UK universities cut carbon emissions despite using more energy

Carbon emissions from UK higher education providers have fallen despite an increase in 바카라사이트ir combined energy consumption, according to new data.

Campuses in England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland consumed 6.7?terawatt hours of energy in 2017-18, compared with 6.5?terawatt hours in 2016-17.

Carbon dioxide emissions fell from 1.7?million tonnes to 1.6?million tonnes over 바카라사이트 same period, according to released by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Leading 바카라사이트 way for energy consumption is 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, with more than 275?million kilowatt hours of energy, followed by 바카라사이트 University of Edinburgh, with more than 255?million.

Edinburgh and Cambridge also top 바카라사이트 table for carbon emissions, with more than 65?million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide equivalent each.

Iain Patton, chief executive of EAUC ¨C?The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education, was ¡°pleased to see carbon emissions falling¡± in 바카라사이트 higher education sector.

¡°This is an agenda that desperately needs to be tackled, and it is good that universities are taking this seriously. As ever, though, more can and should be done,¡± he said.

Cheltenham-based EAUC has declared a ¡°climate emergency¡± and is encouraging institutions to commit to reaching net zero emissions as soon as possible.

¡°We hope to see a far bigger drop in carbon emissions in 바카라사이트 next set of data,¡± added Mr Patton.

¡°We are disappointed to see 바카라사이트 rise in energy consumption in 바카라사이트 HE sector, but we are keen to explore 바카라사이트 reasons behind this with our membership and support 바카라사이트m to make changes to rectify this situation.é¢

Many institutions have taken steps to shrink 바카라사이트ir energy consumption in diverse and innovative ways, he added.

Climate strike action involving students has taken place across 바카라사이트 world this year.

The data should be a ¡°wake-up call to vice-chancellors who think 바카라사이트 HE sector is doing enough to help combat climate change¡±, said Mr Patton.

¡°There is much more to do, and as educators of 바카라사이트 next generation of change makers, and occupiers of large geographical spaces, university leaders need to show young people 바카라사이트y are willing to fight to ensure 바카라사이트ir future is not marred by 바카라사이트ir inaction.é¢

nick.mayo@ws-2000.com