Newcastle University Energy Policy

1. Purpose

The Policy seeks to inform primarily Newcastle University colleagues and students, but also other interested parties, of the University’s commitments to continual improvement in energy performance across the estate in line with the University’s ISO 50001 Energy Management System (EnMS).

2. What is covered by the policy?

All university operations in the UK and abroad, applying to education, research, engagement and facilities management. 

3. Who does the policy apply to?

All colleagues, students and other interested parties including visitors, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders.   

4. Roles and responsibilities

• Executive Board and Council – act as 'top management' for the EnMS (as defined in the ISO 50001:2018 standard) responsible for:
  • Ensuring that EnMS scope and boundaries are established;
  • Ensuring that the energy policy, objectives, and energy targets are established and are compatible with the strategic direction of the University;
  • Ensuring the integration of the EnMS requirements into the University's business processes;
  • Ensuring action plans are approved and implemented;
  • Ensuring that the resources needed for the EnMS are available;
  • Communicating the importance of effective energy management and of conforming the EnMS requirements;
  • Ensuring that the EnMS achieves its intended outcome(s);
  • Promoting continual improvement in energy performance and the EnMS;
  • Ensuring the formation of an energy management team;
  • Directing and supporting persons to contribute to the effectiveness of the EnMS and to energy performance improvement;
  • Supporting other relevant management roles to demonstrate their leadership as it applies to their areas of responsibility;
  • Ensuring that the EnPI(s) appropriately represent(s) energy performance;
  • Ensuring that processes are established and implemented to identify and address changes affecting the EnMS and energy performance within the scope and boundary of the EnMS.

• Pro Vice Chancellor Global & Sustainability– Chair of Environment and Sustainability Committee (ESC).  Reporting to Executive Board and Council ESC has delegated authority to act as the University body conducting 'Management Review' of the EnMS
• Head of Sustainability - Responsible for management of all aspects of operational sustainability within the University including both management systems.
• Energy & Carbon Manager – acts as EnMS Manager with responsibility for implementation of the EnMS.
• Sustainability Team – Enabling, maintaining and implementing processes and procedures within EnMS.
• All colleagues, students and other interested parties including visitors, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders – be aware of the policy and contribute towards delivery of the commitments.

5. Policy

Providing higher education to more than 28,000 students and employing around 6,500 people, Newcastle University has an excellent pedigree in research and teaching.  With a global reach, Newcastle University is based on a campus in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.  We pride ourselves on being closely integrated into the economic, cultural and social life of the North East and our estate comprises a diverse range of facilities in the UK and abroad. 

As a responsible institution we are committed to visibly leading on environmental sustainability at local, national and international scales. We will protect the environment and prevent pollution by reducing emissions and discharges, meeting all of our compliance obligations and, where possible, demonstrating best practice. Our Energy Management System (EnMS) covers all University operations in the UK and abroad and provides a structured framework for setting and reviewing objectives and energy targets, and ensuring information and resources are available to achieve them. We will demonstrate, and communicate our continual improvement in our EnMS and our energy performance.

In April 2019, Newcastle University declared a climate emergency. We recognise the urgency associated with environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, and the inequitable impacts these have on human societies and the natural world upon which they rely. We are also aware of the scale of the contribution our energy consumption has in these areas, considering all upstream process from the generation, transmission, distribution, and usage of our energy. We will continually improve our energy performance and performance of the EnMS, and minimise our energy consumption.

We commit to:

1. Investing in energy efficiency and conservation measures.
2. Embedding the purchase of energy efficient products and services.
3. Integrating design activities that consider energy performance improvement in the design of new, modified and renovated facilities and equipment.
4. Empowering and motivating all stakeholders through effective education and engagement.
5. Minimising the carbon emissions associated with our energy consumption and reducing reliance on fossil fuel energy sources, including investing in onsite and offsite renewable energy generation.

All colleagues and students are responsible for contributing to our continual improvement in energy performance. Progress is monitored and governed by our Environment and Sustainability Committee, which is chaired by the Pro Vice Chancellor Global & Sustainability and reports to Executive Board and Council.  

For further information on how we aim to meet our commitments; please see our Objectives, Targets and Action Plans at the Newcastle University Sustainable Campus website.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• 4 – Quality education
• 7 – Affordable and clean energy
• 8 – Decent work and economic growth
• 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
• 12 – Responsible consumption and production
• 13 – Climate action

6. Related regulations, statutes and policies

University Vision and Strategy: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/  

Environmental Sustainability Policy: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainable-campus/about-us/policies/

Academic Heating and Cooling Policy:   https://www.ncl.ac.uk/mediav8/sustainable-campus/files/Heating%20and%20Cooling%20Policy%20v4%20May19.pdf

As part of our EnMS we maintain a comprehensive compliance obligations register which lists all relevant energy-related regulations: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainable-campus/about-us/environmental-management/#legislation  

7. Procedure to implement the policy

The University's EnMS documents the procedures used to implement the policy i.e. Objectives, Targets and Action Plans. 

8. Monitoring and reporting on compliance

What will be monitored?	Frequency	Method	Who by	Reported to
Effectiveness of the EnMS	Annually	Management Review Process	Environment and Sustainability Committee (ESC)	Executive Board and Council

9. Failure to comply

• Decrease in energy and environmental performance, and increase in negative environmental impacts. 
• Failure to comply with University Environmental Sustainability Policy and associated targets.
• Failure to meet University compliance obligations in line with the EnMS with potential breaches of environmental and energy legislation. 
• Failure to meet the needs and expectations of interested parties as identified within the EnMS. 
• Decreased emergency preparedness with respect to energy-related risks, and associated business continuity impacts. 
• Increased energy consumption and costs.
• Reputational damage to the University. 
• Colleague and student dissatisfaction. 

 

Document control information

Document control information
Does this replace another policy?        Yes / No If yes please state. This policy replaces the previous version of the Energy Policy (old University format)
Approval
Approved by:	University Council		Date:		10.10.22
Effective from:	02/05/2024 Amends to v4 were minor administrative edits that did not require UEB/Council approval.
Review due:	July 24
Responsibilities
Executive sponsor:	Professor Richard Davies, Pro Vice Chancellor Global & Sustainability and Chair of Environment & Sustainability Committee
Policy owner: (This maybe an officer or Committee)	Environment and Sustainability Committee
Policy author:	Head of Sustainability, Estates and Facilities
Person(s) responsible for compliance:	Head of Sustainability, Estates and Facilities
Consultation
Version		Body consulted		Date
1		ESC		04.2020
2		ESC		04.2021
3		ESC & UEB		05.2022/26.07.22
4		ESC		04.2023
Equality Impact Assessment: Does the policy have the potential to impact on people in a different way because of their protected characteristics? Yes / No / Unsure
Initial assessment by:	Matt Dunlop		Date:		12/05/2020
Document location