Goal 13: Climate Action

Our organisation

The University was officially certified for ISO 50001 for its energy management system. Our Carbon Management Plan includes a target to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

Infrastructure

During the year, we have continued to upgrade our infrastructure. A biomass boiler has been installed together with an air source heat pump. As well as upgrading the building management system and installing LED lighting, the University’s solar farm has been extended. The upgrades were made possible by an award of £4.9 million, through Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).

In 2022, a new hydrogen refuelling station came on stream.

Education

As we move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly around the globe and work toward net zero, the need for knowledgeable, highly trained, highly skilled managers and engineers has arguably never been greater. We have addressed this need through a Global Environmental Change MSc, an Environmental Management for Business MSc, and Net Zero Industrial and Environment and Agrifood Net Zero scholarships to make our sustainability courses more accessible.

Research

Highlights from our climate action research in 2021/22 included:

• Reframing non-CO₂ climate mitigation approaches to limit global warming – Dr Michelle Cain was awarded funding for this work by UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Future Leaders Fellowships programme, which aims to address major global issues and commercialise innovation.
• Integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) for the removal of micropollutants and climate change control for the removal of micropollutants and climate change control.
• Introduction of a new Discipline Hopping programme to provide funding for up to eight early career researchers to identify a programme of work that can develop a roadmap for environmental solutions through a whole system approach.

Cranfield partners with the National Centre for Atmospheric Science to host FAAM, a world-class research facility dedicated to gathering data to advance atmospheric science. FAAM operates a specially adapted research aircraft to make cutting edge measurements in the atmosphere, almost anywhere in the world. It serves scientists working in UK universities and at the Met Office and carries out work for UK Government bodies, commercial organisations, and international research bodies.

Outreach

In 2022, Cranfield University was selected to help search for solutions to repair and regenerate our planet, as an official nominator for the prestigious 2022 Earthshot Prize.

Our schools visit for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) included sustainability/climate action focused events.

The new Cranfield Aviation and the Environment Network Hub aims to create a forum for undertaking the challenging agendas of net zero and climate change related to aviation.

Supporting business

We continued to support businesses through short courses on climate action planning and we partnered with Rothamsted Research on the SHAKE climate change for agriculture programme to help entrepreneurs and start-ups who are combating climate change with science or tech-based ideas in the areas of agriculture and food production.

We have set a number of ambitious, challenging environmental objectives in support of our Environmental Policy and Energy Code of Practice. They are managed through our ISO 14001-certified environmental management system, and through our ISO 150001:2011-certified energy management systems. An overarching Board for Energy and Environment of senior managers, supported by the Energy and Environment Team, is responsible for providing oversight and direction in managing our environmental impacts.

In 2021, Cranfield made the strategic appointment of Professor Chris Fogwill as Pro-Vice Chancellor of our School for Water, Energy and Environment. He is a climate scientist and Earth systems modeller and formerly led Keele University’s Institute for Sustainable Futures. He is now championing climate action for Cranfield.

For 'This is Engineering' Day 2021, we launched a collection of content and activities for schools, and the wider public, showcasing some of the great work taking place at Cranfield, and encouraging them to become climate change heroes.

At the end of 2021, we featured at COP26 in Glasgow as part of the Green Zone activity taking place during the summit. Audience members had the opportunity to take part in our Exploring Sustainable Futures Game, a role-playing learning experience used by the Sustainability group at Cranfield.