Climate Action So Far
The Climate Action Plan was published in 2021, but climate action has been happening at Newcastle University long before this.
2023
- Organised a Sustainability Week, bringing together groups and individuals from the University and beyond to talk about everything sustainability!
- Started the Sustainability Network newsletter, connecting more of our university community with regular updates on sustainable action.
- Our grounds team planted over 1500 m2 of wildflower beds across campus.
- Worked with volunteers to carry out hedgehog surveys on campus as part of ongoing works to help protect the threatened species.
- 10 more labs gained Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation last year (including 5 at gold level!), doubling the size of our community of environmentally certified labs.
- Installed a Combined Heat and Power engine in our Merz Court Energy Centre to provide low carbon heating and electricity to a large area of the campus. Commissioning work will continue into 2024.
- Surpassed 700 members signed up to our ongoing Furniture Reuse
- Launched the Dr Bike project to support active commuting to campus and organised 11 sessions which rehomed almost 50 bikes and helped hundreds of cyclists with repairs and advice.
2022
- Worked with NUSU on a Climate Conscious Careers event.
- Took part in the Learning and Teaching Conference in March, creating a focus around sustainable development.
- Hosted an event on climate action at Newcastle University with participants from across our university community.
- Became a founding member of the Nature Positive Universities Alliance.
- Started the Sustainability Blog!
- Retained our ‘First Class’ sustainability ranking awarded by the People and Planet University League for the 10th year in a row.
- Ranked 4th in the UK and joint 24th in the world for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
- Contributed to Spudfest, an event organised by the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences alongside Keenan Recycling Ltd, EAT@Newcastle, and Newcastle Food Bank to promote sustainable agriculture.
2021
- Divestment of all endowment funds fromin fossil fuel companies
- The Shaping Futures campaign, with a focus on climate action, was led by NUSU
- Net-zero carbon dioxide emissions target brought forward to 2030
- Phase 1 of the Climate Action Plan (PDF: 5,393 KB) published
- Shortlisted in the Green Gown Awards in the ‘2030 Climate Action’ category for the University’s Climate Action Plan and the ‘Benefitting Society’ category in recognition of ‘Climate Change Catastrophe’, a collaborative theatre project between the University and Cap-a-Pie
- First Climate Action Plan engagement workshop conducted with Estates & Facilities’ Senior Management Team
- Extended King’s Gate PV array to 116.4kWp, produced by 284 panels
- Second phase of Solar PV project underway across four more sites, with plans for more phases over the coming years
- Retained ISO 14001 and 50001 certifications for Environmental and Energy Management Systems
- Achieved BEIS carbon pledge of 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2009/10 baseline
2020
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Opening of The Catalyst, the University’s first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ Building and one of only two in the region
- Sustainable Framework for Construction is published
- Secured £2.9 million of government funding via the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) for a biofuel CHP (Combined Heat and Power) unit to serve eight buildings on campus, saving approximately 11.5% of University scope 1 and 2 emissions
- Commissioned largest Solar PV array to date on our King’s Gate building with 93.4 kWp being produced by 230 panels
- Student Environment and Sustainability Committee (ESC) launched
2019
- Declared a climate emergency and net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040 target
- Ventured into TEC Power Purchase Agreement to purchase Blyth wind-generated electricity
- Release of Staff Engagement Programme, 'Action 2020'
- Began working with Carbon Trust on our Scope 3 Carbon footprint
- Hosted the Climate Conversation Event
- Became member of Newcastle City’s Net-Zero Taskforce
2015
- Energy Policy established
- ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification achieved
- First Celebrating Success: Environment Awards
2012
- Achieved People and Planet University League ‘First’ ranking
- EcoCampus ‘Platinum’ Award and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification achieved
2007
- First Carbon Management Plan published
- Established the University’s Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC)