By Andy Seaman, Energy Manager

The University of Exeter provides world-class research to address the challenges of climate change, working closely with the Met Office at the Hadley Centre. Despite a 66% growth in student numbers, by 2014 the university had achieved an 11% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions against its 2005 baseline.

Carbon Credentials carried out a diagnostic process which highlighted a lack of awareness amongst staff and students of the steps the university was taking to reduce carbon emissions, as well as a need to agree on the measures and investment levels that would deliver their carbon reduction targets.

Following the diagnostic exercise Carbon Credentials was instructed to support the carbon management development process.

Carbon Credentials worked collaboratively with key members of the sustainability team at the University of Exeter to design an optimal approach to carbon management, confirm the technologies that will be pursued and the role that staff and students can play, and communicate this strategy to stakeholders.

Through this process the University of Exeter’s Low Carbon Commitment was born. Carbon Credentials produced a document that outlines how a unified effort from staff and students will enable carbon management to be embedded throughout the organisation.

The Low Carbon Commitment confirms an ongoing pledge to deliver a world-class university by improving facilities in an environmentally responsible manner and empowering staff and students to take action.