Bradford College Receives £2.6m Grant to Help Tackle Climate Change
Summary
Bradford College has been awarded a \xa32.6 million grant for energy-efficiency works that will contribute to ambitious national net-zero targets.Delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Phase 3c Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) aims to slash energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.The Scheme targets public sector buildings that still use fossil fuels for heating, hot water, and catering. In total, more than \xa3530 million of funding is being handed to schools, hospitals, fire stations, universities and other public buildings across the country to help tackle climate change.With a Bradford College contribution taking the funding total to over \xa33 million, the project will connect the David Hockney building and Advanced Technology Centre to the Bradford Energy Network by March 2026. Buildings on the Bradford district heating network will benefit from an 85-90% reduction in emissions, contributing to a city-wide reduction in emissions of approximately 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the first phase of the network.Bradford College is one of 189 public sector organisations nationwide that were awarded grants for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency schemes. Phase 3c is the latest funding released by the Department for Energy Security to achieve net zero targets.Director of Programmes at Salix Ian Rodger said:Climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time and we are pleased to be working with Bradford College on reducing its carbon footprint.Our teams will work closely with the college as they progress their decarbonisation journey, ensuring these buildings not only become more energy efficient but better places in which to work and study.Alongside this grant, other upcoming Bradford College capital work includes improvement of the fabric of buildings for optimum thermal performance, the incorporation of high levels of natural daylight to reduce artificial light sources in new buildings, energy-efficient LED lighting and optimising lighting control, as well as adding social value by targeting local SME labour and supply chains.The PSDS grant comes as Bradford College was announced winner of the national Planet Earth Games the biggest sustainability competition for the UK further education sector. Student and staff were encouraged to participate in various planet-friendly challenges to earn points for the College from tree planting and litter picking to green commuting.