{"id":1817,"date":"2023-11-22T10:49:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T10:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/digitalbuzzuoe\/?p=1817"},"modified":"2024-01-30T10:27:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T10:27:52","slug":"how-the-university-of-exeter-is-working-towards-achieving-net-zero-with-carbon-accounting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/digitalbuzzuoe\/how-the-university-of-exeter-is-working-towards-achieving-net-zero-with-carbon-accounting\/","title":{"rendered":"How the University of Exeter is Working Towards Achieving Net Zero with Carbon Accounting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The University\u2019s Strategy 2030<\/a> is all about being greener, healthier, and fairer and leading meaningful action against the ecological crisis and climate emergency. This combined with our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2030 means that we need to find ways to measure and reduce our carbon footprint. Digital<\/a> is a key enabler of the University\u2019s strategy and so the University’s Digital team are using agile ways of working to develop a carbon accounting tool to help the organisation to achieve its\u2019 strategic goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read this blog to learn what carbon accounting is and how we are delivering it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Carbon Accounting?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An organisation\u2019s carbon footprint is an indicator of the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted as a result of the organisation\u2019s activities. Carbon accounting is the measurement and analysis of an organisations carbon footprint in order to understand which areas of activity are having the largest impact. This the first step in developing and implementing an effective decarbonisation strategy. The University is committed to a Net Zero target by 2030 and is leading on taking action and developing a best-in-class Carbon Accounting System. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How is carbon accounting done?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The University’s Sustainability Team are tasked with the measurement and analysis of UoE’s carbon footprint. The technology and practice are developing and are wide ranging, dealing with all UoE activities including energy, water, waste and investments. Phase one of this work will focus on our biggest greenhouse gas emissions categories: Travel and Bought Goods and Services, which will be determined by processing our finance system data to translate these activities into resultant greenhouse gas emissions. This data will then be dropped into a data warehouse where it can be analysed\u2026 enter the carbon calculator. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What is a carbon calculator? <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the engine that extracts raw data from existing systems – initially the UoE finance system – and applies translations and calculations to interpret this data and feed the Sigma Analysis Tool. Previously these calculations were performed manually using a set of spreadsheets which was time consuming and took resource away from analysis that could inform decision. In line with our digital strategy<\/a>, we identified an opportunity to automate this process to increase efficiency and enable people to get stuff done, while also providing opportunity to the University to generate more value and maximise our reputation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key components of the automated engine include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n