The University of Edinburgh, UK

Positive Futures: Addressing the climate crisis through a whole institution approach

The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity, and the University has demonstrated its commitment to playing a leading role in creating a more sustainable world through implementing a whole institution approach. The University’s Climate Change Strategy from 2016, sets out the significant steps it will take to achieve its carbon neutral commitment by 2040. To date, the University has reduced its carbon emissions by 15 per cent since 2007-08, during a period when turnover increased by one hundred per cent. A total of £7.4 million has been invested since 2016-17 in projects, delivering savings of £1 million and estimated annual saving of over 3,000 tonnes CO2e.

A new Sustainable Travel Policy has been developed to actively promote climate conscious travel. Significant work has been undertaken to ensure the University’s investments are positively responding to the climate crisis. And the University has been proactively developing a range of accessible education resources, as well as harnessing its academic expertise to help local and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Adaptation and carbon sequestration project impacts are maximised through careful long term forward planning.
2. The Climate Crisis is one of the most important issues for staff and students at Edinburgh.
3. Climate strategies do not stand still, they evolve over time to reflect changing priorities and contexts.