Carbon Footprint
In 2018, the University began collaborating with the Department of Industrial Engineering Center for Environmental Quality Studies to prepare annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reports. The report aims to quantify the environmental impact of the Carbon Footprint of the University of Padua while guiding and evaluating the effectiveness of actions taken to reduce and contain its GHGs.
The report follows the design, development, management, reporting, and verification of an institution’s GHG inventory found in the ISO 14064-1:2018 Standard and outlined within the Guidelines for Sustainable Development set by the Italian University Network for Sustainable Development (RUS) and the principles provided for by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The University of Padua Sustainability Report shows the inventory findings.
The University’s carbon footprint
In 2020, the University produced 50,809 metric tons of CO2eq, a reported 28% reduction from 2019 and a 41% reduction from 2018, decreases attributed to many factors. Measures to contain and combat the COVID-19 epidemic introduced students and employees to take advance of flexible work and study arrangements, resulting in a reduction of various travel behaviors and commuters. The greenhouse gas emissions produced by student commuting reduced by 19% compared to amounts calculated in 2019, while emissions attributable to staff reduced by 28%.
Another factor is the impact of energy efficiency measures and the purchase of electricity exclusively from renewable sources. These measures resulted in a reduction in emissions from energy consumption of 43% compared to 2019 and 72% compared to 2018.
