Sustainability
The University of Copenhagen's total CO2e emissions rose by 11 percent per full time equivalent (staff and students) in 2018-2024
The emission per staff and student FTE rose by 20 percent since 2023. The increase from 2023 is mainly due to the commissioning of the Niels Bohr Building in 2024. That aside, the 2024 climate footprint would be the same as in 2023.
UCPH has set ambitious sustainability goals. The University aims to reduce its total carbon footprint (scope 1-3) per full-time equivalent (employees and students) by 50 percent in 2030 compared to 2018.
UCPH prepares annual climate accounts to monitor developments and prioritise initiatives.
UCPH follows the international standard Greenhouse Gas protocol. The 2030 climate goal and the annual climate accounts include all CO2e emissions associated with the products and services the University purchases and consumes. They range from furniture and laboratory equipment to construction and travel, which account for about 90 percent of the total carbon footprint.
Initiatives
UCPH has a wide range of sustainability initiatives and works to integrate climate and sustainability considerations in all significant areas.
Sharing of facilities across the University is a key principle in several initiatives. This way, resources are used more efficiently, contributing to lower CO2 emissions, reduced resource consumption and less pressure on biodiversity.
Key initiatives:
- Sustainability in maintenance and new construction
- Sustainability in campus planning
- Sustainable procurement
- Sustainable mobility (e.g. less air travel)
- Sustainable laboratories
- Energy efficiency
- Waste sorting, recycling and waste minimisation
- Canteens and sustainable food
- Increased biodiversity in campus areas.
