Step 1. The College commissioned a high-level report into decarbonising its buildings in April 2022 (Qoda). Carbon emissions estimated at around 2152 tonnes CO2 per year in 2022 were dominated by space heating, especially of pre 1900s buildings. Recognising the challenges of upgrading listed buildings, the report identified the potential to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 through a combination of heat pump technology and building fabric upgrades. The need for careful planning in relation to the architectural merit of the site was highlighted.
Step 2. The College secured funding from the Low Carbon Skills Fund (LCSF) to pay for consultancy work relating to heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency (Apr 2023). A report will lay out the current state of the estate, a model of the potential improvements to the estate, and detailed costings for the proposed measures. It will forecast carbon and energy savings for the buildings after various stages of measure implementation.
Step 3. The above reports will be used to develop a 5-year decarbonisation plan for College. These plans will also inform redevelopment projects that are currently underway; for example, implementing measures for particular buildings and ensuring that current work is compatible with future progress of our broader goals to replace gas heating across site.