Meeting HE carbon targets

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Meeting HE carbon targets
Joanna Simpson Senior Policy Adviser
EAUC Annual Conference 23 March 2010
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Carbon reduction strategy

• Developed in partnership with UUK and GuildHE
• Carbon reduction research by SQW
• Consultation
• Two consultation seminars September 2009
• 120 consultation responses
• Published January 2010

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Carbon reduction strategy

• Challenging targets for sector and society
• 34 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 against a 1990
  baseline (scope 1 and 2 emissions)
• will require commitment, creativity and
  innovation
• development of scenarios
• Support from HEFCE, UUK and GuildHE
• Leading sustainable development in higher
  education

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Carbon reduction strategy

• Scope 3 emissions
• Funding incentives
• Revolving Green Fund
• Capital funding will be linked to carbon
  performance
• Other government grants
• Monitoring, reporting and evaluation

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What does it mean for English HEIs?

• Requirement for institutions to set their own
  targets and develop carbon management plans
• Based on own circumstances and ambitions
• Linking capital funding to carbon performance
  through the Capital Investment Framework
• More specific and demanding requirements in
  relation to carbon
• New metrics on carbon emissions relative to
  income, student staff numbers
• Institutions to report progress in implementing
  carbon management plans and on results achieved
• Changes to the financial memorandum

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Policy directions

• Higher Ambitions the future of universities in
  a knowledge economy

Acting as an important agent in the transition
to a low carbon economy, both by setting their
own ambitious strategies for decarbonisation and
also by acting as a source of public debate,
engagement and leadership on climate change
Higher Ambitions
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Policy directions

• Skills for Growth
• Climate Change Act
• HE sector carbon budgets
• UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
• necessary transition to low carbon, right for
  climate change, energy security and jobs
  Ed Miliband
• Review of higher education and student finance

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The financial challenge
Current position Real terms growth in HE
funding Variable fees Reduction in capital
funding for 2010/11
New position Reduced spending Financial
implications of legislation Future capital
funding?
Response Working together to make case for
investment Tough choices Invest-to-save New
balance of public, student and employer funding
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Impact

• Universities leading on major societal challenges
  climate change, energy, food and water security
• Autonomous institutions with a strong commitment
  to excellence in learning, research and knowledge
  exchange
• Contributing to economic recovery and future
  growth
• Universities in their communities

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www.hefce.ac.uk/lgm/sustain/Joanna
Simpsonj.simpson_at_hefce.ac.uk0117 9317411