{"id":1579,"date":"2026-04-09T08:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1579"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:40:13","slug":"developing-momentum-on-the-road-to-net-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/?p=1579","title":{"rendered":"Developing momentum on the road to net zero"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff<\/p>\n<p><meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no\"><meta http-equiv=\"X-UA-Compatible\" content=\"IE=edge\"><meta name=\"format-detection\" content=\"telephone=no\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\"><title>Developing momentum on the road to net zero<\/title><meta name=\"description\" content='How universities can move beyond the \"where do we start?\" moment when decarbonising their campus'><meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"\"><meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index,follow\"><meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\"><meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Developing momentum on the road to net zero\"><meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"\"><meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"website\"><meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/press-releases\/developing-momentum-on-the-road-to-net-zero\/\"><meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Developing momentum on the road to net zero\"><meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h5 class=\"rich-text-case-study__text rte__text\">One of the most valuable aspects of attending the annual AUDE exhibition is speaking directly with Estates Directors and energy teams who are delivering decarbonisation across the FE sector. Every year, these conversations offer a real\u2011time insight into the pressures facing higher education and the innovative ways institutions are responding.<\/h5>\n<p>Some universities are working towards ambitious 2030 net zero targets, while others are aligned with the UK Government\u2019s 2050 deadline. Even with an additional two decades, the scale of the challenge is formidable.<\/p>\n<p>Many institutions have already published detailed, costed decarbonisation roadmaps and the price tag is significant. For many, the journey to net zero will come with a \u00a3100 million+ price tag. With over 160 universities in the UK, the overall sector requirement will run into the billions.<\/p>\n<p>Progress, however, remains uneven across the sector. A small number of organisations invested early and are now approaching the finish line. Many more universities are still at the initial stages of decarbonisation, and the question I was asked most often at AUDE was a simple one: \u201cWhere should we start?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Having worked with more than 20% of the UK\u2019s universities, we\u2019ve seen first hand the strategies, attitudes and behaviours that build real momentum on the journey to net zero.<\/p>\n<p>The project is being delivered through the NDEE framework and comes with an energy performance contract, which guarantees certain key performance indicators, such as carbon reduction, will be met, providing the College with certainty that its new heating system will perform as promised.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/3gvfotnq\/university-of-liverpool.jpg?anchor=center&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=835&amp;height=474&amp;rnd=134201157441730000\" alt=\"University Of Liverpool\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Start With a Decarbonisation Plan<\/h2>\n<p>We can\u2019t overstate how impressed we\u2019ve been by the universities that have invested time into developing robust decarbonisation plans. These documents become the blueprint for everything that follows and should be formed based on data collection and deep understanding of your Estate\u2019s energy profiles and emissions.<\/p>\n<p>A strong plan gives you a deep understanding of your energy infrastructure, how it performs, where it falls short, and where the most meaningful improvements can be made. It enables simple comparisons, such as the carbon and cost savings from replacing fluorescent lighting with LEDs, alongside more complex decisions, such as identifying the appropriate replacement for fossil\u2011fuelled heating and a reliance on the electricity grid.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the process, you\u2019ll have a workable, evidence\u2011based roadmap, and crucially, clarity on whether you\u2019re facing a \u00a310 million challenge or a \u00a3100 million one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Be Ready and Flexible to Secure Funding<\/h2>\n<p>No university reaches net zero through one flagship project. Even those securing headline\u2011grabbing \u00a330m+ investments are only reducing their emissions by a proportion. Most institutions will need to deliver dozens of projects over the coming decades, from quick\u2011win energy\u2011reduction measures to major energy\u2011centre redevelopments or large\u2011scale renewable energy generation schemes.<\/p>\n<p>Funding windows often appear quickly and close even faster. A strong decarbonisation plan helps you identify packages of work that meet a funder\u2019s criteria, rather than waiting for funding that perfectly matches an ideal project.