Energy and carbon
Kingston University is committed to reducing its carbon emissions. Find out about our net zero targets, our carbon reduction plans including decarbonisation of our operations, our supply chains and indirect emissions through travel, waste and third party halls. You'll also like to read our Energy Policy and our carbon budget initiatives.
Join us on our journey to lower emissions and reach net zero
We are working hard to meet our energy and carbon management targets.
We recognise human-induced climate change is one of the world's greatest threats. We also recognise our day-to-day operations as a University cause the release of carbon emissions and other Greenhouse Gases. We therefore have a duty to reduce these emissions where possible.
To reduce our impact, we have committed to an ambitious target to achieve net zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by the end of the academic year 2038/2039 with a target for net zero carbon Scope 3 emissions by 2050/2051.
We are working hard to reduce our emissions associated with all our operations. To achieve this, we are:
- Procuring renewable energy
- Delivering fabric first building improvements and installing energy efficiency technology
- Improving the control and use of building systems
- Transferring all our fleet to electric vehicles and supporting EV charging at all sites
- Using low and zero-carbon technologies
Reducing emissions
Our carbon management progress
To date, we have reduced our operational Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 68% from a 2005/6 baseline. In 2023-24, we updated our baseline to include Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Our carbon emissions reporting follows the EAUC's Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework (SCEF) which is based on the GHG Protocol.
Our carbon reduction plan sets out our actions to meet our Scopes 1 and 2, and Scope 3 net zero carbon emissions targets. All actions relate to a 2023-24 carbon footprint baseline.
- Scope 1: 5%
- Scope 2: 4%
- Scope 3: Purchased goods and services (PGS): 58%
- Scope 3: Energy distribution: 3%
- Scope 3: Waste: 0%
- Scope 3: Transport: 17%
- Scope 3: Third party halls and leased assets: 13%
Total: 40,608tCO2e
The table below provides the breakdown of carbon footprints across different activities for the Kingston University 2024-25 Carbon Footprint, using the methodology outlined in the EAUC Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework (EAUC: Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework).
| GHG scope | Description | 2024-25 performance (TCO2e) |
| 1 | Fuel use for operations | 1,996 |
| 1 | Fleet (owned/operated) | 14 |
| 1 | Fugitive gas | 22 |
| Total for Scope 1 | 2,395 | |
| 2 | Purchased electricity | 2,342 |
| 2 | Renewable energy purchased through PPA | -852 |
| Total for Scope 2 | 1,315 | |
| 3.1 | Purchased goods and services | 21,182 |
| 3.2 | Capital goods including building and refurbishment | 829 |
| 3.3 | Fuel and energy used to transport to the institution | 1121 |
| 3.4 | Transportation of goods to the institution (reported via Higher Education Supply Chain Emissions Tool, HESCET) | Included in 3.1 |
| 3.5 | Waste | 42 |
| 3.6 | Business travel | 500 |
| 3.7 | Staff commuting and homeworking | 1,358 |
| 3.8 | Upstream leased buildings and vehicles | Covered in Scope 1 and 2 |
| 3.9 | UK student travel and international student travel | 4,686 (commuting) 3,785 (other student trips) |
| 3.9 | Student accommodation/halls of residence associated with Kingston University but owned/managed by an external organisation | 4,124 |
| Student accommodation (internally managed accommodation on university estates) | Included in our Scope 1 and 2 | |
| Total Scope 3 | 33,460 | |
We have a dedicated annual carbon management budget to support our operational CO2 emissions reduction plan. This budget is dedicated to the continuous investment of energy efficiency measures across the Kingston University Estate. Projects supported by the carbon management budget to date include:
- LED Lighting and Control Replacement - Complete replacement of obsolete and inefficient fluorescent and halogen lighting with LEDs across the estate. From 2018-2026, we replaced 96% of internal lighting with full replacement due to be completed in 2027. We will then focus on replacing all external lighting with LEDs. LED replacement reduces our Carbon Emissions by approx. 90 tCO2e/ year.
- EcoSync Installation - Throughout the University Estate, the boilers and heating systems are controlled to be as efficient as possible, but with different building stock, not all are appropriate for BMS installation. EcoSync allows room by room control of a central boiler heating system using intelligent TRVs and a cloud based platform system, this was trialled in two buildings for a year and having proved itself to save energy consumption we have been rolled the system out to a further two buildings.
- Secondary Glazing - Secondary Glazing has been put in place on multiple campuses to increase the efficiency of the heating during winter and to reduce solar gain throughout summer.
- Secondary Metering - Over the past years, metering has been put throughout Kingston University Estate in order to monitor energy usage and help to identify potential savings.
- Electrical Vehicle Charge Points - Electric Vehicle charging points have been installed on multiple Kingston University Sites to service staff, students and Fleet vehicles.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our carbon management practices tie in with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to transform our world and promote prosperity for all while protecting our planet.
Our policy on energy efficiency supports 'Affordable and clean energy', 'Responsible consumption and production' and 'Climate action'.
Decarbonising heat
Decarbonisation of heat is a key challenge to overcome in order to successfully achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Currently across the estate, natural gas is used for heating and hot water generation. This results in the direct release of CO2 emissions.
We have developed a detailed Heat Decarbonisation Plan (HDP) for each campus to combat these CO2 emissions. The plan was possible thanks to our successful grant application via the Low Carbon Skills Fund.
The HDPs present a systematic approach to phase out reliance on fossil fuels for heating and hot water by 2038/39.
Want to read our Energy Policy?
Our Energy Policy is updated every two years. It provides clear objectives to ensure we continue to reduce our emissions.
All staff, students, consultants and contractors are expected to collaborate to help deliver energy reduction and efficiencies.
Procuring energy
The day-to-day operations of Kingston University create a significant demand for energy. We must ensure cost, consumption and carbon are continually reviewed during the procurement process. Therefore, we are a proud member of the not-for-profit public buying organisation, The Energy Consortium (TEC).
When procuring energy, we actively explore methods to procure energy from low or zero carbon sources. At the same time, we must ensure value for money and cost certainty.
In 2019, we joined a pioneering renewable energy contract with 19 other universities that supplies us with >4111MW 100% renewable energy from UK wind farms per year. This figure is equivalent to 35% of demand. The PPA is backed with REGO certification.
Get in touch to talk about sustainability
Got a question about sustainability at Kingston University?
Call us on +44 (0)7767 932944 or send us an email.
You can also visit us in person at:
Estates and Sustainability
Services Building
Penrhyn Road Campus
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2EE
