Decarbonisation Consultant - Soft Market Testing 2023

**SOFT MARKET TESTING ONLY**

Introduction The University has three campuses at Colchester, Southend and Loughton, with the largest and most significant at Colchester. Across the campuses are c.54 buildings (47/53 split of residential to non-residential buildings), from a historic Grade II Listed hotel to a carbon zero business school. A significant design element at the Colchester campus is the 1960's brutalist architecture that dominates the central area, with its combination of single pane glass and exposed concrete construction.

In December 2020 the University declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency and in May 2021 the University set a target to reach net zero scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2035 from a 2019 baseline of 12,300 tonnes, with a maximum of 3,000 tonnes of offsetting. The University has reduced its scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions from a peak of 18,851 in 2012 to 8,997 tonnes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions have risen back to 10,475 tonnes in 2021. The University has also set a target to reduce energy consumption from the built environment by 76% from a 2019 baseline by 2035. Our buildings heating and hot water is predominantly produced by traditional gas boilers and wet radiators. Across our three campuses we also have electric radiators, electric boilers, ground and air source heat pumps, chillers and comfort cooling units. Energy and carbon reduction work to date has focused on lighting upgrades and sensors, replacement aging boilers with new efficient models, BMS upgrades and PV panels. Limited building fabric work has taken place. Scoped energy and carbon reduction projects for the next 18 months include further PV panels, roof insulation, LED lighting upgrades, air source heat pumps and further electric radiators.

Requirements and Deliverables The University requires a plan setting out the enhancements required to its built environment, to realise its aspirations and to formalise its journey to net zero scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2035. The University also wishes to gain clarity what capital will be required to achieve net zero scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2035 and as the estates heating is decarbonised, how the energy mix will alter. The requirements are split across four parts as follows: • Part 1 - Detailed scoping of buildings across three campuses. • Part 2 - Carbon management/decarbonisation plan. • Part 3 - Energy mix exercise as heating is decarbonised.