Comment

Should Higher Education Institutions be role models in delivering net zero across their estates and infrastructure? Takeaways from our roundtable

In April we brought together key players from across the education sector for a roundtable discussion exploring the big questions surrounding education estates and net zero. Have landlocked campuses, ageing assets and historic fabric in combination with an ever changing and complex planning system made a decarbonisation strategy significantly more difficult for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to progress?

At the roundtable in London, we were joined by London School of Economics, King’s College London, Oxford Brookes University, University College London, Gardiner & Theobald, Pinsent Masons, Morgan Sindall and Hawkins Brown to discuss, in an open forum, innovative ways that HEIs can achieve net zero and how perceived barriers can translate into opportunities. 

With each HEI required to achieve net zero by 2050 and the journey being ‘unique’ in strategy, does it prevent a collaborative approach? Our session focused on how HEIs are approaching net zero, with topics including heating and cooling, building in flexibility, working with designated heritage assets, short-term goals or long-term vision and the power of collaboration.

Key takeaways from the discussion

Perceived and experienced challenges to achieving net zero  

Unsurprisingly, finances strongly featured as a barrier to achieving net zero across HEIs but there are a number of projects which are being considered as part of the longer-term goal to achieve net zero. These projects, in effect, are viewed as a practical ‘layering’ with the decision-making led by ‘beyond planning’ matters including staff/student relocations, disruption to experience and overall operation of the HEI.  

Linking to the above, the campus environment brings space constraints and adds additional complexity to key project components such as duration, disruption and costs. Many of the structures are either listed in their own right, or any alterations to them have the potential to impact on the setting of existing designated heritage assets, project lead-in times, technology surrounding net zero Infrastructure and building inflation costs.  

The perspective from non-education institutions is the value of early engagement of a project to help resolve some of the above challenges. Early engagement aids understanding and could facilitate a more streamlined project process by adding value to the strategy through informing the decision-making process.  

Heating and cooling – constraint or opportunity?

Opportunities for reducing the requirement for heating and cooling buildings were discussed, including what opportunities are present for HEIs.  

An individual building approach is often taken in respect to heating and cooling as different buildings have different requirements, depending upon how they’re used throughout the year. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), as an example, were identified as problematic in practice as heating occurs top to bottom given heavier footfall occurs at the bottom of buildings. ASHPs are not likely to be the sole and final solution, but one which is viable for buildings which have constant requirement in temperature such as laboratories, libraries or hospitals.  

Heat networks were identified as a reasonable alternative for HEIs that are limited on space, however, noise and heat are potential constraints. The issue of peak and off peak times was also highlighted and the increased demand in use of cooling infrastructure during summer.  

Discussion moved onto heat networks and the legal sensitivities surrounding length of contract to external sources. Connection prices are also higher for an external heat network and, until the network is resilient, HEIs are unlikely to remove their own heat sources in precaution to ensure essential operational capacity.  

The availability and suitability of grants and the Government’s ability to provide the required infrastructure (i.e heat networks) were identified as challenges for HEIs as there is the necessity for additional infrastructure to meet minimum funding thresholds which invariably doesn’t align with timescales, noting that projects have in excess of five years from inception to delivery.

Building in flexibility  

Prioritising investment in the adaptation of buildings will accelerate reductions in energy use and emissions and build resilience against climate change. This includes implementing energy-efficient solutions that decrease reliance on energy for cooling or heating and creating water management plans that anticipate periods of flood or drought.

For a building to be flexible, the approach to energy must be flexible too. A layered approach was discussed, particularly for those which require a consistent temperature such as laboratories or hospitals.  

The opportunity to add ‘bolt-ons’ to existing systems as efficiencies was recognised and this could ensure that there is flexibility in approach. Linked to this, without doubt, is design and how there is an opportunity for a design-led approach which could reap wider estate energy savings.  

The importance of implementing different approaches in different buildings was also raised, given the type of spaces across HEIs, for example smaller student rooms in large towers as opposed to lecture theatres which see peaks and troughs in temperature.

Whilst there is a need to think further ahead than the next five to ten years, it is vital that plans consider both the HEI as well as the environment holistically. It was agreed that plan should be agreed at an early stage, to even include the end contractor to ensure that delivery meets expectation.  

Working with designated heritage assets

In addition to building flexibility, many HEIs have designated heritage assets which form part of their estate. Along with the challenge of maintaining the asset, isolated projects such as retrofitting or modest alterations attribute higher build costs and require a bespoke build programme.  

HEIs want to incorporate their assets into their vision for net zero but recognise that there are additional requirements, such as accessibility, which must be assessed in addition to accommodating net zero .  

We discussed project experiences and agreed that early engagement, particularly with statutory bodies such as Historic England, is essential, both to build relationships, and to ensure articulation of rationale so that the best possible project, both for the HEI and the asset, is secured. 

Short-term goals or long-term vision? The value of a plan  

Whether the strategy includes retrofitting buildings, reducing waste, modernising heating and cooling methods, smart energy management or a sustainable supply chain, how these and other approaches fit into the long-term vision was explored.  

HEIs value a ‘plan’ and also the ability to move parts and prioritise elements as needed. For these projects, HEIs value understanding how this impact is felt and experienced as this affects decision making.  

Student experience is always going to be a factor for HEIs in their decision making. With all projects impacting the ‘value to the experience’, decisions for net zero infrastructure have to consider the single entity that is ‘client’ and ‘end user’.  

Whilst there is a progressive attitude change towards sustainability, this needs to continue; recognising that there is no single approach. Changing mindsets and attitudes are now occurring with academics on site in relation to their own habits and behaviours.  

HEIs are committed to becoming net zero and value a collaborative approach and critical thinking to ensure that there is longevity in the solutions.  

Power of collaboration  

To achieve net zero by 2050, we will all need to collaborate. All buildings will need to become climate resilient, which requires a vision, planned investment and a masterplan.

Students now have expectations for HEIs to be addressing net zero.  

HEIs are home to the experts who are leading on research into climate change and net zero infrastructure. Is there opportunity for students and scholars to be a part of this journey?

HEIs want to, and will, work together and are proud to share knowledge and experiences. If HEIs cannot lead the way in net zero, then who can? HEIs are best placed to do so and are embracing the challenge ahead.

Thank you to our participants for their valuable contributions, which made for an engaging and insightful discussion.

Participants:

Mark Tugwell - Oxford Brookes University  

Ewan Graham - Hawkins Brown  

Julian Robinson – London School of Economics

Adele Brooks – Gardiner and Theobald

Chris Owens – Pinsent Masons

Rokia Raslan – University College London

Liz Waldsax – King’s College London

Kevin Flaye – King’s College London

Crissie Gizzi - Morgan Sindall

Mark Underwood

Nicola Riley

Emma Sibley

Nina Lloyd

James Michie

Richard Brookes

Barny Evans

Please get in touch with Nina Lloyd, Nicola Riley or Mark Underwood for more information. 

4 June 2025