Sheffield university climate change expert advises sector on net-zero emissions aim

A Sheffield climate change expert has helped to brief universities on cutting carbon emissions.
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Reducing emissions must be the priority for UK universities but carbon offsetting can also support the transition to net-zero, according to experts from the COP26 Universities Network.

Co-director of the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, Dr Rachael Rothman, contributed to the guidance to support universities and colleges to develop offsetting policies as part of their net-zero strategies.

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Authors of the briefing stress that these institutions have an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the move towards a net-zero future.

Co-director of the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, Dr Rachael RothmanCo-director of the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, Dr Rachael Rothman
Co-director of the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, Dr Rachael Rothman

Ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions will need to be accompanied by some offsetting activity.

Dr Rothman, co-director of the centre and academic lead for sustainability at the university, said: “As a sector, we have a responsibility to tackle the climate emergency.

"Carbon offsetting, as this report demonstrates, must not replace emissions reductions but can compliment these actions and help universities and colleges reach net-zero.

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“The University of Sheffield is actively engaging with the higher education sector to inspire climate action.

"We will be applying the lessons of this briefing to our own activity in our journey to net-zero on campus by 2030 and across all of our activities by 2038.”

The COP26 network is made up of more than 50 UK universities and research institutions working together to help deliver an ambitious outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow later this year.

The briefing highlights several points of consideration for institutions thinking about carbon offsetting, including:

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Reducing emissions must always be the priority before considering offsetting as part of a net-zero strategy Establish robust principles to justify which emissions can and cannot be offset Offset schemes must be carefully assessed and should align with the Sustainable Development goals Prioritise carbon removal offsets over emission reduction offsets The FHE sector would benefit from forming a coalition to support high-integrity offsetting

One of the key recommendations made by the briefing is already being put into practice, says the university. Following the guidance, the EAUC, which is the sustainability champion for universities and colleges in the UK, has established a sector-wide offsetting coalition.

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