Balancing Emissions Coordinator

This role will be based on the university campus with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner.   We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Do you have experience working with organisations on the design and delivery of climate strategies? Do you have expertise relating to climate change mitigation and carbon sequestration? Do you have strong analytical, organisational and communication skills and experience in delivering extensive stakeholder engagement?  

In 2019 the University agreed seven principles to address the climate crisis, including setting an ambitious 2030 target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Plan represents the single biggest investment made by the University: £174 million over the next decade, more than £150 million of which will be put towards achieving our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The Climate Plan envisages over an 80% reduction in direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and acknowledges a need to explore mechanisms to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in order to balance any emissions that remain at 2030. We are looking for a Balancing Emissions Coordinator to play a central role in developing a Balancing Emissions Strategy as part of the University of Leeds Climate Plan.  

The Climate Plan is a collaborative effort across the University community, involving our academic staff, professional services and students. This is an exciting opportunity to work with both students and staff to co-create an approach to balancing emissions that meets the needs of our University community. 

You will develop a deep understanding of the balancing emissions landscape and the complex issues around feasibility of technological solutions, carbon finance, permanence of stored carbon and ethical issues around use of land. You will work with academic and research staff from across the University of Leeds to understand how our existing and potential research could inform the University’s approach to balancing emissions. You will have expertise relating to climate change in general and specifically to carbon sequestration via nature-based, technological or geological approaches.

You will design and deliver a series of engagement opportunities to communicate with, and receive input from, the student and staff community to inform the approach taken by the University. 

The University of Leeds is actively involved in nature-based solutions projects that will sequester carbon through woodland creation and peatland restoration. In the early stages of this role you will work closely with those projects to develop their ability to generate carbon credits whilst delivering wider benefits such as biodiversity improvement and flood risk reduction.

You will be based in the School of Earth and Environment but work closely with colleagues in the Sustainability Service and Facilities Directorate.  

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Catherine Scott, NERC Independent Research Fellow & University Academic Fellow

Email: c.e.scott@leeds.ac.uk

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