Actions and plans of universities to become greener
Higher education institutions play a key role in the transition towards carbon neutral and sustainable societies. To find out what activities the institutions in Europe have in place and to collect information to inspire and share amongst others, the European University Institute amongst 305 universities in Europe where greening is considered as increasing awareness and taking action towards a green, environmentally-friendly and resource-efficient university.
The survey revealed what measures and activities towards sustainability are taken by universities and their implementation. Overall, the survey found that 64 % of institutions have greening activities in place across the whole institution, and a further 18 % have measures that are driven by individual departments or faculties.
Covid-19 made the universities more aware of environmental issues with 37% of institutions agreeing to this. The universities had to switch to online working, teaching and learning due to pandemics and the survey showed that more than half of the institutions plan to keep and bring more remote working, to replace short-term meeting trips to virtual ones and increase virtual mobility of students and staff.
Reducing flying to meetings and conferences has been a top aim for reducing university emissions in the drive towards sustainability.
The responses also highlighted some challenges that prevent the universities from becoming greener and more sustainable. 53 % of universities lack adequate funding and 46 % reported lacking specific funding. The lack of staff engagement and students engagements was reported as an obstacle by 37% and 24% of respondents respectively.
The universities have discovered various real and potential benefits from their greening activities such as improvement of quality of campus life, attitude and engagement of staff and students, as well as research. The quality of life on campus can be contributed to policies on-site such as recycling and waste management that is in place by 93% of respondents, sustainable construction and renovation practised by 90% and reducing the use of resources such as energies and water by 92%.
The full survey is available on the website of the European University Association (EUA) that represents universities and national rectors’ conferences in 48 European countries by influencing EU policies on higher education, research and innovation.
This report on “greening” can help the universities reflect on their sustainability mission, share and motivate others to set or reach greener activities with the final positive impact in local and larger communities.
