SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

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SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

In February 2020, Buckinghamshire New University pledged to go carbon net zero by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the Government’s target - as part of a Love Our Planet day across its campuses. The University had already exceeding the carbon footprint target for 2020, with a 64% reduction since 2011.

Our energy-saving initiatives include: –Investing in a modern building management system has enabled greater control of utility spend. Our building management system controls heating, cooling and hot water, and increases the amount of time when the plant can be turned off.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, this has enabled building services systems to be monitored and managed successfully off campus.

We have installed LED lighting in refurbished areas of our campuses, and detectors to turn off lights when rooms are not in use.

150 kWp of solar panels have been installed on the main High Wycombe campus. We create surplus energy which we sell back to the National Grid.

All the electricity we purchase and consume comes from a renewable source.

We have installed low flow shower heads in our student accommodation, and have fitted flow controls to urinals.

Insulation has been improved through double glazed windows and roof improvements.

Our mechanically-ventilated buildings recover heat before air is expelled, which is used to preheat air entering the building to save on energy consumption.

Presence detection is now being used in many teaching rooms to control heating systems.

A 140% increase in the amount of renewable energy generated on campus.

Electric vehicles comprise 66% of our fleet.

We specify that our IT equipment must be energy efficient.

A wildflower garden at our High Wycombe Campus supports biodiversity, and we have created green roof spaces at our Hughenden Student Village Halls of Residence.