26 Sep 2019
Our response to the global climate crisis
As further gatherings take place this week to express concern about the growing climatic crisis faced by our planet, it is timely we share this update on our work and approach at Loughborough University.
Global Climate and Ecological Change – the Loughborough University Response Group
Chaired by Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Tracy Bhamra, this new initiative, which includes representation of senior academic experts from the University, will gather and synthesise information and data, plan and articulate the University’s response to global climatic and ecological change. This includes:
- Establishing the impact of our research and enterprise portfolios, and opportunities for their further development.
- Reviewing the preparedness, comprehensiveness and future development of our teaching portfolio (including Personal Best), in relation to future climatic change.
- Determining actions that, as a large organisation, we can reasonably pursue in response, ensuring such measures are both environmentally and financially sustainable.
The group will report to Senate and its appropriate sub-committees by the end of the 2019-20 academic year with an action plan.
An updated Energy Strategy will be launched later this year with a zero-carbon target by 2050 and priority given to projects that will decarbonise the estate putting us on a trajectory to achieve a zero-carbon footprint in line with Government targets. The on-site Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units continue to form an integral part of our ‘low carbon’ thermal and electrical infrastructure. 26% of the University’s annual electricity load was produced locally by the CHP Units in 2018. Small investments in fossil fuel organisations are being divested in line with a commitment we gave to students in 2018.
Our major research beacons making a difference
The University has four research Global Challenges that reflect the major research strengths of the University. These are:
Changing Environments and Infrastructure
Health and Wellbeing
Energy
Secure and Resilient Societies
We are pioneering the development of new approaches to renewable and clean energy generation to develop and deliver substantial, affordable, durable and environmentally benign energy options for present and future generations. This includes:
- New and renewable energy technologies
- Networks, integration and storage
- Intelligent energy
- Cleaner fossil fuel generation
- Nuclear energy and nuclear waste management