Pool decarbonisation
Decarbonising our most energy-intensive sports facilities
About the project
The swimming pool was the single biggest gas-consuming building on campus. Decarbonising it was therefore a major opportunity to reduce fossil fuel use and cut emissions from Loughborough Sport’s operations.
The project replaced the pool’s gas-fired boiler plant with air-source heat pumps, helping transition the facility towards lower-carbon heating.
Key facts
- Air-source heat pumps switched on in October 2025
- £2.6 million project supported by Salix funding
- Expected reduction of around 350 tCO₂e per year
- Electricity for the heat pumps supplied through a Zero Carbon for Business tariff
- Expected 13% reduction in Loughborough Sport Scope 1 emissions
Why the pool mattered
Swimming pools are energy-intensive facilities, requiring consistent heating and complex operational management. At Loughborough, the pool’s historic reliance on gas made it a priority for decarbonisation.
By moving away from fossil fuel heating, the project helps reduce direct emissions while protecting the performance and reliability expected from a world-renowned sports facility.
Supporting low-carbon sport infrastructure
The pool decarbonisation project is part of a wider commitment to champion low-carbon practices and sustainable infrastructure in sport.
It demonstrates how major estate projects can support climate goals while maintaining facilities that serve students, athletes, staff, partners and the wider sporting community.
Building the future of low-carbon sport
Infrastructure plays a vital role in the environmental impact of sport. Through projects like pool decarbonisation, Loughborough is taking practical steps to reduce emissions and demonstrate leadership across the sector
