University of Exeter relaunches Climate Strategy

The University of Exeter has relaunched its Climate Strategy with a clear focus on reducing emissions rather than offsetting them.

Exeter’s world-leading climate scientists play a vital role in ensuring the University’s work towards achieving net zero remains grounded in the most current and robust climate science.

Following their expert advice, the new Climate Strategy realigns the University’s net zero target to 2050 across all scopes (direct, indirect and supply-chain emissions).

The strategy sets a clear institutional plan to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, setting out the rationale behind targets and timelines, and driving toward scientifically robust solutions. 

The University is home to more of the world’s most influential climate scientists than any other university, and Exeter’s global role has been recognised by the Times Higher Education Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership”.

Academics have led the crucial annual Global Carbon Budget and produced the influential Global Tipping Points reports, the Parliamentarians’ Guide to Climate Change and significant work with external organisations to chart the way forward to net zero.

Jo Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability, said: “Six years ago, we declared an environment and climate emergency and set a strategic goal to reach net zero carbon.

“Since then, we’ve built a whole‑institution approach to tackling the climate crisis, shaped by the insight and leadership of our world‑leading academics.

“Their expertise has guided the development of this strategy, which strengthens our commitment to genuine emissions reductions.”

The University previously set a target of net zero by 2030, including the use of offsetting (compensating for emissions by taking part in activities that capture the equivalent amount of greenhouse gases).

The new target covers the University’s full carbon footprint, removes offsetting and is aligned with science.

A two-year review, undertaken by a group of world-leading scientists and chaired by Professor Peter Cox CBE, Professor of Climate System Dynamics and Director of the Global Systems Institute, concluded that at this time offsetting schemes lack the credibility, permanence and verifiability essential for genuine emissions cuts.

Their recommendation was to remove offsetting from the University’s current approach to net zero, concluding that by focusing on real reductions in emissions, rather than uncertain offsets, the University would uphold integrity in its approach to climate action.

Meanwhile, Exeter’s academics are pioneering innovative and responsible carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods to raise global standards of credibility and accountability, with the aim of enabling credible offsetting in the future.

A detailed statement that provides background to the new Climate Strategy can be read online here.

“We remain fully committed to our sustainability and climate ambitions,” said Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor.

“We are privileged that our world-leading climate scientists are advising us on our strategy and actions, giving us complete confidence that our net zero target is grounded in the latest research, and aligned with a rigorous, science-based approach.

“Achieving our goals will rely on the individual contributions we all have to make. That collective commitment across our community reinforces our belief that together, we create the possible.”