Reducing the University's travel carbon footprint

The University’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040 is supported by the recent update to its Climate Conscious Travel and Expenses Policy.

The policy helps staff select the most sustainable mode of transport for University-funded business trips as it makes rail the preferred mode of transport for business trips in Great Britain. Flying is permissible only under a limited number of exceptions including onward travel, health needs or care commitments, and industrial action in the rail sector.

It is hoped the policy's refresh will consolidate our position as an exemplar of good practice in aligning business travel choices with our climate commitments. Emissions from travel are currently amongst the top three emissions sources – gas, electricity and travel. These are the emissions that we have influence over, so the University is hopeful that with the recent policy update, emissions from business trips continue to fall alongside other emissions categories in the University's carbon footprint.

In addition to reducing travel emissions, there is potential for staff to make more sustainable choices to help the University to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and support ongoing activity by Estates to reduce energy use on campus. Early data for the Building Management System upgrade already indicates a 10% reduction in purchased electricity and a 9% reduction in gas.

You can read the University’s annual Carbon Footprint Reports here, and for other sustainability updates, please sign-up here to our Sustainability Newsletter.