Energy use and CO₂ emissions in the UK universities: An extended Kaya identity analysis
Eskander, S. M., Nitschke, J. (2021)
Highlights
- Despite their overall failure, the UK universities have reduced emissions by 29% between 2012-13 and 2018-19.
- Main contributors behind this reduction are carbon efficiency of energy generation, energy intensity of income generation, and increased income.
- Main obstacles are increased number of students and reduced share of renewable energy sources.
- Stronger supervision and increased adoption of renewables will be necessary for further emissions reduction by the UK universities.
Abstract
This paper investigates the progress of UK universities in greening their energy use in line with the United Kingdom’s objective of becoming a net-zero economy by 2050. Using Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) estate management data for 116 universities over the period 2012–13 to 2018–19, the study applies a Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method within an extended Kaya identity framework.
The analysis decomposes changes in total CO₂ emissions into multiple contributing factors, with particular attention to the role of different energy sources in shaping energy use and carbon efficiency. Between 2012–13 and 2018–19, universities reduced emissions by 29%, while overall energy consumption remained largely stable. These reductions were mainly driven by improvements in the emission coefficient effect (−24%) and energy intensity effect (−25%).
Correlation analysis confirms that emission coefficient, energy intensity, and affluence effects are the main contributors to annual changes in emissions, with estimated correlation coefficients of 0.42, 0.66, and −0.24, respectively. Despite these gains, the share of renewable energy sources declined by 2.2%, and increasing student numbers contributed to the sector’s failure to meet the 2020 target of a 43% emission reduction relative to 2005 levels. The results also reveal substantial regional variation in both mitigating and worsening factors, highlighting the need for stronger coordination and oversight by policymakers.
Keywords
emissions, energy, Kaya identity, universities
Citation
Eskander, S. M. S. U., Nitschke, J. (2021). Energy use and CO₂ emissions in the UK universities: An extended Kaya identity analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 309, 127199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127199