By Chenoa Colaco
LSE has been granted £2,697,890 through the Public Services Decarbonisation Scheme, a project spearheaded by the government’s Energy Security and Net Zero department. The grant will be used to phase-out fossil-fuel-based heating in the LSE Library and Connaught House.
Global professional services company Turner & Townsend was commissioned to assess LSE’s direct carbon emissions, recommending that LSE install air source heat pumps and enhance existing solar panels and LED lighting circuits in both buildings.
This project is part of LSE’s overarching goal to achieve net-zero direct carbon emissions by 2030; phasing out fossil fuel heating is Scope 1 of the three-scope plan.
LSE’s interim President and Vice Chancellor Professor Eric Neumayer said: “We are thrilled to have received the PSDS funding grant. Our buildings and their operations are crucial to maintaining our student experience and to addressing our climate impact. This funding will help LSE accelerate on the journey towards our net zero goals.”
Students expressed approval at LSE’s work towards net-zero, but some voiced concerns about construction works and the School’s investment practices.
A current MSc student, who also completed their undergraduate degree at LSE, said: “After being at LSE for 4 years, I’ve experienced some campus construction and how noisy and inconvenient it can be. The library is a huge part of campus, and knowing LSE, these works will be dragged out as long as possible.”
Another student believes that these changes do not distract from LSE’s indirect investments in oil and gas companies: “LSE is putting a sticking plaster over its complicity; it thinks that using taxpayer money for some new infrastructure and dedicating a bit of its own money to sustainable grants can make up for its unethical investments in oil companies and the fossil fuel industry.”
An LSE spokesperson said: “LSE’s plans to develop the Lionel Robbins Building and Connaught House are instrumental in phasing out fossil-fuel-based heating and advancing our goal of ‘reaching net-zero and reducing our direct environmental impact’ as affirmed in the School’s Sustainability Strategic Plan.
“Students’ education and learning is of utmost importance and, to this end, we have extended the programme of work to take account of study, learning and exam periods. Any potential disruption will be kept to a minimum as far as possible. In addition, the LSE Estates team will work with relevant stakeholders, who may be impacted by the works, to understand their concerns and keep them updated on progress and upcoming works.”
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