University’s 2023-2024 Report demonstrates Sustainability Progress

The University of St Andrews has released its 2023-24 Sustainability Report, highlighting the institution’s commitment and progress towards its target of net zero by 2035, a goal set in January 2021. The University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy focuses on environmental research, innovation, and community collaboration.These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) around the themes of climate science, renewable energy solutions, and resource conservation.

Responding to obligations for increased carbon reporting, the Sustainability Report marks the first year that the University's measured carbon emissions have declined since 2020. Three greenhouse gas scopes were determined, a reporting method intended to enable a holistic evaluation of environmental impact. The report notes a decline in Scope 1 emissions, which include direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by the University, a decrease in Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity, heat, and steam, and a slight decline in Scope 3 emissions, which cover all other indirect greenhouse gas emissions such as employee and student commuting. Scope 3 has recently been extended to include emissions generated by student travel at the start and end of the academic year. The report concludes by offering plans for the introduction of more renewable energy resources and developing a travel policy to reduce flight emissions.

The report also highlights Professor Venkataraman Thangadurai’s appointment in July 2024 to the newly created position of Chair in Energy as a key step in developing sustainable energy solutions. With over 30 years of experience in clean energy technologies, Professor Thangadurai envisions St Andrews playing a pivotal role in advancing Scotland’s renewable energy future.

“Scotland supports very rich and renewable renewable energies, specifically wind for example,” he said. “We would love to develop the technologies that can integrate into acquiring the renewable energies on a faster scale and also distributed widely.”

Professor Thangadurai added that Scotland’s geography enhances its potential for clean energy development: “General[ly], Scotland is a very small country [where] within a couple of hours of driving you can really access various resources available in the area of clean energy technologies.”

Looking ahead, Professor Thangadurai sees a future where sustainable energy solutions are central to addressing global energy challenges.

The report also emphasised food sustainability efforts, aligning with the UN goal of zero hunger. It details several initiatives aimed at addressing food security and responsible consumption, including the work of Transition St Andrews, an organisation dedicated to community-led climate action through students, staff, and local residents.

Anya Hart Dyke, Transition St Andrews’ Project Officer and Skill Share Coordinator, said the group supports community action, including smaller individual efforts. One project Transition runs is Edible Campus, a network of gardens across campus that anyone can contribute to and harvest from throughout the year.

"This is small ‘c’ climate action, meaning it's practical steps that you can take in your own personal life to reduce your impact and have a positive social impact," she said.

Beyond food sustainability, Transition also promotes reuse and repair through initiatives such as StAndReuse, which aims to redistribute unwanted items and hold skill-sharing workshops and monthly Repair Cafés.

"Partnering with student societies, other organizations, the community hub, and having these face-to-face conversations with people — it's just amazing. That's where you get transformation, that's where you get behavior change, that's where you get movement [towards] meeting sustainability goals," she said.

Looking forward, Transition aims to expand its successful initiatives, including the Repair Cafés, climate outreach programmes, and reuse projects. The organisation is also working to scale up its pre-loved sustainable bedding bundle initiative, which offers second-hand laundered bedding to reduce waste from student accommodation. They hope to engage halls of residence to expand the programme.

"The more we collaborate, the more visible our work becomes, the more people get involved, and everything grows," Dyke said.

With measurable progress in reducing carbon emissions across all three scopes, the University is demonstrating tangible steps towards its environmental targets. The appointment of Professor Thangadurai further strengthens St Andrews' role in advancing clean energy solutions, leveraging Scotland’s renewable energy potential. Community-driven initiatives like those led by Transition St Andrews emphasise the power of grassroots action in fostering sustainability.

Image by Jack Dalgleish