Much of our research at the University of Nottingham is focussed on tackling emissions in some of our biggest industries – food, aviation, construction, ground transportation, and buildings.

But in order to drive change, we need to show leadership and demonstrate our commitment to these values. The way that we operate can have a substantial impact on emission reductions locally, nationally and internationally.

As a university, we have committed to reducing our carbon emissions. This includes reducing the gas and electric carbon output on our UK campuses by 63% by 2030.

We’re developing strategies to help us achieve this. We’re putting a greater emphasis on the refurbishment of existing buildings (rather than building new ones) and introducing a new catering strategy with a greater emphasis on sustainability.

Later this year we’ll publish a new carbon management plan setting out the investment and changes we need to make to achieve our carbon reduction targets. This will include investment in our buildings to make them more energy efficient, as well as investment in on-campus energy generation and heating networks on University Park and Sutton Bonington.

There are also plans to improve the glazing of walls, doors and roofs, in addition to the systems that control the temperature of our buildings. We’re also consulting with university faculties and departments on how we can reduce our carbon emissions generated from business travel – especially aviation.

Hedgehogs and bats

Environmental sustainability plays a central role in our university strategy and we actively promote biodiversity on our campuses. Did you know that we’re now recognised as a Hedgehog Friendly Campus?

We have 10 green roofs across our buildings on University Park and Jubilee campuses. These help reduce rainwater runoff and flooding, as well as providing environments for butterflies, bees, bats and birds to thrive in. We now have seven species of bat living in various habitats across our campuses.

Visit out Sustainability webpages to find out more about sustainability at the University of Nottingham.