Ulster University

Ulster University, operating within the education services industry in GB, is actively engaged in addressing its carbon emissions and pursuing climate commitments.

Emissions Data:

For the reporting year 2024, Ulster University reported total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions of approximately 87.7 million kg CO2e. This comprised:

• Scope 1: Approximately 4.5 million kg CO2e
• Scope 2: Approximately 3.3 million kg CO2e
• Scope 3: Approximately 79.9 million kg CO2e, with purchased goods and services being the largest contributor (approximately 53.8 million kg CO2e), followed by employee commute (approximately 20.9 million kg CO2e).

In the previous reporting year, 2023, total emissions were approximately 71.6 million kg CO2e, broken down as:

• Scope 1: Approximately 4.8 million kg CO2e
• Scope 2: Approximately 3.4 million kg CO2e
• Scope 3: Approximately 63.4 million kg CO2e, with purchased goods and services accounting for approximately 42.1 million kg CO2e and employee commute for approximately 20.4 million kg CO2e.

Historical data indicates a significant reduction in combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions. For instance, in 2006, these emissions stood at approximately 19.9 million kg CO2e, which decreased to approximately 7.8 million kg CO2e by 2024. This represents a reduction of about 61.0%.

Climate Commitments and Reduction Initiatives:

Ulster University is undertaking a "Net Zero Modelling" exercise to identify interventions across its campuses, operations, and supply chain to establish a viable pathway to achieving net zero carbon emissions. This initiative is informing a wider campus decarbonisation masterplan.

Furthermore, in 2023/24, Estates Services began a "campus Net Zero Buildings Project" to assess options, costs, and potential carbon reductions for various university building types. This project aims to identify suitable net zero campus initiatives for phased delivery, contributing to long-term decarbonisation goals. The university has exceeded its target within its last carbon management plan for reducing campus operational carbon emissions (Scopes 1 and 2).