Towards Net Zero Carbon

The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report addresses the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change, bringing together the latest advances in climate science. According to the report global surface temperature will continue to increase until at least the mid-century under all emissions scenarios considered. Global warming of 1.5°C and 2°C will be exceeded during the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades.

British Antarctic Survey works to understand, tackle and mitigate the effects of climate change, and embed evidence in decision making and climate policy. Our scientific research programmes and Net Zero Carbon Strategy underpin the UK’s commitment to:

• achieving a net zero carbon economy by 2050
• respond to the challenges of climate change
• live more sustainably

BAS Net Zero Carbon Strategy 2020 – 2050​

Our strategy is driven by our scientific research findings and is aligned to the UKRI-NERC Environmental Sustainability Strategy. We focus on five areas of activity that will help us meet our strategic goals:

• Net zero carbon science for the future
• Infrastructure
• Transport & logistics
• Supply chain
• Community

Three working groups co-ordinate key areas and report progress to the BAS Executive Team:

• Net zero carbon science for the future​​
• Decarbonisation management​
• Communication and awareness​

The challenge

We carry out vital scientific research on the impact of climate change in Antarctica and beyond. By replacing old inefficient infrastructure with sustainable technologies, our ambition is to reduce carbon emissions in our Antarctic stations and Cambridge office to net zero by 2050.

Given the challenges in reducing emissions from ships and aircraft, we need to work smarter. We work with these sectors to help all of us move towards net zero as quickly as possible, and have a history of innovation that we can draw on to succeed.

Our Net zero carbon targets

• Maximise our renewable energy capacity in the UK and Antarctica.
• Degasify our heating and hot water systems in the UK by 2030.
• Reduce carbon emissions from Antarctic research stations and BAS Cambridge office to net zero carbon by 2030
• Reach net zero carbon emissions across our entire operations by 2050.

Projects

Cambridge HQ Decarbonisation

We are working on a raft of measures to reduce our carbon emissions at our Cambridge Headquarters, including installation of solar panels on the car park and roofs of buildings, and adding insulation to our Logistics building.

Renewable Energy at Rothera Research Station

Over the past 15 years we have been introducing renewable energy to buildings across the station in the form of solar thermal and solar photovoltaics (PV).

Logist AI for environmentally aware decision support

AMOP is developing Artificial Intelligence methods that aim to optimise the efficiency of Antarctic field operations, while maximising science delivery

King Edward Point Decarbonisation

King Edward Point Research Station already meets 80% of its energy demands in electricity and heating by an existing hydropower system. Read more about our plans to decarbonise King Edward Point.

Bird Island Decarbonisation

In order to decarbonise our remote Bird Island Research Station on the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia we will be installing a solar photovoltaic and energy storage system.

Halley Automation

This innovative, multi-year, project created a suite of autonomous scientific instrumentation around Halley Research Station, enabling data collection even when the station may be unoccupied.

1. Roadmap to net zero

   Here at British Antarctic Survey, we recently opened our doors to over 40 companies in science, technology, and green innovation to help us make the next steps in reaching net […]

   Read more of: Roadmap to net zero

   

2. Towards Net Zero: demystifying the terminology

   For the inaugural Net Zero Awareness Week (17-23 July), Natalia Ford — Sustainability Manager at British Antarctic Survey, raises some of the challenges of talking about reducing carbon emissions and […]

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1. Renewables milestone reached in Antarctica

   The British Antarctic Survey has installed and activated two solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems in Antarctica as part of our commitment to reach net zero by 2040.  

   Read more of: Renewables milestone reached in Antarctica

   

2. British Antarctic Survey publishes carbon emissions for 2023/2024

   For the first time, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are publishing their carbon footprint data on their website to increase transparency and help other organisations reduce their carbon emissions.

   Read more of: British Antarctic Survey publishes carbon emissions for 2023/2024

   

3. BAS win global award for facilities management

   British Antarctic Survey has won the Gold Award at the Global FM Awards of Excellence 2024 for ‘The British Antarctic Survey Facilities and Estates team’.

   Read more of: BAS win global award for facilities management

   

4. New carbon literacy milestone achieved on journey to net zero

   Over 120 scientists and operational professionals working for British Antarctic Survey have received a new qualification to help the polar research institute reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

   Read more of: New carbon literacy milestone achieved on journey to net zero

   

5. Trial of lower carbon alternative fuel begins on RRS Sir David Attenborough

   British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for the first time on the RRS Sir David Attenborough, as an alternative to conventional diesel fuel, as part of […]

   Read more of: Trial of lower carbon alternative fuel begins on RRS Sir David Attenborough

   

6. Net zero ambitions achieve new standard through independent assessment

   British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is one of the first public sector organisations to be recognised by the Carbon Trust for its […]

   Read more of: Net zero ambitions achieve new standard through independent assessment

   

7. Labs in Antarctica and Cambridge Receive Sustainability Award

   Scientific labs at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in their Cambridge headquarters and at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica have achieved a sustainability award from the Laboratory Sustainability Efficiency Assessment (LEAF) […]

   Read more of: Labs in Antarctica and Cambridge Receive Sustainability Award

   

8. Winners announced in British Antarctic Survey and University of Cambridge net zero hackathon to decarbonise UK Antarctic Research Stations

   A hackathon involving some highly innovative minds from across business and academia has resulted in the announcement of three winning entries to help decarbonise research stations for the British Antarctic […]

   Read more of: Winners announced in British Antarctic Survey and University of Cambridge net zero hackathon to decarbonise UK Antarctic Research Stations

   

9. Frozen in time: climate change challenge to be showcased at upcoming sustainability conference

   A dramatic art installation symbolising our warming climate will be launched at the Cambridge Cleantech annual conference on 20 October as the city’s innovators and scientists gather together to brainstorm […]

   Read more of: Frozen in time: climate change challenge to be showcased at upcoming sustainability conference

   

10. Polar Zero: visual arts take centre stage at COP26

    Immersive science-art ice core research exhibition to be displayed at Glasgow Science Centre during COP26

    Read more of: Polar Zero: visual arts take centre stage at COP26

    

11. Rothera Research Station’s new wharf achieves first CEEQUAL award in Antarctica

    Award reflects project’s excellent environmental approach to biodiversity and sustainability. A new 74 metre wharf at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station has achieved the first CEEQUAL award in […]

    Read more of: Rothera Research Station’s new wharf achieves first CEEQUAL award in Antarctica

    

12. BAM Nuttall and Sweco in new partnership to upgrade Antarctic Research Stations

    Construction expert BAM Nuttall, with design consultants Sweco, have won a tender for a new 10-year partnership to take forward an ambitious programme to modernise the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) […]

    Read more of: BAM Nuttall and Sweco in new partnership to upgrade Antarctic Research Stations

    

1. BAS Cambridge

   Science, business and operational planning

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2. RRS Sir David Attenborough

   Our state-of-the-art polar science ship provides scientists access to remote and challenging marine environments across the Antarctic and Arctic.

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3. Rothera Research Station

   The largest British Antarctic facility is a centre for biological research and a hub for supporting deep-field science.

   Read more of: Rothera Research Station

   

4. Halley VI Research Station

   Halley Research Station is globally significant for observing the Earth, its atmosphere, and space weather.

   Read more of: Halley VI Research Station

   

5. King Edward Point Research Station

   King Edward Point Research Station on South Georgia is a centre for marine and fisheries research.

   Read more of: King Edward Point Research Station

   

6. Bird Island Research Station

   The Bird Island Research Station focuses on the long-term study of seabirds and seals in one of the world’s richest wildlife sites.

   Read more of: Bird Island Research Station