Follow-up Environmental Plan
The work with the Environmental Plan is reviewed annually with the aim of ensuring continuous improvement. At the beginning of each calendar year, the Environmental Office evaluates progress towards the goals set in the Environmental Plan during the previous year.
The Environmental Plan 2022–2024 focused on three areas:
- Business travel
- Buildings
- Purchasing and reuse
Business travel
The goal was to reduce the climate impact of the University’s business travel by 30% per annual full-time equivalent employee by 2024, relative to emissions in 2019.
Progress is measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per annual full-time equivalent employee. The 2024 follow-up showed that the University had reduced emissions from business travel by 18% by the end of the year, compared with 2019 levels.
In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation (2009:907) on Environmental Management in Government Agencies, emissions from business travel are reported in different categories, as illustrated in the accompanying charts. The follow-up indicates that long-distance flights over 500 km account for the largest share of carbon dioxide emissions.
Buildings
The goal for buildings was that the University should work systematically to reduce the environmental and climate impact of its buildings and facilities. Energy consumption was to be reduced by 10% compared with 2019 levels.
Progress is measured through two key indicators: energy consumption per square metre (kWh/m²) and the occupancy rate of bookable rooms (%). The 2024 follow-up showed that the University’s energy consumption had decreased by 12% compared with the 2019 baseline. The occupancy rate for lecture halls, classrooms, and group rooms during weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. was approximately 33% in 2024.
Purchasing and Reuse
The goal was for the University to work systematically to reduce the environmental and climate impact of its purchases of goods and services. Specific, measurable targets for reduced emissions should be set for product groups where deemed appropriate.
To monitor progress in this area, the proportion of procurements and purchases that take environmental and climate considerations into account is assessed annually. At the end of 2024, it was confirmed that environmental requirements had been prioritised in procurements considered to have a particularly significant environmental or climate impact. In total, environmental requirements were included in 74% of all procurements and call-offs.
Since procurement agreements are not renewed every year, but typically run for up to four years, it is not feasible to compare environmental requirements on an annual basis in the same way as in other areas. In some years, several product groups where environmental requirements are relevant may be subject to procurement, while in other years only a few agreements may be affected. As a result, the percentage-based follow-up may sometimes give a misleading impression.
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