Events

AUDE Annual Conference 2024

Decarbonisation 2.0

The Decade of Action (2020-2030) is identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with higher education institutions leading the way in embedding sustainability into every aspect of teaching and learning, while acting as role models for other industries.

Climate action and decarbonisation plans are now being implemented and delivered against, which are likely to define the priorities for higher education leadership in funding and resource management. Delivering and reporting against net zero targets in the public realm and being accountable to students, funders and their wider communities, higher education institutes are mobilising their teams for science based target outcomes.

Arup creates and retrofits future ready buildings that positively impact student well-being and study success. By investing in our climate risk and strategic portfolio services, universities are adapting to climate change and this has led to lower embodied carbon, lower operational energy use and better occupant productivity.

Explore our latest projects

  • George Green Library, University of Nottingham

    We helped the University of Nottingham transform the George Green Library from an underused 1960s building into a modern facility with high sustainability credentials and a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent'. Retaining much of the original building through innovative structural interventions, the project involved major refurbishment of the existing library. Our work demonstrated that it is possible not just to refurbish existing buildings, but to successfully adapt them without the need for demolition and rebuilding.

    Find out more

    1 of 7

  • Learning & Teaching Building, University of Strathclyde

    We assisted University of Strathclyde become an embodiment of adaptive re-use. Resulting from the refurbishment and integration of two existing buildings, alongside the addition of a new-build hub, the Learning & Teaching Building is a versatile space. It accommodates various learning styles and activities while housing student support services and the Student Union under one roof, ensuring seamless access to essential resources and fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

    Find out more

    2 of 7

  • School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University

    We were engaged to work on the major redevelopment of the Manchester School of Art, which now provides an engaging and lively environment for students and staff to work and study. Creating an inspiring and collaborative space, the new Benzie Building and the Design Shed were repurposed to reflect the needs and demands of an ever evolving education system. The opportunities created by the project have served as a major catalyst for its cultural evolution.

    Find out more

    3 of 7

  • Sir William Henry Bragg Building, University of Leeds

    Appointed as technical consultant from RIBA Stage 0, we helped repurpose the Sir William Henry Bragg Building. Built in 1930, the building was sensitively repurposed and extended with a new storey and connected to a new seven-storey complex for learning and research. Providing an impressive range of environments to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, it houses some of the most advanced electron microscope technology in the UK, including the Royce Institute and Wolfson Imaging Facility.

    Find out more

    4 of 7

  • Net Zero Carbon Strategy, University of Glasgow

    We worked with the University of Glasgow to develop a net zero carbon strategy, which will inform the its ongoing consultation in response to the climate emergency and sets out guidance on how to meet its carbon targets. The strategy considers what action is needed to improve and retrofit the existing campus to reduce energy demand and the likely scale of investment, as well as identifying the contribution that low carbon energy systems could make to emission reduction.

    Find out more

    5 of 7

  • Net Zero Carbon Campus Plan, University of Hull

    We undertook a comprehensive review of the carbon emissions generated by all buildings owned and operated across the University of Hull to design and deliver a zero carbon plan with a clear roadmap to achieving the ambitious 2027 target. Setting out on a journey to both reduce operational energy costs and future-proof the university for decades to come, the institution is aiming to be one of the first universities in the UK to achieve net zero.

    Find out more

    6 of 7

  • Concourse, University of Sheffield

    Our lighting designers helped revitalise the University of Sheffield concourse, creating a multi-use space to encourage students and the public to sit, dwell and relax. The lighting scheme created offers a bold simplicity to the plaza that accentuates the clean lines and texture of the bridge, giving it a strong identity to the university campus. Since opening, the concourse has been used to host external events including music gigs, launch events and an external bar.

    Find out more

    7 of 7

  • George Green Library, University of Nottingham

    We helped the University of Nottingham transform the George Green Library from an underused 1960s building into a modern facility with high sustainability credentials and a BREEAM rating of 'Excellent'. Retaining much of the original building through innovative structural interventions, the project involved major refurbishment of the existing library. Our work demonstrated that it is possible not just to refurbish existing buildings, but to successfully adapt them without the need for demolition and rebuilding.

    Find out more

    1 of 7

  • Learning & Teaching Building, University of Strathclyde

    We assisted University of Strathclyde become an embodiment of adaptive re-use. Resulting from the refurbishment and integration of two existing buildings, alongside the addition of a new-build hub, the Learning & Teaching Building is a versatile space. It accommodates various learning styles and activities while housing student support services and the Student Union under one roof, ensuring seamless access to essential resources and fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

    Find out more

    2 of 7

  • School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University

    We were engaged to work on the major redevelopment of the Manchester School of Art, which now provides an engaging and lively environment for students and staff to work and study. Creating an inspiring and collaborative space, the new Benzie Building and the Design Shed were repurposed to reflect the needs and demands of an ever evolving education system. The opportunities created by the project have served as a major catalyst for its cultural evolution.

    Find out more

    3 of 7

  • Sir William Henry Bragg Building, University of Leeds

    Appointed as technical consultant from RIBA Stage 0, we helped repurpose the Sir William Henry Bragg Building. Built in 1930, the building was sensitively repurposed and extended with a new storey and connected to a new seven-storey complex for learning and research. Providing an impressive range of environments to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, it houses some of the most advanced electron microscope technology in the UK, including the Royce Institute and Wolfson Imaging Facility.

    Find out more

    4 of 7

  • Net Zero Carbon Strategy, University of Glasgow

    We worked with the University of Glasgow to develop a net zero carbon strategy, which will inform the its ongoing consultation in response to the climate emergency and sets out guidance on how to meet its carbon targets. The strategy considers what action is needed to improve and retrofit the existing campus to reduce energy demand and the likely scale of investment, as well as identifying the contribution that low carbon energy systems could make to emission reduction.

    Find out more

    5 of 7

  • Net Zero Carbon Campus Plan, University of Hull

    We undertook a comprehensive review of the carbon emissions generated by all buildings owned and operated across the University of Hull to design and deliver a zero carbon plan with a clear roadmap to achieving the ambitious 2027 target. Setting out on a journey to both reduce operational energy costs and future-proof the university for decades to come, the institution is aiming to be one of the first universities in the UK to achieve net zero.

    Find out more

    6 of 7

  • Concourse, University of Sheffield

    Our lighting designers helped revitalise the University of Sheffield concourse, creating a multi-use space to encourage students and the public to sit, dwell and relax. The lighting scheme created offers a bold simplicity to the plaza that accentuates the clean lines and texture of the bridge, giving it a strong identity to the university campus. Since opening, the concourse has been used to host external events including music gigs, launch events and an external bar.

    Find out more

    7 of 7

Beyond decarbonisation

Delivering the recommendations within decarbonisations strategies are complex, multi-phased, disruptive and require significant investment. Before making any interventions, we should also consider what additional value could be created for the estate by thinking beyond decarbonisation.

Supported with example case studies, we have compiled a collection of estate activities and benefits that could be delivered through the estate improvement plan.

Our interactive desktop app allows users to navigate a 3D virtual university and learn more about key topics and case studies.
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Click here to access our interactive desktop app

*Please note that the tool can only be used on a laptop or desktop computer.

Join our workshop! Discover the decarbonisation roadmap: how to brief, procure and design

AUDE members can join us on Wednesday April 17, from 11:25 - 12:25, to explore the report we are developing for AUDE, which provides guidance to universities on how to procure decarbonisation expertise that will have the greatest impact for their organisations.

Read our latest thinking

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Hayley Gryc