COVENTRY University has been awarded a grant of almost £13 million to help hit its target of being net zero by 2030.
The grant, from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, will facilitate the installation of around 1,300 new solar panels across university buildings and the integration of nine buildings into Coventry’s district energy network.
These upgrades were developed in collaboration with consultants Turner & Townsend and are projected to slash the university’s carbon emissions by over 1,300 tonnes annually, constituting more than a fifth of its total emissions stemming from fossil fuel usage.
The project is expected to be completed by March 2026 and will not only improve the university’s renewable energy capacity but also eliminate grid electricity costs exceeding £100,000 annually.
Professor John Latham CBE, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, said: “For many years Coventry University has been taking positive strides towards our target of net zero and this grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will help us with the next steps along that road.
“Sustainable development and social responsibility are central to what we stand for and we are working to speed up society’s journey to net zero and clean growth through our excellent research and education.
“While we are rightly proud of the work and research we do to help tackle those issues nationally and internationally, being able to make a difference on our own campus is just as important.”
Coventry University’s commitment to sustainability has gained international recognition, positioning the institution among the top 250 universities worldwide in sustainability rankings.
