Welsh Government donates more than £20 million for universities to tackle climate crisis

The Welsh Government has donated more than £20 million for universities to tackle the ongoing climate crisis.

The money was invested into Welsh universities, such as Cardiff and Swansea, to fund their sustainability projects and reduce carbon emissions.

This follows the decision by all eight Welsh universities to cut ties with the fossil fuel industry at the end of 2024. 

The Welsh Government continues to reduce the country’s carbon emissions through loan funding project, such as this one.

It has been proposed that the universities renovate older buildings and instal energy-efficient technology, such as improved lighting and heat pumps.

The Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, expressed significant pride in the collaboration between the Government and education institutions to tackle the climate crisis.

He conveyed gratitude to Cardiff University by urging “others to follow in the footsteps” being taken by organisations as such.

Vikki Howells, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, echoed Huw’s response, explaining that the university is demonstrating “what can be achieved with this funding”.

She noted that it will help to “reduce carbon emissions” as well as “save money by reducing energy consumption”.

This important step by universities contributes to the overall Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, where, according to Dr Paula Sanderson, Cardiff University’s Chief Operating Officer, the Government has invested in prior projects such as “energy conservation measures through LED lighting, solar PV, fume cupboard upgrades and pipework insulation”.

Cardiff University was also able to demonstrate its shift towards a more electric future with it revealing new, 100 per cent electric vehicles to ministers.

The university continues to do the work to be a part of the climate solution with the help of the Welsh Government’s funding, following the university’s declared climate emergency in 2019.