UNIgreen is committed to becoming an environmentally friendly, resource efficient and climate neutral Alliance and European University,
To accomplish this ambitious goal, our Green Strategy focuses on initiatives as well as plans the needed transformations to progressively align UNIgreen with the European Green Deal, with the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, and with the highest standards for promoting the green transition of Higher Education Institutions.
Our actions and transformations are based on three main pillars that, when addressed in a holistic and integrated manner, will pave the way for an environmentally friendly, resource efficient and climate neutral European University.
Infrastructure & Resources: This pillar targets actions such as the greening of campuses (waste, water and energy management; increase in green spaces and vegetation areas; increase the consumption of sustainable food with lower environmental impact) and the promotion of green mobility (boosting the adoption of low emission forms of transportation as well as virtual forms of learning, working and mobility). At the same time, this pillar also includes actions to offset carbon emissions through tree planting initiatives.
Administrative Management, Teaching & Learning: This pillar aims to generate awareness of sustainability issues arising from the European Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals, and help to adopt innovative green solutions through thematic clusters. It also emphasises the need to continuously map labour market demand in terms of green skills.
Community Engagement and Awareness: This pillar intends to encourage an environmentally friendly behaviour among the members of the UNIgreen Community (students and staff) and wider larger community across regions in which UNIgreen Alliance Members are based. It will encompass the implementation of collaborative projects and awareness-raising campaigns to promote a culture of sustainability.
Ecological Footprint Compensation Programme
The Ecological Footprint Compensation Programme is an initiative that will help to offset carbon dioxide emissions resulting from student and staff participation in mobility programmes within the scope of UNIgreen.
This compensation can take different forms but will be centred on tree planting projects to mitigate or counterbalance carbon emissions: The number of trees planted by each UNIgreen Alliance Member will be defined according to the level and degree of participation in student and staff mobility projects at an institutional level. Indeed, the number of trees will depend on the number of mobility participants, and the distance band.
As such, we will progressively release information about the actual CO2 emissions generated through mobilities and, at the same time, mitigation measures deployed, including tree planting/reforestation projects.
