University research and innovation have been critical to advancing climate goals. What more should these institutions do to optimise the modern digital campus?
Technological advancements help universities provide their students with a better education. Considering the modern climate issues, the growing digital landscape also helps a campus reduce its environmental impact.
Are modern campus sustainability goals enough to meet emission standards? Jack Shaw, writer and editor at Modded, explores how higher education digitisation affects the planet’s health.
How do universities contribute to climate change?
Universities are integral to society because they let students take the next step in their education. However, their negative environmental impacts are necessary to understand the changes within the modern digital campus.
The effects start with building energy consumption, as institutions rely on electricity to power technology and heat to comfort lecture halls.
Research showed UK educational institutions accounted for 18m tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in the 2020-2021 academic year. Therefore, the 537 schools constituted 2.3% of the country’s carbon footprint.
While the number is significant, the emissions could be higher. The Leeds University report says endowments and pensions could generate 39.2m tonnes of CO2e.
How the digital campus has spearheaded sustainability
While environmental impact is significant, universities have increased campus sustainability. Digitisation has been critical to modernising these institutions and reducing their environmental impact.
For example, Nottingham University received £2m for a smart energy grid and its net zero goals. The Faculty of Engineering’s DC microgrid takes advantage of renewable electricity and controls flow during peaks, thus enabling the net zero goals.
Nottingham’s smart grid leverages solar panels and electrolysers to harness power and store hydrogen after conversion. These units are essential because they produce energy for universities and reduce reliance on municipal systems.
Another stellar example comes from Cranfield University. The institution has influenced the country’s transportation sector by researching and developing digital twins.
With digital twins, you can manage resources better and optimise energy consumption. For example, the university has used them to monitor lecture room occupancy and identify environmental conditions. The classrooms are near airfields, so metrics like air quality are essential to student health.
Digital twins also let Cranfield University researchers understand soil conditions, water usage and other key factors. With the information, they can optimise campus life and ensure sustainability.
While institutions must tackle their environmental problems, they can wield their researchers to help the private sector. Universities across the United Kingdom have created sustainable business centres to determine how companies can endorse ethical consumption.
One illustration comes from the University of Sheffield and its TRANSFER project. This initiative aids energy and fashion retailers by researching sustainable consumption in each sector.
Fashion and energy may seem like two distinct sectors, but they are similar in seeking long-term growth and prosperity. Sheffield researchers contribute to sustainability efforts by investigating customer behaviour and revealing best future practices.
How can campus sustainability improve?
By introducing digital technology, universities have profoundly impacted sustainability efforts on campus. However, there is still more work to do.
UK institutions have yet to meet carbon reduction benchmarks despite efforts to offset their emissions. The future is bright as universities nationwide divest from fossil fuels, reducing the liability of these emissions.
One way to promote sustainability on a digital campus is to educate attendees on technology. Recent studies reveal 60% of students have integrated technology into their learning since the COVID-19 pandemic. Digitisation is beneficial unless they are unfamiliar with the tools.
When students have less access to digital technology, their views are different. A 2023 International Journal of Educational Research report found most students positively viewed education’s digitalisation. Without accessibility, they are more likely to have a negative perception.
Universities can start their campus sustainability initiatives by emphasising online education. Classrooms require power consumption to facilitate courses, so moving the lectures online could reduce resource usage.
While some classes are better in person, there are ways to digitise the material. For instance, virtual labs can remove the equipment typically used for experiments.
Another critical area for boosting sustainability is transportation demand. Increasing student adoption of buses, trains and cycling reduces dependence on automobiles.
Universities can further improve transportation by implementing smart systems. These mechanisms help students get to class and reduce their emissions through better transit.
For example, vehicle-to-infrastructure technology instantly alerts map applications when a wreck has occurred. This rapid information mitigates traffic jams because buses and cars know to avoid this area and potential congestion.
The digitisation of smart transportation systems also includes public transit. For example, students having real-time information about the next bus or train encourages usage because the arrival times are more reliable.
What challenges inhibit digital campus expansion?
Leveraging digital technology is excellent for improving campus sustainability efforts. These metrics show university leaders the effectiveness of their initiatives and what further actions are necessary.
However, the forward-thinking mindset with digital technology has some drawbacks. First, universities must consider the threat of data breaches and intrusions from outside forces.
At worst, these incidents could turn into a cyberattack. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said 97% of institutions reported a breach or attack in the past year.
Increased reliance on digital technology makes universities more vulnerable to these outside forces. If breached, the institution could sacrifice student privacy and information with their sensitive records. Faculty are also at risk, as they may be prominent names in their research fields.
Another risk of digitisation is increased electricity usage. While it has some benefits — such as online courses and fewer physical classrooms — the environmental liability can increase.
For instance, universities may use digital twins to monitor traffic patterns or off-campus data centres to store information. These extra devices consume energy and negatively impact the planet if you do not power them through renewables.
Inside the classrooms, professors may increase their usage of digital devices and displays. These screens reduce the need for paper and ink but require the buildings to draw more electricity.
The best solution is to connect the digital campus to solar panels and wind turbines. Some universities have turned to these technologies to reduce their environmental liability. For instance, the University of Manchester is constructing a 104,000-panel solar farm to supply 65% of its energy demand.
Another risk of digitisation is the increased e-waste due to discarded gadgets. Technology rapidly evolves, so what will universities do with outdated devices? The institutions must be careful about older computers and printers.
Advancing campus sustainability for better education
Universities are critical for educating young people and facilitating research. With the climate’s health at stake, these professors and institutions are more vital than ever. How can colleges digitise to achieve sustainability goals?
The approach should be holistic and healthy to continue supporting the environment. While initiatives such as digital twins help, they can harm by consuming too much energy. Universities must consider the best interests of the students and faculty while working with outside groups to improve their digital technologies.
