the CPPA not exist;
- The University should decarbonise its heating through a gas boiler and heat network replacement programme. Air source heat pumps are currently considered the most viable alternatives to gas.
Scope 1 and 2 Actions
As a result of the ZCM, these are our actions:
| Sourcing more of our energy from renewables | In 2024 we will be entering into a CPPA which is a long-term energy contract with a developer of renewable power. We will be making a public announcement on this soon. |
| Delivering our energy reduction programme |
Projected work includes replacement of lighting with LEDs, “baseload optimisation” (reducing the amount of energy used by buildings when they are unoccupied) and upgrading Building Management Systems so they run more efficiently. Lighting surveys have been completed for ten buildings, and four of these (Michael Smith, Arthur Lewis, Carys Bannister and Car Park D) are now entering the commercial tender stage before works will commence to remedy known improvement areas. This year we will also conduct a power system and heat network study to review further opportunities to decarbonise our buildings. £157m has been committed to energy efficiency projects by 2032/33. Our target runs to 2038 so between now and 2033 we will continue to seek additional funds to supplement the £157m already approved and extend the funding beyond 2033. We have received Salix funding of £2.2 million to decarbonise our Zochonis building, which is included in the above figure. |
| Delivering a phased approach to zero carbon building works |
Phase 1 of the zero-carbon works in our Booth Street East and Dalton Ellis buildings were completed. This is estimated to save 332 tonnes of carbon annually. Works to a further four buildings are planned in Phase 2, including Zochonis, Humanities Bridgeford Street, Simon and Crawford House. Work on site in Zochonis and Simon buildings is expected to start later this year (by end 2024). Projects include air source heat pumps, photovoltaics, new roofing systems, new glazing and internal insulation systems. Once completed, these projects are predicted to save 1,406 tonnes of carbon annually. |
Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions attributed to residential accommodation.
University of Manchester Owned Residences
The Carbon Management Plan includes Scopes 1&2 emissions for residences owned by The University of Manchester.
In 2022/23 (our latest confirmed data), carbon from these residences made up 12% of our total Scope 1 &2 footprint.
*11 residential buildings provide rooms for 3,930 students.
External Residences
Alongside these University owned residences, we partner with other landlords to provide an additional 2,200 rooms in 7 external residential buildings.
Whilst we have no operational control over energy use, nor access to data on the amount consumed, we estimate (using average emissions per room for our university owned residences) that the scope 1 and 2 emissions for our external residences for 2022 – 2023 is 3,442 (t CO2e).
Scope 3
In July 2023, the University set a Scope 3 emissions (which are emitted as an indirect result of our activities) target of net zero by 2050. We are currently developing our plans on how to meet this aspiration and aim to publish this by the end of 2024.
We have already set the following targets:
| Target | Progress | |
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Waste <0.1% of our Scope 3 Emissions in 22/23 |
Recycle 45% of the waste we produce through campus operations by 2025.
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In 2023 we recycled 40% of our waste. |
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Divert 100% of waste from landfill via new waste contracts from 2023 onwards.
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In 2023 our landfill diversion rate was 99%. | |
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Business Travel 2.5% of our Scope 3 Emissions in 22/23
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Aim to limit annual emissions from air travel to 50% of our 2018/19 level. |
Currently, at 46% reduction from the 2019 baseline, we have missed our target by 4%.
However, distance travelled reduced by 50% in this timeframe, but increases in GHS emissions, due to reduced loading of planes because of COVID, has caused emissions to rise.
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Investments
1.1% of our Scope 3 Emissions in 22/23 |
Reduce weighted average carbon intensity (WACI) of public equity holdings by at least 50% against 2019 baseline by 2027.
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Currently, at 47% reduction from the 2019 baseline, we are close to achieving our target.
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| Reduce carbon intensity within the investment grade credit allocation by 40% by 2027. | Currently, at a 44% reduction from the 2019 baseline, we have exceeded our target. | |
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Reduce energy consumption within the investment property portfolio by 10% by 2027 compared to the 2019 baseline year.
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The reduction in energy usage within the property portfolio in 2023 was c.+1.1% versus the baseline year (-1.3% versus baseline in 2022 and -7.8% versus baseline in 2021).
