Energy and Carbon

Objective 

LSE aims to reduce its energy consumption and improve efficiency in buildings and equipment to reduce our carbon footprint.  Our target is cut our carbon emissions by 54% by 2020 compared with a 2005 baseline. Our Carbon Management Plan and Energy Policy sets out our strategy for achieving this.   

Initiatives

• All new buildings and refurbishments works are delivered to high sustainability standards. Our most recent new building, the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, achieved BREEAM Outstanding - the highest sustainability rating available. The forthcoming Centre Buildings Redevelopment also has stringent energy and sustainability targets. 

• £2.3m has been invested in retrofitting 10 LSE buildings with energy-efficiency measures, in partnership with the Mayor of London's RE:FIT scheme. Ongoing maintinance projects help improve energy efficiency across campus, including rolling out LED lighting, low-energy lifts and other measures.

• Heating and cooling controls in buildings are energy-efficient whilst delivering comfort for building users, through optimising our automated Building Management System.

• LSE's solar PV panels generate 78,000kWh of electricity per year - that's enough to power the Lakatos Building!  Combined Heat and Power boilers also provide low-carbon heat and electricity.  

• Across campus teams of LSE staff and students are involved in Green Impact, a programme to help teams of people green up their own departments, which in 2014-15 saved an estimated 79 tCO₂ per year, equivalent to around £12,000.

• LSE students living in halls of residence reduced electricity use by 6 per cent through their participation in the Student Switch-Off competition.  This saved 78 tCO₂, equivalent to around £11,000.

LSE’s carbon footprint has increased by 5.5 per cent compared with our 2005 baseline. However, taking into account the growth of the School during this period, carbon emissions per m2 of floorspace have decreased by 13 per cent, whilst emissions per capita of student and staff have fallen by 8.5 per cent, due to energy efficiency measures we have introduced. This is shown in the chart below.

How can you save energy at LSE?

There are some simple actions you can take to save energy and reduce your personal carbon footprint:

1. Switch it off - if you're away from your computer over 5 mins switch off the screen.
2. Personal heaters and fans can confuse office thermostats, and make everyone too hot / cold;  personal electrical items that haven't been PAT-tested may also be a health and safety risk.  Ideally close / open windows, or dress for the season;  if not, try to adjust the office's heating / cooling.  If all else fails, ask Estates to check the controls.
3. Last one out? Switch off lighting and equipment.
4. Take the stairs. Great for your health, and great for slimming down LSE's energy bill.