The Brite Green Higher Education carbon report has been launched. \u00a0EAUC says:<\/p>\n
Based on data from the 2014\/15 academic year, the report looks at how the sector is doing overall and specifically, how institutions are performing against their 2020 carbon reduction targets. \u00a0To accompany this year's report, Brite Green have produced a best practice guide to support institutions to achieve their emissions reduction targets. \u00a0The EAUC has contributed heavily to this guidance to ensure that our members can make the most of the information on offer.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Brite Green says:<\/p>\n
This is our third progress report on the carbon emissions performance of HEFCE funded universities. \u00a0The report shows that despite some universities having achieved excellent reductions the sector remains behind its 2020 target. \u00a0To help meet the UK Government\u2019s carbon reduction targets set out in the Climate Change Act, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) developed a sector reduction strategy in 2011. \u00a0It required Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to set carbon reduction targets for 2020 and implement carbon management plans to achieve them. \u00a0Universities have now reduced total emissions by 10% from the 2005 baseline. \u00a0This is a great achievement especially against the backdrop of significant commercial growth. \u00a0The sector however is only projected to reduce emissions by 15% by 2020, well behind the sector target of 43%. \u00a0Our analysis suggests that more than 70% of universities are not on track to achieve their own carbon targets for 2020, a slight improvement on last year. \u00a0This year\u2019s analysis also looks at research intensive institutions in more detail. \u00a0The 20 Russell Group universities in England are responsible for about half the sector\u2019s emissions and only the University of Birmingham is currently on track to achieve their carbon targets. \u00a0Universities need to update their carbon management plans to ensure they are still fit for purpose and able to achieve their carbon reduction targets. \u00a0It is important that this review aligns the carbon and commercial strategies and incorporates the wider opportunities from the sustainability agenda. \u00a0Many universities have started to consider how environmental and sustainability issues will shape the risk and opportunity landscape for the next 10 years, and are developing a broader sustainability strategy covering academic, operational and financial management.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
So, some good(wish) news, but a gloomy prognosis overall. \u00a0HEFCE won't mind all that much, having given up on carbon. \u00a0They might like the rainbow logo though which has been described by one sector-leading commentator as \"Spiffing\".<\/p>\n
Write Green has 4 main recommendations for universities to recalibrate their carbon management plans:<\/p>\n
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- Review your performance<\/li>\n
- Benchmark against peers and best practice<\/li>\n
- Identify areas for improvement<\/li>\n
- Upgrade to an integrated sustainability strategy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n