To deliver net zero by 2045, RGU will need to further reduce its emissions by over 50% by 2030 and to net zero by 2045 (or earlier). This will require targeted actions, interventions and choices by staff and students over the next few years.
In the period 2015-17, the University reduced its carbon footprint by 27%, the highest reduction in absolute emissions achieved by any Scottish university.
The reduction was made possible by the investment received from the Scottish Funding Council’s University Carbon Reduction Fund. The fund was also used to upgrade the University campus car parks lighting to LED, resulting in less power usage; upgrades to air handling units in the Aberdeen Business School, reducing energy consumption and prolonging their operational life; and installation of variable speed drives to the pumps that supply hot water in RGU Sport and the Ishbel Gordon Building, reducing energy usage.
RGU changed its electricity supplier in 2019 and now has access to 100% green electricity across the campus. The focus is now shifting to address the emissions associated with RGU’s use of natural gas for heating, staff and student commuting and RGU supply chain activities, which altogether account for over 90% of RGU’s remaining CO2 emissions.
As part of the carbon reduction plan, RGU is: actively supporting the ‘Go-Green’ initiative, (including the cycle scheme); has acquired two electric business vehicles; installed electric charging points on campus; and, partnered with Co-Wheels to provide access to electric and hydrogen powered vehicles for use by RGU staff (saving around four tonnes of CO2 emissions to date). Further information can be found on RGU’s commuting emission tracker.
The introduction of hydrogen buses in Aberdeen will be a great opportunity to significantly reduce transport emissions for both staff and students.