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Climate action

Actively managing how we source and use energy is important to reducing our carbon footprint.

As a large organisation with thousands of staff and students, our energy consumption is complex and significant. However, we are fully committed to climate action by actively reducing our carbon emissions and implementing energy-saving initiatives across our campus with a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.

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Sustainability at York

Key achievements 2023-2024

9% reduction
of scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions against the average 2017-19 baseline.
Over 3000 trees
planted on campus grounds in 2023-24
9% reduction
of latest scope 3 carbon emissions figures (2022/23) against the average 2017-19 baseline
13% reduction
of power consumption in our energy data centres
Additional 700kWp
of solar panels installed on campus
110 individuals
certified in carbon literacy in 2023-24

Plans and policies

Explore the policies we’ve implemented to reduce our carbon footprint and save energy.

Infrastructure Decarbonisation Pan

Reducing carbon emissions is essential for the environment and also makes sound business sense, especially as fuel prices continue to stay high. The University of York Infrastructure Decarbonisation Pan outlines our pathway to achieve carbon net-zero, setting out our targets and some of the works planned to progress in the short, medium and long term.

Heating and cooling policy

Our heating and cooling policy is a key component of our campus-wide energy-saving efforts, driving us toward our net-zero carbon goals while also reducing costs. By maintaining target temperatures, we ensure comfortable working environments and make a significant contribution to a more sustainable future.

Quality and Environmental Policy

Our Estates Services are improving the sustainability of the campus through operating an Environmental Management System in accordance with their Quality and Environmental Policy. The system has successfully achieved certification to the ISO14001 standard.

Digging deep for a greener future: geothermal energy

The University of York has launched an exciting deep geothermal energy project as a transformative step in its journey to Net Zero. The project aims to cut our fossil fuel consumption by 78% as part of our Sustainability Plan 2030 targets and making a substantial contribution to reducing the City of York’s overall carbon footprint.

The first 3-year stage has already secured funding, supported by a £35 million government-funded grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and delivered by Salix Finance Ltd.

Geothermal Energy project

Energy Saving Campaign

In April 2024, we launched an initiative to transform energy use across our University, aiming to make significant strides in energy conservation and cost savings.

Our ambitious goal is to save £1 million over a year, equivalent to reducing 1,586 tonnes of CO2e — about the same amount of carbon dioxide that 264 acres of forest, or 230 football fields, would absorb.

While we have numerous initiatives in place to help us reach this target, we're also asking everyone in our community to make small changes in their energy use, so together, we can create a big impact.

Energy Saving Campaign

Project spotlight: Institute for Safe Autonomy (ISA) net zero project

The installed Institute of Safe Autonomy Net-Zero solar array on Campus East does not only help to diversify our on site energy production, but also forms a ‘living lab’ where researchers can develop and test new robotic and AI technologies designed to inspect and maintain solar arrays.

Funded through the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), the project will enhance the Institute’s research capabilities to develop and use AI and robotic systems in renewable energy. The 113 kWp solar farm creates a ‘living lab’ to give insight to landowners and operators of solar farms on how best to integrate robotic technology in the field.

What you can do

Find out what actions that you can take towards saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint.

Save energy on campus

Working from home guidance

Get Carbon Literate

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Sustainability at York