The University has been awarded £1.13million for the installation of energy-saving measures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in a scheme delivered by Salix Finance.

We will use the funding to install a range of carbon-reducing measures as part of our refurbishment of Boldon House at Pity Me in Durham City.

The government funding will help to replace the current gas-fired heating system at Boldon House. We will install brand new air-source heat pumps, solar panels, improved roof insulation and updated windows.

Boldon House, Pity Me

The Carbon reduction project at Boldon House represents our biggest single investment to cut carbon dioxide emissions across our estate. By converting the building to use solar and air-source heating, as well as installing insulation measures, we’re aiming to create an exemplar building for the University in terms of sustainability.

More widely, as part of our commitment to make Durham one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK, we have signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Accord. One of its aims is to address the urgency of climate change. The Boldon House re-development will help us to meet these goals, along with many other activities.

Durham’s colleges go head-to-head

At the end of Epiphany Term, we hosted the annual Sustainability Varsity. The competition takes place between our colleges, and measures who can earn the most points on our My Greenspace platform across three categories – ‘get involved’, ‘waste’ and ‘energy’.

The winners of the competition will be awarded the Professor David Harper Sustainability Varsity trophy at the Greenspace Festival on 14 June at Grey College. Save the date and follow our social media and SharePoint to stay updated!