Climate Plan Update:

March to May 2023

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 March to May 2023 towards the climate principle ‘Delivering Net Zero by 2030’.

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, alongide key updates on the University website.

This is the fifth 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.

Work completed so far:

• Identified the most effective building and energy infrastructure work to deliver Net Zero, and developed a delivery plan and phasing for these between now and 2030. This plan is being reviewed by University governance boards ahead of planned approval by the end of the year.
• Completed the installation of low energy LED lighting across University residences.
• Completed a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Resilience Review to assess the preparedness of the university campus to weather disruption caused by climate change.

Upcoming plans

• Publish a tender for work to begin exploratory drilling for geothermal energy on campus.
• Commence detailed design on the building and energy infrastructure projects identified within the net zero delivery plan.
• Develop requirements for a strategic construction partner to support the delivery of Net Zero building and energy infrastructure projects.
• Develop a communications and engagement plan to share the Net Zero delivery plan with students and staff during the next academic year.

University greenhouse gas emissions

To account for the time required to receive validated energy use data, this update reports on Scope 1 and 2 emissions for November 2022 to January 2023, excluding vehicles, agricultural emissions and the escape of greenhouse gases from air conditioning units.

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.

We are working to improve our approach to providing quarterly greenhouse gas emissions data and are developing a new data governance approach. We will publish further information on this in due course.

• Previous year (2021/22): 13,469 tCO2e
• This year (2022/23): 13,634 tCO2e
• Difference: 1.2% increase

Please note that the dates and figures in the previous Climate Plan Update have been amended following data validation.