<\/p>\n<p>Flexibility is key. If you can group and regroup initiatives in several ways, you dramatically increase your chances of being eligible for multiple funding opportunities. The universities that make the most progress are the ones able to move quickly and fluidly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-image rte\" data-anchor=\"\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-image__wrap\">\n<div class=\"rich-text-image__img-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rich-text-image__img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/media\/1lnp1pzg\/vital-energi-higher-education.jpg?center=0.716401906091265,0.51523332047821058&amp;mode=crop&amp;width=835&amp;height=474&amp;rnd=134201166450530000\" alt=\"Vital Energi Higher Education\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalenergi.co.uk\/javascript:\" class=\"js-read-more-rte read-more-btn\">Solution detail<span class=\"btn__link font-ico-plus\"><\/span><span class=\"btn__link font-ico-minus\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Start with the Low-Hanging Fruit\u2026 Strategically<\/h2>\n<p>Energy\u2011conservation measures are often the first place universities turn, and for good reason. They reduce energy and carbon at source, are usually self\u2011funded, and can be delivered with minimal disruption or as part of maintenance works. They also help reduce overall energy demand, meaning future generation or electrification solutions can be smaller and more cost\u2011effective.<\/p>\n<p>Funding schemes often include requirements such as \u00a3 per tonne of carbon reduction. By combining high\u2011impact measures such as Solar PV with less cost\u2011effective upgrades, such as glazing, you can build packages that meet each criteria whilst retaining a \u2018fabric first\u2019 approach to decarbonisation.<\/p>\n<p>Your decarbonisation plan should give you a detailed understanding of each measure, enabling you to create funding\u2011ready bundles with confidence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Build Internal Momentum: Get on Your Soapbox<\/h2>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve created your decarbonisation roadmap, it\u2019s vital to socialise it. Many universities have made public commitments but delivering them requires strong internal political will and this can be difficult when competing for budget with student\u2011facing services.<\/p>\n<p>The institutions making the fastest progress are those with a proactive approach to internal and external communication. Be vocal. Be visible. Advocate relentlessly for your decarbonisation agenda. Your work will only gain traction if internal enthusiasm matches the public commitments being made.<\/p>\n<p>When competing for internal budget, you need to demonstrate the strategic value, and often the financial return of your initiatives. Sharing early wins is critical: use data to highlight impact, build confidence and secure support. One NHS estates manager told me that raising the internal profile of sustainability work was \u201cone of the most important things you can do\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Declaring a climate emergency or announcing a 2030 target only matters if you follow through. We\u2019re proud to have partnered with many of the UK\u2019s universities over multiple phases of decarbonisation projects and all our partners have one common trait \u2013 passionate people in their organisation who drive change and continue to achieve phased steps towards their net zero ambitions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-text-case-study rte\">\n<div class=\"wrap rich-text-case-study__wrap\">\n<h2 class=\"rich-text-case-study__title rte__title\">Finally\u2026Don\u2019t overthink it, something is better than nothing<\/h2>\n<p>Your decarbonisation road map is an evolving document, and you don\u2019t need to begin with a \u201cset-in stone\u201d list of priorities.\u00a0 Simply beginning the process can bring greater clarity, allowing you to get a better understanding of the potential phases.<\/p>\n<p>Also, don\u2019t let the size of your net zero challenge overwhelm you.\u00a0 Even the projects which have multiple projects under their belt didn\u2019t have a full sequence of project and phases from day one.\u00a0 They created an overarching plan which could be adopted to suit available funding streams, access windows and the life cycle stages of existing infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have your basic plan, you can begin to build on it, crafting your long-term strategy over time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff Developing momentum on the road to net zero One of the most valuable aspects of attending the annual AUDE exhibition is speaking directly with Estates Directors and energy teams who are delivering decarbonisation across the FE sector. Every year, these conversations offer a real\u2011time insight into the pressures facing higher education and the innovative [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ve_media_section":[3],"ve_media_year":[],"ve_sector":[],"class_list":["post-1579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","ve_media_section-press-releases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1579"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1579\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1579"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_section&post=1579"},{"taxonomy":"ve_media_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_media_year&post=1579"},{"taxonomy":"ve_sector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vitalenergi.creativespark.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fve_sector&post=1579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}