1.1.2 Measuring our wider scope 3 emissions Like many other organisations, our emissions reporting does not yet cover the wider scope 3 emissions, generated by our supply chain of goods and services, our digital footprint, our building projects, waste and water. Based on a desktop estimate of our Scope 3 emissions from 2021, we expect them to be c.10,000 tonnes CO2e per year; 55% higher again than the core emissions we currently report. We have also commissioned an embodied carbon assessment of our St Pancras extension project, estimating the carbon generated by manufacturing and transporting the materials used to build the extension. At over 50,000 tCO2e, this is more than five times the core annual emissions from running the Library. When considered alongside the scope 3 and embodied impact of our capital projects, we can see that targeting only our currently reported carbon emissions is not enough. If the Library is to truly reduce its environmental impact, and ultimately achieve net zero carbon, we must start measuring, reporting and reducing our scope 3 emissions. This is not simple. Scope 3 emissions are harder to measure, and where we have influence rather than control. We will need to gather new information. It will require a process of engagement with suppliers and contractors, starting with pilots in a few areas, chosen because they are material. We have assessed the materiality of our emissions against the well-established scope 3 categories in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Of the 15 categories, we believe the material ones to be: • Category 1 (purchased goods and services, which are potentially 80% of our scope 3, based on the 2021 desktop study) • Category 2 (capital goods) • Category 3 (fuel and energy-related activities) • Category 7 (employee commuting and home-working) • Potentially Categories 4 and 9 (upstream and downstream transportation and distribution). We will, therefore, start by focussing on improving our data quality and reporting in these material areas, reporting scope 3 in our accounts from 2024/5 onwards. Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy_2024_Final Issued.docx 17
1.1.3 Setting carbon emission targets Mandatory targets • Long-term: Achieving net zero emissions at or before 2050 in line with the UK Government’s commitments expressed in the Climate Change Act 2008 (with 2019 target amendments) • Medium-term: These government commitments also have a medium-term target of a 78% reduction by 2035, compared to 1990 levels • Near-term: The current Greening Government Commitments target is for a 58% reduction by 2025/6 compared to a 2017/18 baseline in reported emissions and a 25% reduction in direct emissions (oil and gas). These are being reviewed by government for 2026/7 onwards. Library targets • In this strategy period we will meet or exceed the mandatory targets above: o The net zero by 2050 target will be taken to cover all emissions (scopes 1, 2, and 3) o We will review our targets in 2027, with a commitment to move faster if feasible. • We will also set a challenging stretch target of a 4% average annual reduction in energy use. We will achieve this by adapting our buildings, collection management, technology and transport to reduce our emissions. Sections 1.2 onwards sets out these areas for action. 1.1.4 The role of offsetting Even after making real reductions, some residual carbon emissions will remain, and so there will be a role for offsetting towards 2050. The well-respected Science Based Targets Initiative recommends no more than 10% of baseline emissions should be offset (across scopes 1, 2 and 3) in order to reach net zero, and we will apply this commitment. We do not currently offset any emissions and we don’t intend to during this strategy period, since the priority is to use any available funding to invest in measures which cut our own energy use and carbon emissions (as an arms-length body of government, it is also not clear that we can use our core funding for offsetting without seeking specific permission). We will, however, begin to explore options such as tree planting at Boston Spa, Camden Council’s offset fund, ring-fencing cost savings as energy-use falls, and collaborative shared infrastructure projects. Our approach to offsetting may evolve as we learn more. Between 2024–2030 our aims are to: • improve the data we have on energy and carbon through upgrading our Building Management System (BMS) at St Pancras, installing sub-metering and developing real-time energy dashboards • understand, measure, reduce, and report our wider scope 3 emissions. We will start with those areas which are most material plus those smaller elements where we already gather the data required. This will be a gradual process and one where we will learn as we go • explore options for residual emissions towards 2030 • [See detail in section 4.4 on Procurement] engage our supply chains in carbon reporting and carbon reduction. Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy_2024_Final Issued.docx 18
1.2. Energy use of existing buildings Current status Gas and electricity use in our largest buildings are the primary sources of our current core carbon emissions. We use gas boilers both for heating and for generating steam for humidification, plus some for catering. Given the price of utilities, energy savings makes good financial sense as well as environmental sense. Sustainability is a key theme in our Estates Strategy and has long been an area for action. Our emissions have fallen year-on-year due to a wide range of different projects to tackle heating and lighting. Most recently £7.9 million of funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has enabled some major projects including: • St Pancras o solar thermal for hot water o LED lighting in the basements at St Pancras • Boston Spa o solar photo-voltaic (PV) for electricity o a large ground source heat pump. These decarbonisation projects are well-progressed but are not all yet fully delivering, and the benefits are expected to be fully reflected in our emissions for 2024/25. Delivering net zero carbon: To reach net zero carbon we will apply the well-established Energy Hierarchy: Understand: We will update our BMS and improve our energy monitoring data (see 1.1). Be lean: Our target is to reduce energy use by an average of 4% year-on-year between now and 2050, despite the steps up in energy-use expected in 2026, when Building 33 comes online, and again after 2030, when the St Pancras extension becomes operational. Be clean: To reach net zero we need feasible, costed plans that radically reduce our reliance on gas, and either generate more electricity onsite or identify other sources of clean energy. Full decarbonisation plans for both existing sites are not yet in place and are a key next step. At the time of writing, we are creating such a plan for our St Pancras site, utilising a grant from the Greater London Authority. Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy_2024_Final Issued.docx 19
