Deputy First Minister and Minister for Further and Higher Education,
, visited Cardiff University
to see how a £12.2m investment is accelerating their progress
towards carbon reduction.
The investment is part of a wider £20m loan funding for
universities to help the reach their low carbon emissions.
It has helped the University improve older building by installing
energy efficient lighting, new windows and heat pumps. This is
part of the university's wider sustainability journey, where it
provides electric vehicle charging and is working to electrify
its fleet.
Funding has come from the Welsh Government's Digarbon programme
for the Higher Education and Further Education sector, which is
available to universities and colleges in Wales. The energy
savings achieved by this investment will help repay the loan and
fund more investment in low carbon heating solutions.
Swansea University has also been successful in securing funding
to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings. Funding has
also been offered to the University of Wales Trinity St David and
the Royal Welsh College for Music and Drama.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change,
said: “I'm really pleased to announce £20m of
loan funding to higher education establishments to support them
in reducing emissions and playing their part in tackling the
climate emergency.
“This is part of a wider journey to drive down carbon emissions
across the whole public sector. It's a huge challenge but by
working together, I know we can achieve this. I would urge others
to follow in the footsteps of organisations like Cardiff
University.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education, added: “I'm so proud of the
work our education institutions are doing to tackle climate
change.
“Cardiff University is showing what can be achieved with this
funding, not only to reduce carbon emissions but also to save
money by reducing energy consumption.
“We are committed to working with the higher and further
education sector to make sure they can benefit from cost saving
energy efficiencies.”
Cardiff University's Chief Operating Officer and University
Secretary, Dr Paul Sanderson said: “We're delighted to have
secured this new funding and to have the opportunity to welcome
the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Higher Education to
the University to discuss how this investment will help us meet
our net zero ambitions. This will enable us to fund major new
works, including upgrading the windows at our Tower and Law
buildings which will provide much needed energy efficiencies and
carbon emission reductions. This is a key feature of our
Environmental Sustainability Action Plan and builds on previous
energy conservation measures including LED lighting, solar PV,
fume cupboard upgrades and pipework insulation. We were also able
to show the Ministers some of our new, 100% electric, vehicles as
part of our university fleet - all part of our goal to be more
sustainable and purchased with funding from the Welsh
Government.”
