Coventry University decarbonisation strategy, UK

We are supporting Coventry University on their journey to net zero through a successful £12.9m funding application to the UK Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). 

A model for sustainability in higher education  

Coventry University is leading by example in sustainability for the higher education sector. It is committed to achieving net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 2030-2031, while also reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 30 percent over the same period.

In January 2023 we were appointed to provide advisory services to support the university in preparing a detailed energy audit and fully costed plan for achieving their net-zero targets. We also assisted in developing a successful multi-million-pound funding application to the UK Government’s PSDS.

Planning and funding a green future

After completing a comprehensive energy audit, we developed project feasibility studies and identified the costs for decarbonising a total of 74 buildings across Coventry University’s campus. We also created a detailed design guide for their new-build zero-carbon assets and refurbished properties.

An initial phase of works (to reduce carbon emissions arising from the use of gas for space heating by a quarter) identified a total budget of £17.9m. We then worked with the client to develop a PSDS application within a tight timeframe.

Following its review, the application successfully secured a funding package of £12.9m for the university, covering more than 70 percent of the project’s total budget expenditure. The funds will be used to decarbonise, refurbish and connect 11 of the 74 buildings to Coventry District Energy Company’s low-carbon heating network.

A scope of works for sustainability

As a result of the successful funding bid, over 500kW peak of solar PV will be installed to expand the use of renewable energy on the campus. Once the works are complete, more than 1,300 tonnes of carbon emissions will be eliminated annually and the university will save over £140,000 a year on energy costs.

Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor, Coventry University Group, commented:

For many years Coventry University has been taking positive strides towards our target of net zero and this grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will help us with the next steps along that road.

“Sustainable development and social responsibility are central to what we stand for and we are working to speed up society’s journey to net zero and clean growth through our excellent research and education.”