The University of Bath is a creative, innovative and collaborative community who consistently push for change and this culture has the power to create transformative waves of action. Our Net Zero Carbon Campus Fund (NZCCF) offers an opportunity to harness these skills and drive impactful action as a member of staff or student to shape our shared sustainable future.

The fund is open for submissions, and we encourage staff and students to apply for funding to support pilot projects, new ideas and innovative solutions.

Richard Jackson, Director of Sustainability, explains:

This fund provides a fantastic opportunity for staff and students to be actively involved in reducing our environmental impact. It encourages new forms of innovation within our community and supports a collaborative approach to finding and delivering solutions. We are able to provide this seed funding for innovation thanks to alumni donations, and we value the diversity of projects this allows us to support.

Project achievements

In the past academic year, the fund has helped to deliver three unique and impactful projects across the University.

Assessing e-waste associated with teaching in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering

Melusine Pigeon, Lecturer in Electronic & Electrical Engineering, who ran this project shared:

The money we obtained from the fund has been instrumental for our department in our efforts to identify and address the key sources of e-waste in our labs. By understanding the main causes of waste, such as improper return of components, we can now implement targeted solutions to significantly reduce e-waste. This not only promotes sustainability but also enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of our lab practices, ultimately benefiting both the environment and the educational experience of our students. Looking ahead, the findings from this study could lead to the development of more sustainable lab protocols and inspire similar initiatives across other departments in the University. This proactive approach to e-waste management has the potential to set new standards in engineering education, fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation that will benefit future generations of students and the broader community.

Team Bath Racing Electric

Funding support from the Sustainability Team helped Team Bath Racing Electric to create the first full carbon fibre monocoque using eco-friendly practices. They re-designed the manufacturing process to use recyclable, non-hazardous MDF instead of the traditional dense plastic compound. This change reduced environmental harm and allowed for effective carbon fibre manufacturing training. We were inspired by the innovation and enthusiasm shown in this project towards sustainability in a traditional fossil fuel industry, and we are encouraged that students in this project are equipped with the sustainability skills to drive change in this industry.

Student engineers energy saving competition

In response to the climate emergency, the Chemical Engineering Sustainability Group (CESG) and the Bath Climate Action Group (BCAG) organised an educational competition in the Faculty of Engineering & Design to engage students in addressing energy efficiency on campus. Participants identified energy-related improvements, conducted analyses, and presented their solutions in poster form. The competition fostered awareness, education, and practical engagement while receiving positive student feedback. This project is a fantastic display of young people driving positive change and shifting the narrative around sustainability.

The University is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and this will only be achieved with significant action across all areas of our operations. The scope for taking action is vast and offers exciting prospects for new ideas to turn into impactful solutions. The support and funding available from the Net Zero Carbon Campus Fund will help support innovation and action from all parts of our community.