Green Gown Awards 2021: 2030 Climate Action - University of Cambridge - Highly Commended

Following the science to go beyond net zero

By adopting a science based approach to target setting, the University of Cambridge has positioned itself to take ambitious and collaborative climate action to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions to absolute zero before 2048 (requiring a 75% reduction by 2030). With a focus on ‘following the science’, the University has built engagement and momentum behind its carbon reduction programme and provided a platform for increased collaboration across the Collegiate University. Parties across the wider University and the 31 Cambridge Colleges have engaged with the Science Based Target approach, which is in turn fostering new conversations around common experiences, ideas, and challenges.

Capitalising on this, the University has developed and is implementing a programme of work to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions from its operational estate to absolute zero and is sharing its learning with parties across the Collegiate University to support joint working across all aspects of carbon reduction.

Top 3 learnings:

• Focus on finding common ground - whatever that might look like in your institution.
• A science-based approach can unite parties with differing views on what your carbon reduction strategy should look like.
• Whatever approach you take, focus on being transparent about what works and what does not.