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Decarbonisation and Net Zero Project

Panoramic aerial view of various buildings on the Â׸£ÀûƬ campus

Sustainability is embedded as a principle that touches every aspect of our Campus Connectivity Plan. Our sustainability team works alongside all project teams to embed sustainable principles across the institution. But the CCP is not just about new buildings. Decarbonising our existing buildings is challenging due to their age and range – but remains fundamental to achieving our carbon reduction targets.

 



 

Rooftop solar panels on a Â׸£ÀûƬ building

Through the Campus Connectivity Plan, we are supporting the Â׸£ÀûƬ’s commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2038 and to deliver a decarbonised campus through cleaner energy, more efficient buildings and smarter use of resources.  

By the end of 2024/25, we had reduced our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 78%, demonstrating strong progress and our continued commitment to cutting carbon across our estate. 

Decarbonisation in our Mary Seacole Building

In Spring ’26 we started work on our latest major decarbonisation project at Mary Seacole Building on the Frederick Road Campus.  This is part of the School of Health and Society and is the base for a large number of health and care related courses taught at the Â׸£ÀûƬ. 

We secured funding allowing us to replace end of life gas boilers with high efficiency heat pumps, install solar PV on the roof and upgrade all lighting to LED. This package is expected to cut around 192 tonnes of CO₂e a year and over 4,300 tonnes across the measures’ lifetime, directly supporting our Net Zero Carbon 2038 ambition.

What’s included

  • Clean heat: Four 2005era boilers (1.4 MW) will be replaced by a cascading heat pump system (air source to high temperature watersource) engineered to keep existing radiators and AHU coils, reducing disruption.
  • On-site power: A rooftop solar array is expected to generate ~224,400 kWh/year.
  • Efficiency first: Full LED replacement inside and out.

Impact

  • Direct gas displaced: ~1,049,850 kWh each year.
  • Modelled energy bill saving: ~£30,065/year.
  • Carbon: ~191.66 tCOâ‚‚e/year (direct) and ~4,312 tCOâ‚‚e lifetime from the bundle of measures.

How we’ll track benefits 

Performance will be monitored via our ISO 50001 energy management system, Building Management System (BMS) and Building Insights platform and reported via our annual Sustainability Report.

Our Mary Seacole project is one building example of how we’re delivering the University’s wider decarbonisation pathway. To see the strategic context including targets, governance, and the actions we’re taking across carbon, energy and water, read our University Net Zero Carbon Plan in the Environmental Sustainability section