Sustainable development

Uppsala University aspires to a leading role in the transition to a more sustainable society. The education and research we conduct translate into new knowledge, better technology, improvements in the organisation of society and changed patterns of behaviour. The University will also contribute to sustainable development in its own activities. This requires us to set an example in the management of finite resources and to actively address the climate impact of our own activities. (From the foreword of Uppsala University’s Mission and Core Values.)

Climate inventory at Uppsala University

Over the course of a year, Uppsala University’s activities are estimated to produce emissions equivalent to 50,500 tonnes of CO2, corresponding to around 8 tonnes of CO2 per full-time employee. The largest sources of emissions are business travel, buildings and purchases of goods.

The climate inventory used the University’s costs that were entered into the accounts as a basis, breaking them down into product and service groups which were then linked to pre-calculated emissions. The analysis was then supplemented by three in-depth life-cycle analyses for business travel, computers and screens and energy use. Emissions are calculated more precisely in the life-cycle analyses as they are based on consumption.

As the climate inventory is based on costs entered into the accounts, emissions that do not lead to a cost item in the University’s accounted costs are not included.

Climate-smart food grown on campus here