Physical Estate & Operations

Carbon emissions that the university is directly responsible for. The carbon produced by the radiators in our campus buildings, for example, is a direct result of the University choosing to switch the heating on.  

Carbon emissions that are related offsite as a result of the University’s electricity use. For example, every time the University turns the lights on, we are asking our energy provider to produced electricity for us.  

Whenever we procure something, we create a lengthy chain of energy consumption – our Scope 3 emissions. This includes: purchased good and services, waste, business travel, employee commuting, capital goods and services, transportation and distribution. 

Energy decarbonisation: In the 2024/25 academic year, Falmouth University exceeded its annual emissions target, recording absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions of 1,898 tCO₂e against a plan target of 1,984 tCO₂e. Measured against our 2005/06 baseline, Penryn Campus has now seen a 63% reduction in emissions per m², and Falmouth Campus a 69% reduction — a continued improvement that reflects the ongoing energy efficiency of our buildings. 

Estates initiatives: Across both campuses, our estates team have been delivering a programme of energy decarbonisation projects. A pilot scheme is underway to convert Glasney Village Block A into an 'eco-block', combining an air source heat pump system, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and a building management system (BMS) with automatic monitoring and targeting to generate energy efficiency. LED lighting has been installed throughout corridors and main rooms in Glasney Parc phase one, reducing energy use and improving living conditions for students. New solar PV infrastructure has also been installed on the Daphne Du Maurier (DDM) building, providing 215.1 kWp of installed capacity and generating an estimated 193 MWh of renewable energy annually, delivering carbon savings of around 40 tCO₂e per year. Sub-metering upgrades 13 have continued across Glasney Village residential blocks, ensuring all meters are accurately recording and transmitting data to support future efficiency improvements.

Sustainable Procurement: 

• Our Responsible Procurement Strategy continues to take a triple bottom line approach, balancing environmental, social and local economic factors, with carbon reduction and social value accounting for 20% of scoring across all tenders.
• 87% of our core suppliers hold a carbon reduction policy, and 92% have committed to a social value strategy.
• 94% of core suppliers have joined our NETPositives supplier engagement platform, through which they develop their own sustainability action plans, with a target of 100% for the 2025/26 academic year.
• 37% of our overall supply chain is based in Cornwall and Devon — with 54% of our total supplier spend also based in the two counties.
• The Sustainability Café achieved accreditation from the Vegetarian Society, recognising its fully vegetarian menu (which includes a range of vegan options).

Sustainable Travel: 

• We hold the Gold award under the Cycle Friendly Employer programme. This is the highest level of recognition for the facilities and support employers provide to encourage cycling and active travel, with re-accreditation planned for 2027.
• Campus commuting emissions dropped by 4.8% to 1,684 tCO₂e this year, reflecting progress across our three travel plan pillars: infrastructure improvement, service level improvement, and behaviour change and communications.
• The annual staff and student commuting travel survey received responses from 268 students and 190 staff members across Falmouth University, FX Plus and the Student Union, helping to inform improvements to travel services and infrastructure.
• We engaged with Sustrans for eight events across the year, offering free bike repair, security marking and travel consultations for all campus users.
• 250 free Beryl Bike codes were distributed across the campus community, promoting the e-bike hire scheme. 

Waste & Recycling:

• This year we achieved a 13.2% reduction in general waste and a 23.4% increase in recycling and food waste collection across our campuses, largely attributed to cleaner waste separation and more widely available recycling streams.
• The installation of a new compactor has led to an 80% reduction in transport-related emissions for waste and recycling removal from site, while also delivering substantial cost savings.
• Tetra Pak recycling has continued to grow, with retail outlets doing an excellent job of recycling empty soya milk and oat milk cartons.
• Recycling of hard-to-recycle items (including medicinal blister packs, pens and toothpaste tubes) has increased significantly, with collected waste upcycled into items such as planters, chairs and picnic benches. 

Campus Biodiversity: 

• We received the Green Flag Award for the eighth consecutive year, administered by Keep Britain Tidy — one of just five locations recognised across Cornwall.
• 290m² of wildflower turf has been secured and planted across Penryn Campus, alongside 3,358 wildflowers and 120 trees planted as part of our ongoing biodiversity enhancement programme.