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The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is one of 48 universities so far taking part in a government-sponsored effort to curb the carbon impact of getting a degree in the UK.

With more than 170,000 square metres of floor space and 40 properties around the capital the LSE is energy-hungry: in 2006/07 its energy budget was some £2.5 million for gas, oil and electricity. The use of renewable electricity in many buildings has already reduced the greenhouse gas emissions significantly to 6,920 tonnes in 2007 and numerous energy efficiency projects underway which shave another 1,000 tonnes off that.

The Higher Education Carbon Management Scheme, supported by the Carbon Trust, offers institutions advice on cutting waste, energy, emissions – and bills. And it seems to be working: the universities taking part in 2006 generated a saving of 55,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and £3 million.

LSE’s Environmental Manager, Victoria Hands says: ‘The School is looking at all areas of activity and involving a broad range of stakeholders to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Its new Academic Building – designed to achieve an ‘excellent’ rating by the Building Research Establishment’s environmental method (BREEAM) – incorporates a number of energy-saving features. For starters they didn’t simply bulldoze the old building and start again, with all the new materials and waste that would imply: parts of the old building have been re-used with the foundation, the façade and the structure reintegrated into the design. A ground-source pump extracts cold water from an aquifer approximately 75 metres deep to provide comfort cooling to teaching rooms and lecture theatres. The basement houses recycling facilities and secure bicycle parking, showers and lockers. A highly efficient boiler has replaced the 1980s model, making a significant impact on energy consumption. Elongated windows on the lower floors and an atrium allow lots of daylight in, reducing the need for electric light, which is further controlled by movement detectors. Offices and seminar rooms have adjustable fan units which may be turned off if windows are open. Lecture theatres and classrooms have air quality and temperature sensors to regulate heating or cooling. Solar thermal collectors on the roof will supplement hot water requirements. The roof has also been strengthened to support two wind turbines that may be installed with the appropriate planning permission. A rooftop garden attracts birds and insects.

LSE has adopted sustainable and renewable energy measures throughout its buildings. New monitoring systems regulate indoor temperatures providing heating and cooling in the most efficient way. These systems are kept at a minimum during holidays. A software programme controls energy consumption in many buildings and halls of residence.

Director of planning and development, Julian Robinson, says he’s proud to be working for an organisation that is serious about its wider environmental obligations. He sees the new academic building setting a benchmark ‘which we will expect to exceed on our next major building project’.