The theme for Earth Day 2025 is 'Our Power: Our Planet', inviting everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy. At the University of Sheffield, we're taking meaningful steps to reduce the environmental impact of our energy usage, from procuring renewable energy and divesting from fossil fuels, to organising regular 'Switch Off' campaigns and increasing the efficiency of research spaces such as laboratories.
Procuring renewable energy
At the University of Sheffield, we procure 100% renewable energy from Bryt Energy. This means our purchased electricity is sourced solely from solar, wind, and hydro power, and this is audited and verified by the independent third party, Eco Act.
Eco Act certifies that Bryt Energy's electricity supply is backed by Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates (REGO). REGOs were put in place to match and track renewable energy generation, and this is currently the only official mechanism recognised by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in Great Britain for tracking renewable energy. Purchasing electricity on the British wholesale market and matching this with REGO certificates therefore allows Bryt Energy to ensure an equivalent amount of electricity has been generated through renewables.
Our investments
We are committed to socially responsible investing. Our Endowment Investment Policy (PDF) excludes investment in companies classified as oil and gas producers (exploration for, drilling, production, refining, supply, distribution, and retail) or those that supply oil equipment, services, or distribution. Our divestment from fossil fuel company shares was completed in 2019; we have held no investments in oil and gas companies since that time. Our portfolio also excludes companies that derive more than 5% of their revenue from thermal coal or the production of oil from tar sands.
Beyond divestment, we are actively exploring how our endowment investments can be used to support companies that have a positive impact. In the 2023/24 academic year, 7.6% (£3.9 million) of the University's Endowment was allocated to impactful investments, including in renewable energy organisations, such as Renewables Infrastructure Group, Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Fund, Greenko Solar & Wind, and Hydro One.
'Switch Off' campaigns
Each year during the Christmas and Easter breaks, the University organises a 'Switch Off' campaign, encouraging staff and students to switch off equipment and appliances to save energy and reduce carbon emissions.
During our recent Christmas Switch Off campaign, we saw some impressive reductions in electricity and energy use and were delighted to report that further savings were made in the 2024-25 Christmas period compared with the corresponding period in 2023-24. Electricity consumption was 47% lower than a 'typical' period and heating consumption was 27% lower than a 'typical' period.
In addition to these campaigns, we have implemented various permanent measures that aim to further reduce our energy consumption across campus. For example, we've invested in installing new LED lighting and motion sensors in several buildings, ensuring electricity is not wasted. We also encourage our community to save energy both on campus and at home throughout the year.
Laboratory energy efficiency
Laboratories are essential to research and learning, but they are also among the most resource-intensive spaces on university campuses. These spaces contribute significantly to the University's overall carbon footprint. For example, wet labs occupy approximately 7% of floor space at the University of Sheffield, yet they accounted for 50% of our reported institutional emissions in 2018-19.
In response, the University of Sheffield has adopted LEAF, to help make labs more sustainable and energy efficient. LEAF, developed at and managed by University College London and currently implemented in 121 organisations, provides practical actions for labs to increase the efficiency of resource use. Since piloting the scheme in October 2024, 10 labs have achieved Bronze Accreditation, with one lab achieving Silver Accreditation. The adoption of LEAF across the organisation will support the University in achieving its net-zero carbon targets across all scopes, and bring several additional benefits, including financial savings from the reduced use of electricity, as well as lab consumables and water.
There are many other projects being undertaken across the University to help reduce our energy usage and increase energy efficiency. For example, the School of Biosciences is cutting energy use by optimising its fleet of Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) freezers, achieving energy savings without compromising sample preservation. The project found that raising temperatures of the ULT freezers from -80°C to -70°C led to energy savings of over 20%, with no impact on sample preservation. Furthermore, by replacing older, inefficient freezers and consolidating storage, the school plans to reduce its freezer fleet by 12 units, cutting energy consumption by nearly 50%.