Oxford University’s Wolfson College

Project overview

Located alongside the River Cherwell, Oxford University’s Wolfson College is working to decarbonise its estate following a £5m grant from Phase 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The project is estimated to save 846 tonnes of carbon annually.

Founded in 1966, the college’s estate includes Brutalist buildings by iconic architecture duo Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, which are grade II listed. Over the last decade, Wolfson College’s team has worked to increase the sustainability of its buildings by installing solar photovoltaic cells to the roof of the main building along with a green roofing system made from sedum, a flowering succulent, on the academic wing.

The college’s 2020 estate strategy pledged to sharpen its focus to decarbonisation. Its release was accompanied by an energy audit and decarbonisation plan which sought to assess the areas in need of improvement. This evaluation was facilitated by the Low Carbon Skills Fund, which is also funded by The Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy and delivered by Salix Finance.

The energy audit in 2020 revealed that upgrades were needed if the college was to meet its 2030 net-zero goal.

Furthermore, the college’s Phase 2 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme project sought to improve energy efficiency by installing decarbonising technologies such as double glazing and air source heat pumps.