Concerned this metric is moving in the wrong direction, our property portfolio, and investment managers are prioritising mitigation measures such as new technologies and systems to improve this position for us.
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| Reach net zero on investment portfolio by 2038. |
For a full report of our progress, see our investment portfolio climate change report below. |
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Reach 100% renewable energy use within the endowment investment property portfolio by 2027
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The percentage of landlord procured REGO backed renewable energy for 2023 was 100% (56% in 2022). Therefore, the University has now hit this target ahead of the 2027 date. |
Scope 3 Reporting
To set and deliver future targets for emissions reductions it’s important we’re measuring ourselves against a baseline.
Our baseline for scope 3 emissions is 2018/19, this year was selected as it is the best data set we have pre-pandemic, which would have skewed results.
In 2023 we published this scope 3 emissions baseline, this can be found here Scope 3 report.
Part of our journey towards net zero is also to learn more about reporting, improve data quality and increase data sources. We will be fully transparent and share our learnings as we go.
Earlier this year we measured our first comparable scope 3 data set for 2022/23. It was noted that the figures, some of which based on spend data, did not account for inflation.
Rectifying this for 22/23, we also noted we needed to recalculate our 18/19 baseline data so that the methodology and emission factors used, for both data sets, aligned.
| Scope 3 | 2018/19 NOT factored for inflation (A) | 2018/19 factored for inflation (B) | 2022/23 factored for inflation (C) | % difference (C) vs (B) |
| tCO2e | 342,820 | 390,672 | 459,142 | 17.6% |
The Scope 3 results for 2023 are 459,142 tCO2e.
This is an 18% increase from the base year of which:
- 93% is coming from differences in methodologies and emission factors, such as newly including emissions from staff working from home and using updated benchmarks to estimate leased building energy use.; and
- 7% comes from an increase in University activity such as a 7% increase in spending and a 10% increase in student numbers.
The most material elements of the University’s Scope 3 footprint are Category 1: Purchased Goods and Services (44%) and Category 9: Student Travel (37%).
Our work on setting a short to medium term roadmap for scope 3 emissions reductions will set to tackle priority areas for our university.
Carbon Action Governance
Achieving the 2038 zero carbon target is a strategic priority for The University of Manchester and considerable effort is being put into the work. Zero Carbon works are overseen by a Group specifically established to manage the project. This in turn reports into the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC), which meets quarterly. The ESC reports into the Policy and Resources Committee, which is the University’s most senior governing body beneath the Board of Governors.
The Vice-President for Social Responsibility, Prof Nalin Thakkar, is accountable for achieving the zero carbon 2038 target. The Director of Estates and Facilities, Diana Hampson, is responsible for the delivery of the works supporting the target. The Acting Head of Environmental Sustainability, Julia Durkan, is responsible for day-to-day management of the project. A number of colleagues from across Professional Services are contributing to delivery of the work, including the Principal Energy Manager.
In 2024 we:
- Installed a fossil-fuel free heating system in our Booth Street East and Dalton Ellis buildings and have now moved on to phase 2 for a further four buildings including Zochonis, Humanities Bridgeford Street, Simon and Crawford House.
- Signed our CPPA, our long-term commercial commitment to sourcing more renewable energy. Construction on the new solar farm began April 2024, and will be operational by July 2025.
- Will carry out further studies on our buildings to understand in greater detail the actions needed to decarbonise the heat networks and improve energy efficiency, with a view to creating a pipeline of activity and submitting further bids for external funding.
- Will develop and publish a short to medium term plan for meeting our Scope 3 target of net zero by 2050.
Progress against our carbon budget
Our colleagues at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research have estimated that from 2018, The University of Manchester can emit up to 450,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere before exceeding our remaining carbon budget. The chart below shows the amount of carbon we have already emitted since then.
Fig. 2: carbon emitted since setting our carbon budget
We are aware that at our current emissions rate, we will exceed our carbon budget far sooner than the target date of 2038. However, we remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure that we stay below the budget for as long as possible.
The targets and our progress against them will be continually reviewed to ensure they are relevant and being acted upon. Where necessary we will update them.