Emission-free university

The following text presents some of Peter Morgenstein's remarks after a public presentation given at the Future Scenarios and Design event:

Slovak University of Technology has decided to prepare itself to reduce its carbon footprint and to look for ways and means by which it could influence the public and promote sustainable living as part of its activities and social responsibility. As part of the agenda covered by the prorector prof. Maximilian Strémy, a group for a sustainable and carbon-free university has been set up, led by Peter Morgenstein from the Faculty of Architecture and Design. Currently, activities are being prepared and strategic goals in the individual areas are being formulated, which will then be refined with external experts and then implemented gradually.

What is the reality of everyday processes?

Small awareness and interest in sustainability and emissions reduction in practice

"the school is not mine" (energy, spaces...)

although we are slowly progressing we are still not paperless

lack of funding for implementation of systemic sustainability principles

Motivation: to create a fundamental momentum for STU's sustainability journey

Tasks: co-shaping strategy, goals, milestones, tools

launching implementation and monitoring progress

laying the operational foundations for this journey with the support of the STU leadership

anchoring STU's position in the international professional and domestic societal context

The Working Group for an Emission-Free University was established, composed of experts from across faculties + external experts and practitioners.

Vision

STU - a low-carbon, innovative, green, energy efficient, sustainable, decent and socially responsible institution, using resources efficiently and subscribing to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals according to the UN)

Strategy

Define a new prism of carbon footprint reduction and apply it to all the main and supporting areas of the University's activities (science and research, education, administration, infrastructure, operations, outreach...)

+ defining a new "we" at STU (identification and motivation)

Objectives

Identify key areas that have the potential to contribute to neutralizing STU's carbon footprint

Objectives by area:

Protect natural resources

Encourage green thinking and behaviour

We renovate and build in harmony with nature

We buy in accordance with ecological criteria

We research and teach in terms of sustainable development

Process

Define a mission, formulate and adopt a strategy

Raise awareness and engage staff and students through tools

Monitor status, define and track milestones (quick wins & long term goals)

Examples of activities in the Research area (science and research)

mapping past, current and upcoming projects to the SDGs

overview of projects contributing to the SDGs - important for strategic orientation and partnerships

Examples of activities under the Teaching area

Mapping of programmes/courses/courses on sustainability

Interdisciplinary list of courses - possibility of targeted selection of courses based on sustainability issues, linking with international partners

Examples of activities within the Outreach area (societal outreach)

Creation of tools to support student and staff activities towards the public

positive image among applicants and students

inter-university partnerships, memoranda

events and grants for bottom-up (middle-out) activities

Examples of activities within the Own footprint area

Identifying quick wins targets in the areas of operations, administration, processes, development...

carbon footprint analysis

workshops with responsible STU departments

STU is part of a number of international networks and projects that also contribute to the following objectives

EULiST

creating a sustainable green campus and sharing common resources and information within the consortium

EULiST - European Universities Linking Society and Technology aims to make Europe tangible for all member universities and students

Society and technology are interlinked. Society creates the need for technological change and technological progress influences the development of society. EULiST recognises the need to train individuals who understand the technical problems of the future and the societal framework and dimensions for which technological solutions are designed. EULiST promotes the integration and cross-pollination of science, technology, mathematics and social sciences.

accord

CO2 reduction programme - modernisation and renovation of existing spatial infrastructure (6 buildings in total) for higher education, research and innovation

The journey towards a zero-emission university is a process and we believe that the upcoming activities will lead to the desired results!