Managing net-zero strategies for a complex university estate

Building Estate departments across the country struggle to find an efficient and cost-effective way to meet net-zero targets of reduced operational and embodied carbon emissions. Often in dispute are the methods and the speed of delivery of any solution that reduces energy demand and carbon emissions associated with the building, particularly those requiring upgrading and retrofit. On one hand, buildings are predominantly heated with natural gas technology (gas boilers) with the potential to be replaced with electrical heating systems (heat pumps) in a fast and efficient manner. On the other, there are specific building envelope performance retrofit interventions that reduce energy demand but need to be archetype-specific and may take longer and impact occupants. Although the speed of carbon reduction and the initial upfront costs are deciding points to consider, other options need to be analysed, such as the whole-life carbon of solutions, maintenance, replacement costs and the thermal comfort of users over the occupation periods. This paper discusses the two methods outlining the social and economic impacts and an approach that considers a whole-life carbon balance that is relevant to the retrofit of non-domestic buildings in a university campus setting. The arguments between the two methods are well known, however, there are specific approaches which may lead to adopting more hybrid methods to achieve a “sweet spot” between the two at various stages of the process. Both have the potential to propose innovative advances through technology, new materials and the best use of energy sources, however, choosing only one approach is not the best way forward.