Universities should lead climate change charge

Seats of learning have traditionally been crucibles for revolution and upheaval, and so it should be with climate change policy in the UK, the government claims.

Although somewhat removed from the sandal wearing, dread-locked iconoclasts that he appears to be appealing to, secretary for state for business, innovation and skills, Lord Mandelson announced this week that universities are uniquely positioned when it comes to leading the charge for aggressive climate change targets.

"Universities can play a vital role in our economic recovery, especially in advancing a strategy for real and lasting change in order to reduce our carbon footprint," said Mandelson.

Mandelson's comments are part of a consultation announced this week by the Higher Education Funding Council For England, Universites UK and GuildHE to develop a strategy for carbon reduction across the UK's universities and higher eduction establishments.

The proposals include that the higher education sector commits to reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and by at least 34 per cent by 2020, against a 1990 baseline; aspires to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2020 and by 100 per cent by 2050, against 1990 levels; and commits to reducing scope 3 emissions and to improving measurement of scope 3 emissions with the intention of setting targets for these emissions in the future.

Scope 1 emissions refer to direct emissions from sources such as boilers, furnaces and vehicle while scope 2 emissions are those generated from electricity consumed by the organisation. Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions such as commuting and procurement.

According to the HEFCE, it will not specify how the carbon plans should be developed or what they should contain but it will expect a number of key elements to be present. "These include: a carbon
baseline and targets; an implementation plan with resources allocated; a commitment to monitor progress towards targets regularly and to report publicly annually; and for the plan to be signed off by the governing body," the organisation stated.

Commenting on the consultation, HEFCE chief executive Sir Alan Langlands said that higher education was uniquely placed to play a leading role in helping to meet the UK carbon reduction targets.

"This can be achieved through the skills and knowledge of its students and graduates, through its research and exchange of knowledge, and through the strategies and operations of every university and college," he said.