The University of Copenhagen has signaled its intention to become one of the most sustainable universities in the world.
The university's plan – The Green Campus 2020: A Strategy for Resource Efficiency and Sustainability – aims to meet ambitious environmental goals, including significant energy and CO2 reductions.
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Financial savings for world-class research
“Our main task is to carry out world-class research and teaching, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that we do so with ever-decreasing environmental impact," explained rector Ralf Hemmingsen in a statement.
"Fortunately, energy and resource efficiency often results in financial savings, thereby freeing up resources for the university’s core activities,” noted Hemmingsen.
The university hopes the reduced energy consumption will result in estimated annual savings of nearly 35 million kroner that could be spent on research and education.
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Reducing energy consumption and waste
“The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 65 percent and energy consumption by 50 percent in the period leading up to 2020," said Hemmingsen.
"We will also aim to reduce waste by 20 percent and ensure that half the waste is recycled.”
Promoting daily energy-efficient habits
Because the university’s staff and students will play a key role in achieving the new sustainability targets, specific efforts to motivate them to practice sustainable behaviour on a daily basis will be included.
Some 100 green ambassadors among the staff are already promoting energy-efficient habits in laboratories and offices.
Students will get special offers to take active part in the program and promote energy-efficient habits or recycling.
