New figures reveal that the majority of universities in the UK have failed to meet their carbon reduction targets. The higher education sector had set a goal to reduce emissions directly controlled by institutions by 43% between 2005-06 and 2020-21, however, 59% of universities did not meet this target, according to the estates management record at the Higher Education Statistics Agency. This data has been analysed by the People and Planet University League to rank universities’ efforts to reduce carbon. Cardiff Metropolitan University topped the league table for the first time this year with a 65% decrease in emissions over the 15-year timeframe. Interestingly, Oxbridge may top other league tables, but they are slipping down the carbon rankings. The University of Oxford has fallen 16 places to 40th, while Cambridge fell two places to 86th.
Russell Group universities have improved with two – the University of Exeter and University College London – in the top 10 and, in general, the group has scored higher than last year. However, only 33% of universities (50 of 153) have a commitment to fully screen out all fossil fuel investments written into a valid policy, and only 7% (11) have made a commitment through policy to directly reinvest in community renewable energy and/or renewable energy projects on campus. Additionally, only 3% of the sector (four) have committed to cutting recruitment ties to the fossil fuel and mining industries.
Jack Ruane, the university league manager at People and Planet, said that it is disappointing that 59% of UK universities have failed to achieve the carbon reduction target highlighting the importance of holding the sector accountable via short-term assessments of actual reductions in carbon emissions, rather than celebrating net-zero target-setting, which are often vague on how offsetting will be achieved. Laura Clayson, the climate justice campaigns manager at People and Planet, urged universities to sever investment ties with the fossil fuel industry and act upon their responsibility to communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis and fossil fuel extraction impacts.
