Unite Students commits to 100% renewable energy by 2030 by joining RE100 – 26th August 2021

Unite Students commits to 100% renewable energy by 2030 by joining RE100 – 26th August 2021

Unite Students, the UK’s largest provider of student accommodation, has joined RE100, the global initiative bringing together the world’s most influential companies, leading the transition to 100% renewable electricity.

Led by the Climate Group and in partnership with CDP, RE100’s mission is to accelerate change towards zero carbon.

The move underpins Unite Students’ commitment to operate as sustainably as possible, following its pledge to target net zero assets and operations by 2030.

Unite Students recently developed and launched five overarching sustainability commitments, which capture this aim and its wider strategy:

1. Aim to become net zero carbon by 2030
2. Create resilient, resource efficient assets and operations
3. Enhance the health and wellbeing of our employees and students
4. Provide opportunities for all
5. Lead the student housing sector

In April 2021, Unite Students also signed a new deal guaranteeing that a fifth of its annual electricity would be sourced from renewable wind power for the next five years. The ground-breaking deal was the first of its kind in the UK’s PBSA sector.

The power purchase agreement (PPA) between Unite Students and npower will see 20% of electricity supply come from renewable wind power produced by Ventient Energy, from the Galawhistle windfarm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.  

James Tiernan, head of energy & environment at Unite Students, said:

“Joining RE100 feels like a very natural step for Unite Students, following our PPA with npower and in line with our new sustainability commitments. Ensuring we operate as sustainably as possible is incredibly important to us as a business and from our own research we also know it is also an issue that the students living with us care deeply about.  We look forward to working with the team at RE100 on our journey towards net zero.”

Sam Kimmins, head of RE100 at Climate Group, said:

“We are delighted that Unite Students has joined RE100, the global initiative led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP. By committing to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, Unite Students is taking an important step forward on improving their sustainability. Joining over 300 of the world’s leading companies committed to driving market change. We encourage others to follow suit.”

For further information, please contact

Unite Students Press Office                                                            Tel: +44 117 450 6300

About Unite Students

Unite Students is the UK’s largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, serving the country’s world-leading Higher Education sector. We provide homes to 74,000 students across 173 properties in 25 leading University towns and cities. We currently partner with over 60 Universities across the UK.

Our people are driven by a common purpose: to provide a ‘Home for Success’ for the students who live with us. Unite Students’ accommodation is safe and secure, high quality and affordable. Students live predominantly in ensuite study bedrooms, with rents covering all bills, insurance, 24-hour security and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Founded in 1991 in Bristol, Unite Group is an award-winning Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and a member of the FTSE 250 Index.

For more information, visit:

• Unite Student’s corporate website www.unitegroup.com
• The student site www.unitestudents.com

About RE100

RE100 is a global initiative bringing together the world’s most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable power. Led by international non-profit the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, the group have a total revenue of over US$6.6 trillion and operate in a diverse range of sectors. Together, they send a powerful signal to policymakers and investors to accelerate the transition to a clean economy.