Climate Plan Update:

June to August 2025

The University of Leeds Climate Plan sets out how we will support climate change mitigation and adaptation up to 2030, while also contributing to a healthier, greener and fairer place to live, work and study. 

This quarterly update sets out the progress made from June to August 2025 towards the climate principle ‘Delivering Net Zero’.

Progress on all seven principles will be reported annually in the Climate Plan progress report. Regular updates to our University community will be available throughout the year through the Climate Plan SharePoint hub, alongside key updates on the University website.

This is the fourteenth report to update the University community on progress made since the Climate Plan and Pathway to Net Zero was approved by our Council in November 2021. See our previous reports on our Climate Plan reporting page.

For further information on our Climate Plan, visit our Climate Plan Spotlight article, which links to our Pathway to Net Zero Emissions report. You can also explore our Net Zero Delivery Plan which outlines the key infrastructure projects to reduce emissions on our estate.

Work completed

• Completed the first phase of the mid-point strategic review and identified focus areas where further options development is required.
• Reviewed and agreed technical options with construction partner Vinci to inform detailed designs for the Worsley building and Engineering cluster projects. 
• Initiated conversations with Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and Energy Leeds about the potential impact of developing energy policy and future electricity pricing.
• Agreed to switch our approach to procuring renewable electricity to a ‘deep green’ energy tariff given changes in the wider marketplace. 
• Published a tender to install solar PV on the Worsley building. 
• Commenced options appraisal looking at opportunities for renewable energy across the wider estate including the University Farm. 
• Commissioned a contractor for smart energy trials across campus. 
• Developed draft strategic approach for scope 3 supply chain emissions reduction and begun work to finalise this with key stakeholder groups. 
• Confirmed the four projects awarded funding from the Living Lab funding call. 

Upcoming plans

• Continue to develop options and act on initial findings from the mid-point review process.  
• Commence final detailed design stages for Worsley and Engineering Cluster projects. 
• Continue options appraisal for renewable electricity across the estate. 
• Begin smart energy trials at key locations on campus. 
• Initiate work with the Living Lab projects awarded funding through the Net Zero programme. 
• Continue development of Net Zero Plus supply chain strategy and action plans, and begin to take through formal approval processes. 

University greenhouse gas emissions

To account for the time required to receive validated energy use data, this update reports on estate-based emissions for February to April 2025.

The figures include scope 1 and 2 emissions, excluding vehicle fuel, agricultural emissions and the escape of greenhouse gases from air conditioning units. It also includes the emissions associated with the energy used in leased buildings within the University's control, which were previously reported within our scope 1 and 2 emissions but have been reclassified as 'scope 3 downstream leased assets' in our greenhouse gas inventory.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as natural gas used in our boilers. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions, generated from purchased energy.  

Figures represent tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.  

Previous year (2023/24): 12,661 tCO2e.   

This year (2024/25): 11,118 tCO2e. 

Difference: 12% decrease.