Sustainability [for students & staff]

UofG will be transparent in the reporting of its environmental performance data, with relevant information readily accessible via our sustainability webpages. We will continue to return data on an annual basis, to both the Scottish Government (in line with requirements under the Public Sector Climate Change Reporting Duty) and the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).  

Figure 2 below summarises the annual carbon footprint data for the University of Glasgow, over the period 2018/19 to 2021/22.  The footprint includes Scope 1 emissions (gas consumption, fugitive [refrigerant] emissions, fleet vehicles), Scope 2 emissions (electricity consumption) and Scope 3 emissions (water consumption, waste production, business travel, staff/student commuting).   

Figure 2 – Historical Carbon Footprint Data for the University of Glasgow 

Table 1 below shows a breakdown of the UofG carbon footprint, based on our data returns to Scottish Government, under the Public Sector Climate Change Reporting Duty over the past four years.

Scope 1 emissions have fluctuated over this period, depending on the extent to which our gas-fired CHP engine has been in operation.

At the same time, Scope 2 emissions have significantly decreased, because of the continued decarbonisation of the national grid.

Scope 3 emissions from flight-related business travel have been steadily increasing over the years, with the exception of the period between 2020 and 2022 when coronavirus-related travel restrictions prevented business travel for a significant proportion of the reporting years. Similarly, emissions due to staff/student commuting were also significantly reduced during 2019/20 and 2020/21. In 2021/22 we saw a significant rebound in emissions from both business travel and staff/student commuting albeit still well below 2018/19 levels.

Table 1- Carbon Footprint Breakdown for years 2015/16 through to 2021/22

The University commissioned ARUP to carry out a projection study in 2020, to gain an understanding of what the University’s annual carbon footprint projections would be 2045, taking into consideration growth in staff and student numbers, the campus redevelopment and the impact of future grid electricity decarbonisation.  Two different scenarios were considered: business as usual and an intervention scenario where significant investment was made across the estate (in energy efficiency improvements, low carbon heating and renewable energy technologies) and reductions in both commuting and business travel-related emissions were delivered. 

According to the consultants, if the University maintained its pre Covid-19 trajectory, our carbon footprint would rise to 64,940 tonne CO2e by 2035 and to 75,366 tonne CO2e by 2045.  

Over the period 2020/21 to 2030/31 we plan to reduce our organisational carbon footprint to 27,000 tonne CO2e per annum*.   

We will set ourselves an interim carbon reduction target of 47,000 tonne CO2e per annum, by 2025/26. 

The University has also committed to being net zero for GHG emissions by 2030.  As such, we will focus on reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible over this decade, but we will phase in the use of offsetting to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030. 

All targets have been rounded to the nearest 100 tonne CO2e. 

*We have used the 2018/19 footprint, as a proxy baseline from which to calculate our targeted emissions reductions over the next decade. This is because the actual 2019/20 footprint was markedly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and not representative of normal business operations.

We will phase in the use of offsetting, where required, to help reduce our net carbon footprint during the 2020s and achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030. In addition, we have also committed to address the carbon impact of international student travel by offsetting one return flight a year for every student from outside Europe, from 2025 onwards. 

The University’s carbon offsetting strategy will be two-pronged. We will identify partners to develop a scheme, or schemes, that generate nature-based carbon offsets (either tree planting or peatland restoration) and deliver co-benefits that align with our objectives. In this regard, we have also committed to participating in the Clyde Climate Forest initiative. Any requirement to purchase additional carbon offsets will be carried out via collaboration across the higher education sector and mediated by the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC).   

Beyond 2030, as we decrease our emissions further, we will reduce our reliance on offsetting. 

To better facilitate a ‘whole institution’ approach to tackling the climate emergency, the University has established a Centre for Sustainable Solutions which aims to connect services and disciplines across the University and create a single point of contact for strategy, policy, research, teaching, estates and other services.  The Centre will help to link the creative energy and expertise within the University to the wider sustainability agenda and provide resources and networks to help staff and students progress towards sustainable practices. 

The Centre for Sustainable Solutions works in partnership to develop and deliver short courses around Sustainability, Climate Change and Carbon Literacy.   

The University has an Environmental Communications Strategy which seeks to deliver clear and coherent communication, with respect to both environmental performance and action at UofG.  Communication activities will showcase progress and highlight the commitment and contributions of staff and students involved with environmental issues, thus encouraging others to increase their own involvement. Further work is required to ensure coherent implementation of this strategy. 

Oversight of the CMP will be conducted by members of the Sustainability Working Group, which has the following remit: 

• To oversee implementation of the University's Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, of which the CMP is an integral part. 
• To raise awareness of and engagement with the Strategy and Action Plan across the University community. 
• To make recommendations about future amendments or revisions to the Strategy and Action Plan. 
• To enhance the University's reputation and profile as an institution that is committed to the sustainability agenda. 
• To provide reports periodically to SMG and to Court via the Estates Committee. 

Responsibility for the delivery of our various emissions reduction strategies is outlined as follows: