What it takes to turn sustainability goals into tangible decarbonisation projects

Director of estates and facilities, Anita Edson, reflects on the key initiatives advancing Cardiff University’s net zero goals 

At the forefront of Cardiff University’s sustainability efforts is Anita Edson, whose leadership is driving significant progress toward achieving net zero emissions. As director of estates and campus facilities since 2021, Anita has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the university’s sustainability agenda. With more than a decade of experience in estates and facilities management within the higher education sector, Anita brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to creating a more sustainable future.

We had the chance to sit down with Anita following Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies’s visit to Cardiff University to discuss it’s decarbonisation plans. 

This holistic approach, which integrates research, operations, and community engagement, is central to Cardiff University’s strategy for reducing its carbon footprint.

When Anita joined the university three years ago, Cardiff had not yet established a dedicated net zero or energy management team. Recognising the need for a more structured approach, she focused on building a team with the expertise necessary to drive forward the university’s ambitious sustainability goals. 

She said: “Building a team is a key part of making this goal a reality.”

Today, this team includes individuals such as Alice Milanese, net zero programme manager, who has been instrumental in decarbonisation projects and Siôn Walters, net zero data analyst, who plays a critical role in tracking and analysing the university’s carbon footprint. They are joined byYasmine Ghorayeb, sustainability engagement officer, whose work focuses on inspiring and educating the university community to engage with sustainability initiatives.

Other key members of the team include Rhian Lewis-Davies, travel transport and parking services manager, who is responsible for reducing the carbon impact of transport across the campus; Georgina Taubman, waste minimisation manager, who is leading efforts to reduce waste and promote recycling; and Dr Mafalda Costa, biodiversity officer, whose focus on enhancing campus biodiversity supports the university’s broader environmental goals.

One of the first major undertakings for the team was the refurbishment of 51 Park Place in Cardiff city centre, a project that highlighted both the challenges and costs associated with achieving net zero standards in older buildings. However, the subsequent Re:fit project marked a significant milestone in the university’s decarbonisation efforts. Through the installation of 22,000 LED lights, solar panels, and pipe insulation in the university library, Cardiff University made tangible strides in improving energy efficiency. 

These upgrades served as foundational steps for further initiatives, such as Digarbon, the decarbonisation fund for tertiary education in Wales, a £20 million loan by Welsh Government, designed to support the higher and further education institutions in Wales in transitioning to low carbon campuses.

Anita explains that a key component of Cardiff University’s decarbonisation strategy is the adoption of a fabric first approach. This method prioritises improvements to the energy efficiency of a building’s structure before introducing renewable energy systems. 

By enhancing insulation, windows, and airtightness, the university reduces energy demand and carbon emissions, while simultaneously creating more comfortable and energy-efficient spaces. This approach ensures that renewable technologies, such as solar panels and heat pumps, operate at their highest potential, supporting the university’s broader goal of achieving net zero emissions.

“The fabric-first approach is crucial,” Anita notes. “It delivers long-term environmental and financial benefits while also enabling us to meet growing energy-efficiency standards.” 

The improvements made to Cardiff’s Tower and Law buildings through the Digarbon project, including upgrades to fume cupboards to improve ventilation efficiency and reduce energy consumption while maintaining safety standards, and enhanced pipework insulation, are examples of how this strategy is being applied to real-life projects.

While energy efficiency remains a central focus, Anita is also mindful of the financial realities of running a large university estate. She said: “We want to introduce a heat network eventually, and upgrade our building management systems as well, as these will result in substantial energy savings.”

With rising energy costs, optimising energy use is not only an environmental imperative but also a financial necessity. This focus on long term savings is reinforced by the support of senior leadership. 

Anita said: “Since I joined three years ago, I’ve seen significant growth in our sustainability initiatives. We have buy-in from the University Dean of Environmental Sustainability and Professor of Sustainable Engineering, Professor Monjur Mourshed, and senior members, which has been essential in driving forward these projects.”

Professor Mourshed’s research focuses on decarbonisation, resource efficiency, and climate change adaptation in net zero buildings and cities. He led the development of national decarbonisation pathway models for Wales and Bangladesh, working with governments and stakeholders to identify optimal strategies for achieving net zero targets. These models estimate energy demand, supply, and greenhouse gas emissions across sectors, providing a roadmap to reduce emissions.

The university’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy efficiency. Cardiff University is also making strides in waste management and sustainable travel, with Welsh Government funding enabling the introduction of more electric vehicles to the campus. Research into a sustainable travel plan is also underway, exploring ways to reduce the carbon impact of transportation across the university community.

Anita emphasises the role students play in Cardiff University’s sustainability efforts. She said:

“Students have an important role in this process. Living labs around the university work on projects focused on waste and travel, with academics and students collaborating with us to further our work.” 

These living labs serve as real-world environments where students, researchers, and staff come together to work on sustainability projects, using the campus as a testbed for solutions in areas like waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable travel. Anita explains that this collaboration ensures students are actively contributing to the university’s decarbonisation goals, not just learning about sustainability. The university’s Net Zero Institute, led by the dean of environmental sustainability and professor of sustainable engineering, supports these efforts, with initiatives such as carbon modelling helping to advance their sustainability work.

Anita acknowledges that there are still challenges to overcome, particularly around the sourcing of heat for the campus. She said: “One of our biggest challenges has been working out where best to source heat, whether through a district heat network or other residential solutions.”

However, she remains optimistic, pointing to the advantages presented by Wales’ natural resources. She added: “Wales is well-placed when it comes to wind and tidal energy, so there are opportunities to harness these resources in support of our sustainability goals.”

Looking ahead, Anita sees a bright future for Cardiff University’s sustainability initiatives. She said:

"We have a lot planned going forward. The focus will continue to be on energy savings, renewable energy, and expanding our heat networks. We’re also continuing to invest in recycling and sustainable travel options.” 

The university’s commitment to sustainability is firmly anchored in the principles of collaboration and innovation, with research and partnerships playing a critical role in driving positive change.

Anita’s leadership underscores the importance of long-term vision and collective action in achieving sustainability goals. By bringing together experts, engaging with senior leadership, and pursuing a comprehensive approach to decarbonisation, Cardiff University is setting an example for institutions across the UK and beyond. 

With continued investment in sustainable practices and a clear focus on the future, the university is making steady progress toward its goal of achieving a net zero campus - one that supports both the environment and the community it serves.