Paris-proof campuses by 2040
Objective
We aim to meet the Paris Agreement targets by 2040. This means that our total energy use, i.e. gas and electricity consumption, including from the use of all equipment, must be reduced to less than 70 kWh per m2 per year. This is no small task, as our consumption was still 182 kWh per m2 in 2019. In other words, we will need to cut our energy consumption by 65%.
Current situation
Energy consumption per m2 fell in 2020 and 2021, probably in part due to the fact that the university was partially closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, that fall continued in 2022, when the university was fully up and running again. The 2022 decrease can mainly be attributed to reduced gas consumption, including through greater efficiency and setting thermostats at 19 degrees instead of the 21 degrees at which they were usually set in the past.
Status of envisaged measures
Read more about the measures in the White Paper on Sustainability (PDF, 19 pages).
- We are implementing the plans recorded in the UvA’s Energy Transition Road Map
- Where opportunities arise, measures are being implemented to accelerate energy-efficient efforts
- We are strengthening monitoring, including at project level and in maintenance contracts
- We are implementing all approved measures before the end of 2021
- Current processes are being improved for the purposes of the sustainability objectives.
- Sustainability has been integrated into UvA’s long-term maintenance plan and into the assessment plan for renovation and new-build projects.