Tuesday 16 June 2020

University of Bath adopts climate emergency plan to achieve carbon-neutrality

The University of Bath has declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming carbon-neutral in vehicle emissions, heating and electricity by 2030.

The climate action plan which has been put forward will see the college to halve its indirect emissions in the next ten years and achieve carbon-neutrality in all its emissions by 2040.

The university, which now sources 100% of its purchased electricity from renewable energy and generates 10% of it on campus, has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 35% and cut energy and water use by one million pounds since 2005.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian White said: "Universities can have an important role to play in addressing the climate emergency, not just through restricting their own emissions and in conducting research, but also in educating students to become future leaders and innovators with the skills and experience to respond to the climate crisis."

The university also plans to provide opportunities for students to study and work on climate-related issues and introduce teaching practices to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.