We The Curious launches new decarbonisation target

Bristol educational charity and science centre, We The Curious, has launched a new decarbonisation target, committing to ‘a site powered without fossil fuels, using fully renewable electricity, and a 30% reduction in offsite carbon emissions by 2030.' 

This new target replaces a previous target to be ‘carbon net zero by 2030,' which was set in 2019, when We The Curious became the first science centre in the world to declare a climate emergency. They have already achieved carbon net zero across scopes 1 and 2. 

The new goal will see We The Curious reduce carbon emissions by changing their operations in several key ways. By 2030, there will be no burning of fossil fuels in the infrastructure that serves the site, which includes heating, hot water, cooking and generating electricity. All offsite carbon emissions from travel (including both staff and visitors), purchases, water, waste and data will be reduced by 30% compared to 2019 levels. These important steps are in addition to all electricity being supplied by 100% UK clean renewable tariffs, which We The Curious has already achieved.

Image: We The Curious exterior 

Progress made to date 

We The Curious has been working on decarbonisation since 2010, with ‘striving for a sustainable future’ forming one of the five key Manifesto pledges for the educational charity. 

Key areas of work include progressing the decarbonisation of the site, which saw a 31% reduction in energy use from 2010-2019 (We The Curious has since been closed on and off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and fire, reopening to the public in July 2024), as well as working with the city and science centre sector to support others in their decarbonisation work.   

In the last few years, new solar panels were installed on the roof, generating 12% of the building’s energy requirements, and new energy efficient building systems were fitted, with gas being removed completely. ‘Climate conscious’ menus have also been introduced in the café and event catering, selecting ingredients based on carbon emissions, and company vehicles and equipment have been changed from petrol and diesel to electric. 

Carbon emissions analysis

This revised target comes in light of carbon emissions analysis conducted by the Sustainable Futures Team at We The Curious, gathering and analysing data examining the carbon impact across emission scopes 1, 2 and 3.  As a charity, We the Curious cannot formally submit the target for validation from the Science Based Targets Initiative, but it has used this guidance to align with its framework and create a science-based target.

Scope 1 covers direct emissions, such as gas or petrol, scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from purchased electricity, and scope 3 refers to indirect emissions that occur upstream and downstream, such as waste, water, visitor and staff travel, tenants and investments. 

We The Curious has already achieved carbon net zero across scopes 1 and 2, but scope 3 remains the most challenging aspect, now accounting for 99% of the carbon emissions. 

Chris Dunford, Sustainability and Science Director at We The Curious said: “Since our 2019 climate emergency declaration, and despite the setbacks of pandemic and fire, we have been working hard to measure our carbon emissions and understand the actions we can take. Now in 2025, we can celebrate becoming carbon net zero for scopes 1 and 2 but we must also recognise that we cannot reach carbon net zero for all of scope 3 by 2030. We remain committed to climate action, so we have created these new 2030 targets to be ambitious but achievable, include all the areas where we have control or influence, and, importantly, be transparent and accessible to the public.”  

Claire Jacob, Head of Communications and Partnerships, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership added: “We The Curious is showing real climate leadership by being open about the challenges of meeting its original targets, and by setting new goals that are ambitious and achievable. Far from being a setback, this transparency — and the thorough process behind it — demonstrates their deep commitment to climate action. It’s an inspiring example of integrity and progress that others can learn from.”

Looking forward

Future projects to support ongoing decarbonisation of offsite emissions include employee commuting, sustainable visitor travel, ongoing improvements to the environmental sustainability of the shop, supplier engagement, waste and water reduction, and ending business flights to most of western Europe. 

2025 marks a significant year for We The Curious, which sees it celebrate its 25th anniversary. The network of science and discovery centres was funded as part of the National Lottery Millennium Commission, along with other funders and partners, to create a network of science centres across the UK. It also marks 10 years since Bristol’s year as European Green Capital of 2015.