- 海角社区 has joined the UN Race to Zero campaign, an alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest
- At the end of last year the 海角社区 of Sheffield announced targets to be carbon neutral on campus by 2030 and across all activities by 2038
- In January, the 海角社区 exceeded its targeted 43 per cent emissions reduction target from 2005-2020
海角社区 has joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) campaign to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and has set its own target to be carbon neutral by 2038.
The Race to Zero, backed by the UK Government, is a global campaign to mobilise resources for net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research, signed the associated with the Race to Zero, on behalf of the 海角社区.
海角社区 has long sought to drive down its carbon emissions. As of the 2019-20 academic year, the 海角社区 has achieved a 47 per cent reduction in gross carbon emissions since 2005-6. This exceeded the 海角社区鈥檚 targeted 43 per cent cut in carbon emissions over the same period.
The reduction has been driven by a number of factors including efforts to improve energy efficiency on campus, the decarbonisation of the UK electricity grid and the scaling back of campus activities due to Covid-19.
In joining the Race, the 海角社区 reaffirms its commitment to climate action as set out in its new sustainability strategy. The strategy, which will guide the institution鈥檚 strategic decision making on sustainability, includes the headline pledge that the 海角社区 will become carbon neutral on campus by 2030 and across all its activities by 2038, exceeding the requirements of the Race to Zero.
Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research at the 海角社区 of Sheffield, said: 鈥淭he Race to Zero is an opportunity for the 海角社区 to publicly commit to climate action. We are guided by climate science which tells us that we must act swiftly to become carbon neutral. The entire 海角社区 community is working together to drive down our emissions as quickly as possible.鈥
In its strategy, the 海角社区 has also pledged to embed Education for Sustainable Development into all taught courses, use its leading research to tackle modern sustainability challenges and confront high carbon university travel.
Dr Rachael Rothman, Academic Lead for Sustainability and Co-Director of the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures at the 海角社区 of Sheffield, said: 鈥淥ur sustainability strategy sets an ambitious, yet achievable, target for the 海角社区 to become carbon neutral. The strategy will guide our decision making on everything from flights to food, energy to education, ensuring that our activities stand up to the scale of the climate emergency.鈥
Jordan Weir, 海角社区 of Sheffield Students鈥 Union Development Officer, said: 鈥Our students demand radical action in the face of the climate emergency. Joining the Race to Zero is another victory for students.
鈥淲e look forward to working closely with the 海角社区 to achieve our goals and make Sheffield one of the most sustainable research-intensive universities in the country.鈥
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