Arcadis has been appointed by the University of Leeds to deliver its net zero carbon programme.

The university has set a goal to reach net zero targets by 2030 and has secured significant capital investment to begin the journey of assessing existing operational energy associated with its existing assets.

Arcadis will deliver programme management plus project and commercial management services. 

The programme will include developing and delivering a low energy building strategy that would include potential building and buildings systems interventions to enable net zero. 

The plan focuses on the key elements of electrification of heat - switching away from fossil fuels - procuring renewable electricity through a power purchase agreement and the introduction of energy efficiency measures across the estate.

Due to the high cost and potentially disruptive nature of the interventions required Arcadis, alongside the appointed technical teams, is modelling solutions which allow the university to take a portfolio view across its estates to help prioritise these investments. 

As the university undertakes its programme of deep retrofit works, the thermal comfort of its building stock will be improved, reducing cold and draughts in winter and avoiding overheating in summer. Ultimately this will improve the quality of the built environment for staff, students and visitors.

Ben Small, project director at Arcadis, said: “We’re extremely proud to be supporting the University of Leeds in its goals to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the UK and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. 

“The university has an extensive estate consisting of varied assets that rely heavily on gas and fossil fuels. The project will make crucial steps in establishing which interventions are best deployed to efficiently support the move towards net zero carbon.”

Brian Ford, head of capital development at the University of Leeds, added: “Working in collaboration with academic colleagues and students - and with massive investment by the university – we are laying the groundwork for emissions reductions to achieve our target of net zero by 2030. 

“Interventions include targeted refurbishment of buildings and the installation of low carbon technologies across the estate, and this work is already underway.”