Carbon Net Zero by 2035

The College is monitoring energy usage in real-time using Eyesense, an AI-driven, distributed energy management system on our main site and one of our satellite sites, the Dorothy Wadham Building. Eyesense automatically controls heating based on real-time occupancy and comfort data. We have also installed plugs connected to Eyesense to monitor and optimise electrical usage. We have fitted over 480 Eyesense devices and these, together with our other energy saving improvements, are reducing energy consumption, environmental impact and bills.

Our Scope 1 emissions have reduced year-on-year and are around 13% lower in 2024-25 against 2021-22 levels. Scope 2 emissions have also reduced year-on-year and in 2024-25 are around 21% lower than 2021-22 levels. We were pleased to receive Highly Commended, with EyeSense, in the UK Green Business Awards 2025 in the Green Heat category. These awards highlight some of the most inspiring and innovative projects and campaigns in the UK today.

We have a mix of historic buildings, including the foundation buildings in the Front Quad dating back to the seventeenth century, more modern buildings constructed in the twentieth century before regulations required higher standards of thermal efficiency, and our newest buildings.  Many of our historic buildings in particular are thermally inefficient and require heating to a higher level. We are doing as much as possible to address this. 

In January 2025, we completed the reroofing project on the north range of the Front Quad. We were pleased to receive a Building Conservation Highly Commended Award from Oxford Preservation Trust for this work. The project included the addition of hemp insulation and secondary glazing to improve thermal performance. In so far as we can within our financial constraints, and where listed building consent can be obtained, we will continue to upgrade our buildings to improve energy efficiency.

Behavioural change can make a significant difference to energy consumption without financial investment and we are continuing to engage our community in energy saving initiatives.

Some of our energy-saving measures are as follows:

• Gas for hot water accounts for half of the gas we use, so we are changing hot water gas boilers to electric sunamp cubes to remove the gas. We have installed sunamp cubes in Staircases 20 and 23.
• We have reduced our water usage. We installed flow monitors in Staircases 10, 11, and KA, which tells us how much water is used there. Dual flush toilets are replaced with single flush toilets with water-saving devices during staircase refurbishments. Water-saving devices are being fitted to showers as part of our maintenance programme.
• We no longer use electric heaters in our Library's reading rooms; instead, blankets are available for students who prefer to work in temperatures above 18⁰C.
• We use a lot of paint at the College, so we researched and engaged with Graphenstone, a company that makes natural and breathable paint. Their zero-carbon is made out of graphene and lime, which takes carbon out of the air as it dries.
• We are replacing our lighting with LED bulbs. These automatically dim when not in use.
• New energy-efficient appliances replace end-of-life equipment. For example, hot and cold counters in the refurbished Refectory are energy efficient.
• We have added secondary glazing to listed buildings where conservation approval allows. New building developments are double glazed.
• Sustainability was central to the construction of the William Doo Undergraduate and Dr Lee Shau Kee Buildings, which were completed in 2021. They were designed to maximise natural light and have solar panels on their roofs.
• The College has obtained Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) where these are required for its building. The Dr Lee Shau Kee Building received an EPC certificate with a B energy grade on 11 December 2020. We also have EPCs for other College-owned premises where these are required.

We promote energy-saving actions and correct recycling in communal staff and student areas. Our students are encouraged to get involved with the Student Switch Off. This is a not-for-profit campaign encouraging student action on climate change in university halls of residences.