Green Gown Awards 2021: 2030 Climate Action - University of Winchester - Finalist

The University for Sustainability and Social Justice - our journey to net zero

In 2006, the University of Winchester (UoW) set out on its journey to decarbonise its estate. As of 2019/20 we have achieved scope 1 and 2 emission reductions of;

Location based emissions methodology (Grid Factors) - tCO2e relative to M2 -65% (2006/7 82kgCO2e/m2 - 2019/20 29 kgCO2e/m2) - tCO2e absolute -43% (2006/7 3603 tCO2e - 2019/20 2065 tCO2e)

Market based emissions methodology (Based on purchasing of renewable energy) - tCO2e relative to M2 -91% (2006/7 82kgCO2e/m2 - 2019/20 7 kgCO2e/m2) - tCO2e absolute -85% (2006/7 3603 tCO2e - 2019/20 551 tCO2e)

In addition to purchasing 100% renewable electricity since 2008, the UoW is one of the first to purchase 100% Green Gas from August 2020 making the campus net zero from energy emissions.

We are now stepping up our carbon reduction programme further with a major £3.1m capital investment programme in low-carbon technologies taking place over Summer 2021. This investment is possible through a £3.1m Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant. The project priority is the decarbonisation of heat, with 32 air source heat pumps replacing gas boilers, Solar PV, LED lighting and BMS optimisation will guarantee annual savings of 505 tCO2e/£102k (location based). Added to our participation in the EAUC Carbon Coalition trial, UoW is now one of the lowest carbon Institutions in the UK and will achieve Carbon Neutral Status for our Scope 1 & 2 emissions for 2020/21.

Top 3 learnings:

• Having ‘shovel ready projects is good when funding opportunities present themselves – the Re:Fit programme provided a useful framework to procure an energy performance contract which fitted with the payback criteria for the PSDS.
• Procuring renewable energy and fleet replacement will have a significant impact on Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions.
• Scope 1 & 2 emissions are just the tip of the iceberg – using the Market based approach for our energy emissions, Scope 3 is still 95% of our total carbon footprint (an additional 22000 tCO2e) and could increase further as reporting methodology and data quality improves.

Videos

• Video #1 (click to hide)