Overview
Falmouth University and the University of Exeter both declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019, alongside many other universities and colleges across the world. This led to the development of formal sustainability policies to embed sustainability across all aspects of university and life on campus.
Both universities have set net-zero decarbonisation targets including wider sustainability targets, you are able to view these on the Falmouth University sustainability home page and University of Exeter sustainability home page.
Our role at FX Plus is to support the universities in achieving their targets by embedding sustainability across all FX Plus Services and the campus estate.
In 2020, we launched our first sustainability policy which established a series of work streams in order to achieve the university net-zero and wider sustainability targets: Energy and Utilities, Waste and Recycling, Sustainable Travel, Procurement, Food and Drink, Biodiversity, Buildings, Environmental Compliance and Communications.
Please take a look through the pages below to find information about what is already taking place, and the ways you can get involved. You can also contact our Head of Sustainability directly on sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.
- Energy and Utilities
- Sustainable Travel
- Food and Drink
- Biodiversity
- Procurement
- Waste and Recycling
- Buildings
Our target is to achieve net-zero emissions in our energy (scope 1 & 2) emissions by 2040. The 2024/25 energy recordings identified:
- Reviewing our carbon emissions based on gross internal area (CO2e per m2) against a 2005/2006 baseline, Penryn Campus has now seen a 61% reduction, with Falmouth Campus just behind with a 67% reduction – significantly ahead of our target of a 50% reduction by 2025.
Solar Panel Installations: solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been fitted across our campus buildings including Daphne Du Maurier, Peter Lanyon, Sport Centre and AMATA. These installations are projected to generate around 800 MWh of renewable energy annually, cutting emissions by approximately 170 tCO2e each year.
LED Lighting Upgrades: these have been completed in the Peter Lanyon and main areas of the AMATA buildings. The upgrades are expected to lower carbon emissions by approximately 12 tCO2e annually.
Sub-metering enhancements: installation of over 100 sub-meters has continued this year, providing detailed energy usage data to support future efficiency projects and monitor the effectiveness of implemented initiatives.
Gas Decarbonisation: Feasibility studies have been conducted in order to understand how to phase out on-campus gas boilers to energy efficient solutions such as Battery storage and renewable energy solutions.
What our plans are: Penryn Campus is advancing sustainability through various decarbonization projects. Glasney Village, a significant carbon emitter, is the focus of an eco-block pilot project at Glasney Parc Block A, incorporating technologies like solar PV, heat pumps, and battery storage. LED lighting upgrades across key areas, including AIR and campus streetlights, aim to cut 15 tCO2e annually, with further phases planned as resources allow. Additionally, the campus is expanding EV charging infrastructure to meet rising demand, with feasibility studies and new installations planned for Car Park C.
Other initiatives include a University of Exeter-led wind turbine project, aiming to install two 900 kW turbines at Treliever Research Field, potentially offsetting 343 tCO2e annually. Heating system decarbonization for the SERSFs and Stella Turk buildings is also under review. Collectively, these projects reflect a robust commitment to reducing the campus’s carbon footprint and transitioning to sustainable energy practices.
