Shaping Agendas in HE: The impact of potential changing energy

‘Green’ issues are widely discussed these days and the target for the UK to achieve an 80% carbon reduction by 2050 is well known. Less well understood are the details of the plans for how this target is likely to be met. The implications of this trajectory to a low carbon society are already being felt and the pace of change feels quick.

The changes expected over the next 10 – 15 years are, if anything, more significant and within a timescale often considered within university estates strategies. An understanding of the government’s intended direction through the 2020’s is therefore critical to de-risk this aspect of estates development and maintenance.

Below is a summary document about the Shaping Agendas report, plus the report itself, which provides further information on the relevant issues to higher education estates.

This report, funded jointly by Arup and the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) is intended to highlight the risks and opportunities that should be included within estates strategies currently under development, focusing on four key areas:

• Energy efficiency & building design
• Energy supply
• Adaptation & resilience
• Financial incentives & burdens.

Thanks to the AUDE Sustainability Advisory Group, Chaired by Roger Bond (UEA) for commissioning this work.