Commitment to Carbon Neutral University

The University of Newcastle remains committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, as outlined in our Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019–2025. This plan details priority actions and success measures in carbon management and emissions reduction. We report broader carbon emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) to the University Council, our governing body. Scope 1 and 2 emissions are publicly reported through the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme at the facility level for the Callaghan campus.

Energy and carbon

The University is committed to renewable energy sources and carbon emission reduction, including through reducing our energy consumption across our campuses. As a part of our commitments from January 2020, the University campuses are using 100% renewable electricity. This is another step to our carbon neutrality by 2025 target.

The University publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1&2) as a part of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme at the facility level for the Callaghan campus. Additionally, the university reports its broader carbon emissions (scope 1, 2 & 3) to the university council.

Scope 1: All direct GHG emissions such as the use of natural gas.

Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions such as consumption of electricity, heat or steam.

Scope 3: GHG emitted due to the university’s activities but emitted outside the university’s direct control such as emission from waste to landfill, staff work travel, etc.

The University undertakes continuous monitoring of energy consumption across our estate, including by building, campus and by energy source, to enable us to target efficiencies and consumption reductions to the highest impact facilities.

See the below graph for details on our 2024 monitoring.