CO2 footprint
Utrecht University aims to be climate neutral by 2030. Every year since 2014, the university has published the greenhouse gas emissions caused by its activities. In this way, we create insight into which aspects have the most environmental impact and which actions can reduce our impact. The total CO2 emissions in 2022 were 30,680 tonnes. This is 7,632 tonnes lower than the previous year. However, the 2021 and 2020 dates are not representative because of the corona pandemic.
For the year 2022, the main categories of CO2 emissions are:
- natural gas consumption (40.3%)
- agriculture (8.3%)
- (residual) heat consumption (4.5%)
- emissions from fuel generation (especially natural gas) (29.1%)
Natural gas consumption is 14.5% lower than in 2021. This reduction is mainly due to lower gas consumption by the Warmte Kracht Centrale (16.4%) - which generates almost all the heat and part of the energy of the Utrecht Science Park - and lower gas consumption by the boilers (8.2%).
In 2022, own renewable sources accounted for 6.1% of the energy used. Together with the purchase of wind power and green gas certificates, renewable accounted for 61.22% of the total energy mix.
The 2022 CO2 footprint does not include commuting and air travel by employees and exchange students. The data for commuting was based on a 2017 survey and is no longer up-to-date. The data for air travel are based on expense data for travel and accommodation and therefore give too inaccurate a picture to include in the carbon footprint. Because these dates are not included, there is a 7% reduction in emissions compared to 2021.
UU can further reduce its footprint by timely implementation of property renovation (and thus reduce natural gas consumption), even more sustainable generation and other measures, including in agriculture and by further reducing air travel.