Major step in carbon neutral aims for university

A UNIVERSITY in Yorkshire has launched a partnership with an international engineering company with the aim of becoming carbon neutral.

The University of Hull’s vision to slash its carbon emissions by 2027 will be mapped out in a detailed strategic masterplan in partnership with Siemens.

The firm has already invested hundreds of millions of pounds in a wind turbine blade factory in Hull, and is building a new train factory in Goole.

The green energy initiative aims to reduce emissions and find new, renewable ways to power the campus.

Stephen Dale, the university’s director of estates and facilities, said: “This project is an integral part of our strategy to become carbon neutral in time for our centenary anniversary in 2027.”

He added that the masterplan will help to drive down carbon emissions, as well as implementing some significant infrastructure projects to help the university reach its “ambitious goal”.

The first phase of the scheme will see Siemens examine the university’s current campus and energy consumption. It is hoped improvements to existing infrastructure and increasing efficiency can reduce energy consumption by as much as 15 per cent.

New renewable technologies to power the campus in order to reduce carbon emissions will then be explored.

Plans to use the transition to carbon neutrality to enhance the experiences of students and their learning forms the final part of the masterplan.

Simon Burgess, the renewable energy project developer at Siemens, said: “Siemens is proud to have played a part in Hull’s transformation in the last decade and we feel this project marks another step forward for the city.”