A grant worth over £3 million has been awarded to the University of Portsmouth which will bring it a step closer to its ambition of becoming climate positive by 2030.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant was awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and is delivered by Salix Finance. The grant will contribute to works to buildings on the University campus, including the University Library, Anglesea teaching building and student accommodation, Harry Law Halls.
The grant will enable the University to make a number of improvements to these buildings which make them more energy efficient and avoid the use of fossil fuels, thus reducing their carbon footprint. Upgrades will include replacing the current fossil fuelled heating plants with all electric air source heat pumps powered by renewable electricity.
We have an ambitious target of becoming a climate positive university by 2030 and this guides every aspect of our operations - from development of our campus and environmentally friendly catering to sustainable corporate systems and procedures and, of course, our world leading research.
Bernie Topham, Chief Operating Officer, University of Portsmouth
High impact fabric and efficiency improvements will also take place, such as replacing the original single glazing in the Library and insulating the wall cavities in Anglesea building. New building management controls will ensure that energy use in the buildings can be more tightly controlled and adapt to the specific environment and temperature. In addition, old fluorescent lights will be replaced with newer more efficient LEDs.
Bernie Topham, Chief Operating Officer, University of Portsmouth, says: "We have an ambitious target of becoming a climate positive university by 2030 and this guides every aspect of our operations - from development of our campus and environmentally friendly catering to sustainable corporate systems and procedures and, of course, our world leading research. This award from the Department for Net Zero and Energy Security is another big step in our journey to get there."
Director of Programmes at Salix Finance Ian Rodger said: "We are delighted to be working with the University of Portsmouth on their decarbonisation journey driving down carbon emissions. "The university is working hard to meet its ambitions to become a climate positive university by 2030 and we will be here to support them. "The university has already made significant progress and we look forward to the next step."
We are delighted to be working with the University of Portsmouth on their decarbonisation journey driving down carbon emissions.
Ian Rodger , Director of Programmes at Salix Finance
The University is working hard to improve its impact on the environment and has already made good progress:
- Our electricity is 100% renewable
- We've increased our recycling rate from 40% to 70% since 2011
- We're aiming for all our new buildings to achieve 'Outstanding' ratings for sustainable design from BREEAM (the world's leading sustainability validation and certification system) and 'A' rating for energy use and carbon emissions
- Our new Ravelin Sports Centre is one of the most sustainable sports facilities in the UK
- We currently waste only 2% of our food
- We're eliminating single-use plastic from products sold in our campus cafes
- Our graduation gowns are made from 70% recycled polyester, which is manufactured from recycled plastic waste. Every gown contains a minimum of 550g of recycled plastic waste, which equates to around 30 plastic bottles (500ml). The other 30% is viscose for a soft finish
