The scheme, aimed at slowing global warming, is part of a government plan to invest £2.3 billion in new colleges. The colleges will be powered by solar panels, wind power and other methods of renewable energy with the target of reducing the institutions’ carbon footprint to zero by 2016.

The scheme comes on the heels of another government announcement to retrofit several public sector buildings and make them more environmentally friendly.

University College Union president Linda Newman welcomed the move and added: “No doubt many older buildings can also be made more efficient. It is important that centres of education are centres of best practice in tackling climate change.”