As part of an ambitious action plan to become carbon neutral by 2035, Jesus College has commissioned its first carbon inventory.

Greener Edge Ltd has been appointed by the College’s Environmental Sustainability Working Group (ESWG) to undertake a detailed analysis of its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. The company will gather data on outputs such as energy consumption, waste management, water usage, travel, and purchased goods and services over the 2022-23 academic year, and analyse the data to provide the College with a report on its baseline carbon footprint.

The first report, due in early summer, will inform the next steps towards reducing emissions, and further analyses (conducted annually) will enable Jesus to measure its progress towards becoming a fully sustainable college.

The challenges of making a positive impact on the College’s carbon footprint across all aspects of the estate, infrastructure and operations range from effectively managing waste and recycling to better conserving energy and enhancing biodiversity. The ESWG was established in Michaelmas term 2023 to oversee this work, and comprises Fellows, staff and students.

Greener Edge has supported several other Oxford colleges to establish their carbon footprint. Its data analysts uses a standardised methodology that is consistent with both the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, the Carbon Disclosure Project, and the Oxford University Estates Services Emissions Accounting Report. Stu Meades, the company’s Managing Director, said:

“Greener Edge are delighted to be working with Jesus College to support them with mapping their carbon footprint and identifying areas for reductions. We believe that data-based decision-making is essential in tackling climate change, and anticipate that the emissions report will become a firm foundation for targeted action to be undertaken by this high profile institution“