Carbon emissions halved in goal to reach net zero

Latest data shows that the University of Reading has halved its carbon emissions over the last 13 years, taking the institution one step closer to its ambition of being one of the greenest universities in the world.

The achievement represents a significant milestone in the University’s target to reach net zero carbon by 2030. The University has reduced its carbon emissions by 51% per cent since 2008/2009, equating to more than 167,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide, as outlined in the recently published Environmental Sustainability Report 2021/22.

Other key successes highlighted in the report included:

• Reducing water usage by 43% since 2011/2012 – exceeding our original target of 35%
• Reaching the University’s target of having 87% of all commutes to campus by staff and students to be via sustainable means
• Achieving the goal of recycling or reusing 60% of all waste generated on site

Dan Fernbank, Energy and Sustainability Director at the University of Reading, said: “Addressing climate change and ensuring environmental sustainability is at the heart of the University’s mission and hitting these targets is a sign of our success on this path. This means our vision to become one of the greenest universities in the world is becoming a reality.

“Setting ambitious sustainability targets - such as our commitment to become a net zero carbon university by 2030 - is all very well and good, but it is delivering against these targets that really matters. There is much to celebrate, but much more yet to be done before we achieve all our goals.”