Carbon, energy and water
What causes climate change?
The primary cause of climate change is carbon dioxide emissions; carbon dioxide is responsible for 64% of man-made global warming and carbon dioxide levels have increased by about 45% since the Industrial Revolution began. It is therefore important that we measure our carbon emissions and work to reduce them.
Carbon emissions fall into 3 ‘scopes’
- Scope 1 - refers to direct emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. For Birmingham City University (BCU) this means the consumption of gas, gas oil, petrol and diesel, and refrigerants across the estate.
- Scope 2 – refers to the indirect emissions that BCU is responsible for from consuming electricity.
- Scope 3 – refers to the indirect emissions created elsewhere because of BCU’s consumption of products and services. This covers everything associated with the organisation, including water and wastewater treatment, business travel, commuting, purchases, construction, waste, etc.
What is BCU doing to reduce carbon?
BCU is targeting net-zero in scopes 1 & 2 by 2030 and scope 3 by 2037/28. The trajectory BCU will follow is aligned with the Science-Based Targets initiative.
The energy that is supplied to BCU has been audited and verified by an independent third party, EcoAct. They have certified that our zero-carbon, 100% renewable electricity supply is backed by Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates (REGOs).
An updated carbon management strategy is being developed by the Energy Manager that will outline how BCU achieves its net-zero targets.
Further details of our progress, including graphs and figures, can be accessed here (in folder).
How will BCU reach its targets?
Carbon management plans
The University’s Travel Plan 2025-30 reports scope 3 emissions from Business Travel, Staff Commuting, UK Student Travel & International Student Travel. Additionally, baseline emissions, targets and progress towards these emission goals can be viewed within the plan.