Sector and National requirements
Climate Change Act 2008
The Climate Change Act 2008 sets in statute the national requirements to reduce CO2 emissions by 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 from a 1990 baseline to help the transition to a low carbon economy.
HEFCE Capital Investment Framework (CIF2)
A combined consultation in 2009 by HEFCE, Universities UK and Guild HE led to the HE Sector making a commitment to target the national targets for greenhouse gas reductions, using a 2005/6 baseline as data for 1990 is incomplete. CCCU responded to the subsequent consultation in support of the linkage of carbon management and space utilisation for the second HEFCE Capital Investment Framework (CIF2). The University has made its submission under the CIF2 process, confirming that it will publish a detailed Carbon Management plan by March 2011. The Carbon Management Programme is therefore an important activity for the University in support of the HE sectors’ commitment to lead by example in reducing CO2 emissions.
CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
CCU was obliged to join the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme due to its level of consumption of electricity. In the October 2010 Comprehensive Spending review the Coalition Government announced that the payments made under the CRC scheme would not be recycled but would be retained to contribute to public spending. Details of the revised scheme are unclear at the time of writing, but based on the initial information the minimum cost of contributing to the CRC by University is £112k per annum. Reductions in carbon emissions will have a direct and proportional impact in reducing this cost.
Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
For buildings with a total useful floor area of over 1,000m2 the University is obliged to show a Display Energy Certificate clearly visible to the public which shows the building’s energy performance.
Reducing University Spend
Reducing carbon emissions from buildings will have consequential benefits in reducing overall spend on utilities and to help avoid potential future utility cost increases. In 2010/11 budget for spend on electricity and gas is £1.65m. Investing to avoid carbon emissions, utilities spend and potential energy cost increases are major drivers behind this plan.
