Universities are uniquely positioned to lead the charge towards a net zero future, not only through research and teaching but also by transforming their own estates and infrastructure.
Reducing carbon emissions and creating low-carbon infrastructure is not just about future-proofing campuses. We must put our research into practice and match our actions to our teaching. At a time when sustainability has become a defining issue, higher education institutions must adopt comprehensive, scalable strategies that align with their academic missions and financial realities.
Developing scalable frameworks for low-carbon infrastructure
At the core of the University of Edinburgh’s strategy is a comprehensive energy master plan designed to coordinate long-term investment in sustainable and resilient low-carbon buildings. With 550 buildings within our estate, this plan is both ambitious and essential. Achieving net zero is not just about retrofitting existing infrastructure but also ensuring that all new developments meet the highest standards of sustainability.
This master plan hinges on initiatives that are scalable and replicable, balancing affordability with the pace of delivery. In a higher education context, where budgets are stretched and funding for large capital projects can be competitive, finding this equilibrium has been critical.
Energy reduction as a cornerstone of a climate strategy
Energy reduction is a fundamental component of any university’s path to net zero. It directly addresses both carbon emissions and operational costs, enabling institutions to achieve financial savings while meeting sustainability goals. The University of Edinburgh has embedded energy reduction at the heart of its climate strategy, launching a £17 million, multi-year energy efficiency programme. This programme will prioritise the following areas for action: LED lighting and control upgrades, laboratory ventilation optimisation, building services insulation upgrades, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) optimisation measures, laboratory equipment upgrades, wastewater heat recovery and building fabric draughtproofing.
We are also exploring innovative ways to reduce energy demand through better insulation, upgraded ventilation systems and improved pipework insulation. The emphasis is not only on improving operational efficiency but also on reducing carbon at every stage of building design, from construction to long-term use.
“We now look differently at how we build and what we build,” explains Grant Ferguson, a leader within the university’s estates team. “It’s no longer just about the operational carbon performance of the building but also the materials used and the lifecycle impacts.” This holistic approach ensures that new developments contribute positively to the university’s carbon targets from the outset.
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What we’ve learned
Our work in this area has clarified for us the importance of taking a wider look at greenhouse gas emissions, not just electricity and gas in operation, as well as at sustainability – not just climate change, but also biodiversity, water and pollutants.
In addition, like many of our peers in city centre locations, our electricity is delivered to us through a constrained local grid. Recognising that those in the energy sector are working at speed and scale to address this known issue and increase the capacity of local electricity grids, we choose not to be a passive recipient, but recognise we also have a role to play. The more we can reduce unnecessary electricity waste, the sooner there’ll be enough electricity for the needs of our whole community, as we collectively electrify heat and transport and decarbonise our lifestyles.
A collaborative approach to achieving net zero
Achieving net zero requires internal coordination and collaboration across academic disciplines and professional services. For example, the University of Edinburgh’s estates department works closely with university researchers to integrate sustainability into its operational projects. There are multiple ways in which this takes place, including researchers acting in advisory roles on design teams, but also through a small internal fund that supports researchers to develop their proposals to have their technology or approach trialled on campus. This partnership allows for the continuous development of knowledge and innovation, making the campus itself a site of experimentation and discovery in the pursuit of a net zero future.
Rethinking space utilisation
Effective space management is another key lever for universities aiming to reduce their carbon footprints. By rethinking how spaces are used, universities can reduce energy consumption and optimise resources.
Some departments within the university are operating hot-desking at a ratio of one desk to four staff members. Others have refurbished their building to remove personal offices, including for the directors or senior members of the team, to free up space for more meeting rooms.
Leading the way to a sustainable future
Our university is updating its current climate strategy, aiming for greater ambition in both scope and scale. The focus will explore expanding from climate to biodiversity and the wider environmental polycrisis, setting science-aligned targets across all emissions and enhancing our impact through learning and teaching, research and partnerships, and we look forward to sharing more in due course.
In climate terms, sufficiency means adhering to a 1.5°C aligned decarbonisation pathway. This involves reducing emissions year-on-year at a pace that is adequate to avoid breaching the critical 1.5°C threshold – anything less, collectively, risks catastrophic consequences for the most vulnerable in society. We will continuously evaluate and adjust our strategies to ensure, above all, that our approaches are sufficient.
Scott Davidson is the head of sustainability and deputy director of the department for social responsibility and sustainability at the University of Edinburgh.
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