Sustainability

Zero by 2040

The University of Edinburgh has committed to become zero carbon by 2040. The University's Climate Strategy 2016 lays out a comprehensive whole institution approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation in order to achieve its ambitious targets.

A whole institution approach

The United Kingdom, along with more than 170 other countries, officially signed the Paris Agreement in 2016. The agreement sets out a global target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and a decisive call to action to mitigate dangerous climate change caused by human activity.

To meet this challenge, and to support Scotland's and the world's transition to a low carbon economy, the University of Edinburgh will reduce its carbon emissions per £ million turnover by 50% from a 2007/08 baseline, and will become a net zero carbon university by 2040.

To meet these obligations we will take action on research, learning and teaching, operations, responsible investment, and will investigate renewables opportunities.

It will use the University’s five campuses as living laboratories for learning and to test innovative ideas that can be replicated elsewhere.

Read the strategy online

Read the climate strategy (PDF)

Easy to print version (PDF)

Request a printed or accessible copy

If you would like a printed copy, or if you require a version of the guide in another format, such as high-contrast, please contact us using the details below. We're available during working hours Monday - Friday.

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  • Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Contact details

Address

Street

Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability
The Boilerhouse
High School Yards

City
Edinburgh
Post Code
EH1 1LT