2023/24 Energy and Carbon Report
The most recent 2023/24 Energy and Carbon ReportLink opens in a new window can now be read here.
We have also developed an interactive campus model to visualise our building energy, carbon and water performance for the 2023/24 academic year. This is available for anyone to view here https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/98d8a06780db4bd98ba29f57ba274229Link opens in a new window
What are scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions?
- Scope 1 Carbon emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the University. These emissions result mainly from the burning of natural gas in boilers and combined heat and power engines, with a small contribution from other fuel sources used for heating, University owned transport, and leakage of refrigerant gases.
- Scope 2 emissions are emissions from the generation of energy purchased by the University. For the University, these emissions are wholly due to the purchase of grid electricity. We report these emissions based both on the electricity we purchase (which is 100% renewable) and what we consume (which is a mix of all electricity sources connected to the national electricity network) - these are known as market based and location-based emissions, respectively.
- Scope 3 emissions are all indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 that occur in the value chain of the University, including both upstream and downstream emissions. Scope 3 makes up most of the University’s carbon footprint, with travel and procurement the largest categories.
Source: GHG Protocol
2023/24 Emissions Overview
Our total combined emissions for 2023/24 are represented in the chart below. In this chart Scope 2 emissions from electricity are represented on a Market Basis.
![A pie chart showing the distribution of CO2 emissions totalling 198,925 tCO2e. The chart is divided into three main scopes: Scope 1 (12.2%), Scope 2 (Electricity) [Market Basis] (0.1%), and Scope 3. Scope 3 is further broken down into categories: Purchased Goods & Services (43.5%), Energy T&D and WTT (3.6%), Waste (0.1%), Business Travel (5.1%), Employee Commuting (4.6%), Student Travel (30.6%), and Third Party Energy Related Activities Not Included in Scopes One or Two (T&D Losses) (<0.05%). Each category is represented by a different colour segment.](total.png)
Our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions relate almost entirely to the energy we use. The University campus has grown a great deal over recent years, despite this, our Scope 1 and 2 emissions are falling, and we have plans in place to reduce emissions further - see our Energy Strategy.Link opens in a new window
Scope 1 Emissions
In 23/24 our Scope 1 emissions reduced by 18.9% compared to the previous year and 17.5% compared to our baseline year, 2018/19.
Scope 2 Emissions (Market Basis)
Since October 2021, all directly purchased electricity comes from 100% Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) backed renewable supplies. This means that market-based emissions from the purchase of electricity remain very low.
*18/19 and 19/20 market-based emissions are reported here from our supplier’s fuel-mix disclosure from that period. REGOs were not purchased for this electricity.
Scope 2 Emissions (Location Basis)
Our location-based Scope 2 emissions saw a 34.2% increase on 22/23 and a slight 4.3% increase on 18/19 (our baseline year).
This increase is due to the additional grid electricity purchased following a reduction in self-generation from gas. The reduction in Scope 1 emissions from gas exceeds Scope 2 increases and, as grid electricity continues to decarbonise, the benefits of “fuel switching” increase.
Relative Scope 1 and 2 Carbon Emissions
Although our reduction targets are absolute, the charts below highlight how our emissions relative to three key factors, per full-time equivalent (FTE), per m2 of serviced building floor area, and per £1000 University income, have changed over the years.
Scope 3 Emissions
Scope 3 emissions include all emissions associated with the University value chain not included in Scopes 1 or 2. Total emissions are challenging to estimate; methodologies are still evolving and subject to many assumptions across significant categories (e.g Procurement and Student Travel). 2023/24 Scope 3 emissions are estimated at 174,426tCO2e, representing over of 80% of total University emissions.
The chart below shows our historical Scope 3 emissions by category.
Our Commitment to Reducing Carbon Emissions from Campus Accommodation
The Energy and Sustainability Team is actively working with a range of departments to reduce carbon emissions linked to student accommodation, both on and off campus.
On Campus
We have been working to reduce the carbon emissions of the student accommodation buildings owned and managed by the University.
For the 2023/24 academic year, total Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions from on-campus student residences were approximately 7,536 tCO₂e. We are committed to driving these emissions down in line with the University's Energy Strategy, which focuses on Reduce, Decarbonise, and Smart.
We also work with the Accommodation Team to provide posters in all kitchens and work with the Residential Community Assistants to offer peer-to-peer support on reducing carbon emissions. We have launched campaigns including Be A Recycling HeroLink opens in a new window to reduce the waste and improve recycling rate at University accommodations.
Off Campus
We also support students living off campus, in housing not owned or managed by the University, to reduce their environmental impact.
Through the Warwick Green RewardsLink opens in a new window behaviour change app, we encourage students to save energy and water, reduce waste, and adopt circular economy principles in their daily routines. In addition, we offer free Climate Literacy TrainingLink opens in a new window to help students understand their role in tackling the climate crisis and making more sustainable choices in everyday life.
University reporting is aligned to the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol standard and supplemented by EAUC (Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges) – Higher Education specific guidance for disclosure. Our Carbon reporting methodology is available on request by contacting sustainability@warwick.ac.uk
