Sustainability at the University of Essex

Our buildings

We have solar panels on 11 buildings across the Colchester campus, and we currently generate approximately 2.5% of our own electricity on-site through these solar panels. There are projects underway to install more.

Essex Buisness School

• Our Essex Business School is the UK's first zero-carbon business school building.
• It has been estimated that the design of this building reduces emissions by 18%.
• The central courtyard is open to the sky and forms a water garden, collecting rood surface rainwater, which is used to irrigate the winter garden planting.
• The building has been orientated to maximise solar energy benefits, both through passive heat gains and PV energy.
• The 50 sqm solar array offsets 47.9 tonnes of CO2 annually, generating enough electrical energy to offset over 20% of the sites carbon emissions.

New Buildings and Refurbishment

At the University of Essex, we believe in responsible construction and refurbishment.

All our new build and refurbishment projects are assessed for sustainability performance and impacts, with BREEAM' very good' as the minimum rating expected for significant building projects.

Any new building must incorporate 15% renewables, increasing where funding allows.

We have a preference to invest in FSC certified furniture that complies with our ethical purchasing commitments.