To get off gas and decarbonise our heat there are two main potential options: • Replace gas boilers with heat pumps or other forms of electric heating • Connect to a fully decarbonised district heating network. Air source heat pumps are the most likely option in the near term. However, with the Government’s heat network zoning expected to come into force in 2025, under which most of central London will be classed as a heat network zone, it is possible that the St Pancras site will be mandated to connect to a heat network unless it meets exemption criteria. The Somers Town heat network is around 300m from our St Pancras building, and so remains a future option. Be green: Once our heating is no longer powered by gas, full decarbonisation will be achieved by ensuring the electricity we use comes from renewable sources. This starts by maximising renewable generation onsite, for example through the installation of solar panels. Our remaining electricity needs will come from the National Grid. The grid’s carbon emissions are falling as increasingly more of the UK’s electricity mix comes from renewables, and so our carbon emissions per unit will naturally fall and we will track closer to net zero. It cannot be guaranteed, however, that the Grid will reach zero emissions, so options include: • signing up for a renewable electricity tariff backed by Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO). While this is the easiest option, the legitimacy of REGOs is questionable • signing up to a Power Purchase Agreement, purchasing directly from a renewable energy generator, with a proportion still provided through a standard or REGO-backed supplier • building our own renewable generation assets on land purchased for the purpose, again with a proportion of electricity still provided through a standard supplier. Between 2024–2030 our aims are to: • actively seek year-on-year energy efficiency improvements across St Pancras and Boston Spa, targeting a 4% average reduction in energy use each year, despite the growth in the collection. To include identifying and implementing quick wins, energy efficient lighting throughout both sites, improving lighting and heating controls, using an updated asset register to identify opportunities for replacing inefficient and aging or broken plant with higher-efficiency versions, increasing building fabric insulation and air tightness where viable, continuing to implement onsite renewable energy technology (e.g. solar panels) where feasible, and contributing to a review of occupancy and use of our spaces • create and begin to implement full decarbonisation plans for existing sites. To include finding technically feasible solutions for replacing all remaining gas and oil boilers at St Pancras and Boston Spa, whilst maintaining the conditions required for the collection, and replacing gas used for catering. These plans must meet or exceed the targets in Section 1.1 • seek routes to funding for the plans above, through internal business cases and external fundraising, from available public sector funds, grant makers and private donors. Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy_2024_Final Issued.docx 20
1.3.
Our new spaces
The Library is growing year-on-year, because of our fundamental purpose to store, and enable
access to, all published material in the UK.
We have three significant capital projects in different stages of development. While these new
buildings are designed to be fully electric and highly efficient, they will still need power to heat and
light, which will increase our carbon emissions.
St Pancras
The extension at St Pancras will be an all-electric building, targeting net zero carbon in operation,
alongside passive measures. Embodied carbon will be considered in the choice of materials, and
it has been designed to be a long-lasting and low carbon emitting building, meeting high
environmental standards. Biodiversity net gain will be delivered through extensive planting,
designed for public access.
We are working with the Knowledge Quarter to minimise vehicle movements in the area, with the
aim of improving air quality, and the new development will provide high-quality cycling facilities to
encourage active travel to the new offices.
Boston Spa
Our transformation plans at Boston Spa embed sustainability as a golden thread throughout the
programme and forecasts a 34% reduction in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) by
2050.
The new build facility, Building 33, comprises a low energy Logistics Hub including PV cells to the
roof alongside a completely passive automated storage void. The building is on track to achieve
accreditation as BREEAM1 Outstanding.
The largest existing building on site, Building 6, will be partially refurbished, incorporating new
curtain walling, facade repairs and improved infrastructure and staff facilities. It targets BREEAM
Excellent. The scheme is further optimised by connection to the existing ground source heat
pump installation.
The programme has already generated sustainability benefits by removing from site two
inefficient older buildings (a third will be vacated at the end of the programme). A reorganisation
of staff spaces and a consolidated logistics location for the site will improve connectivity and
reduce vehicle transfers. Increased landscaping will drive biodiversity onsite and further improve
staff and visitor wellbeing.
Leeds
We’re aiming for our new site in Leeds to be an exemplar of contemporary sustainable design.
Responsible use of materials will apply across the development – starting with our intentions to
breathe new life into an existing heritage building. Retrofitting, rather than building from scratch,
provides major reductions in embodied carbon.
Our fit-out design for Leeds incorporates a bespoke sustainability framework, which draws on
best practice across a range of recognised standards to create a comprehensive view of the site’s
sustainability. A BREEAM pre-assessment demonstrates that an Excellent rating is achievable
1 BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a sustainability assessment method that is used to masterplan
projects, infrastructure and buildings.
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