Climate Responsibility

Five circles with the symbols of the five fields of action: College building, train, doctor's hat, microscope and speech bubble, people with arrows — Image: Sustainability Office, SUAN Conceptual Design

In order to help shape the climate future and fulfill its climate responsibility as an institution, the University of Basel has set itself the goal of reducing its emissions by 35% until 2030. The Climate Strategy 2024 - 2030 defines key measures for five priority fields of action (Campus & Management, Mobility, Research & Dialog, Teaching, Engagement & Culture), which are to be implemented by 2030.

In addition to its contributions to research and teaching, the University of Basel has been working continuously for several years to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in order to contribute to achieving the 1.5° target set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. Important climate protection measures have already been implemented in recent years. The following picture gallery presents some of the projects that have been completed or are currently being implemented.

Since 2019, the AG Nachhaltigkeit is the first point of contact for all members of the university community who are interested in implementing sustainability projects at the University of Basel. Students of the AG Nachhaltigkeit have greened the roof of the Department of Biomedicine on Mattenstrasse as part of the roof greening project. (Photo: © Sustainability Office, University of Basel) link.zoom
In summer 2021, the university installed its first photovoltaic panels system on the roof of the Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences. Further photovoltaic systems are planned. (Photo: © Universität Basel)link.zoom
The “less for more” project, founded in 2021, has the goal of reducing emissions from air travel by 30% compared to the 2017–2019 average. (Photo: © Christian Flierl, Universität Basel)link.zoom
A high value is placed on sustainability in the university catering services. Altogether, the proportion of vegan and vegetarian options is over 50% of the dishes offered in all food services locations. In the facilities operated by the SV Group, the percentage of goods shipped by air dropped to 0.01%. The photo shows the "Kaffi" cafeteria at the Biozentrum. (Photo: © Annette Roulier, University of Basel)link.zoom
High-quality research on sustainability is being carried out in a variety of disciplines at the University of Basel. The "Sustainable Future" research network, founded in 2021, brings together over 100 researchers from five faculties with the aim of strengthening interdisciplinary sustainability research at the University of Basel. In January 2023, the University of Basel received funding connected to the SWEET energy research program.link.zoom
The interdisciplinary online course "Sustainability tomorrow." imparts knowledge from the social sciences, economics, ecology and psychology on the topic of sustainability. It was developed by professors from the Master's in Sustainable Development program. (Photo: University of Basel, New Media Center)link.zoom

A detailed carbon footprint of the University of Basel was calculated for the year 2019. In that year, total emissions amounted to 9,665 tCO₂-eq.

Climate Strategy

With this in mind, in the summer of 2022, the President's Board established the "Climate Steering Group". This Group consisted of representatives from various faculties and university groups and was tasked with developing recommendations for a greenhouse gas emissions reduction path, as well as the necessary accompanying key measures for the years 2024 - 2030.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Andrea Schenker-Wicki, President of the University of Basel

Based on the recommendations of the steering group, the University of Basel has set itself the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 35% across all areas already quantified by 2030, starting from the base year 2019. Offsetting unavoidable emissions from 2030 onwards via negative emissions technologies or compensation projects will also be carefully examined. New goals and measures will be developed in good time for the period after 2030 in order to realise a further reduction towards net zero.

Reduction path of the University of Basel. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 35% on average across all areas already quantified, starting from the base year 2019. Offsetting unavoidable emissions from 2030 via negative technologies or compensation projects will also be carefully examined.link.zoom

With the aim of incorporating sustainable development into all areas of the university and taking into account societal impact, five priority fields of action were defined for the university. Ambitious but realistic goals and key measures, which are to be achieved by 2030, were developed for these fields of action, .

The fields of action Campus & Management and Mobility result from their relevance for the climate footprint and the university’s role model function. A resilient campus that is adapted to climate change also plays an important role in creating a pleasant and attractive study and work environment.

Through Teaching, the university can empower its students to become change agents for a climate-friendly society by imparting knowledge and transformative design skills.

Strong inter- and transdisciplinary Research on climate and sustainability-related topics provides an important basis for decision-making in politics and business, and it can foster the transformation to a net-zero society. The dissemination of research results outside the academy, and the development of a topic-specific dialog and associated public relations work, improve the University's positioning as an important climate and sustainability player in Switzerland and the Upper Rhine region. The Dialog also increases the University’s attractiveness for new research contracts.

The Engagement of university members and a living Culture of sustainability that is visible on campus are important catalysts for the planned measures. With good communication and incentives, a stronger anchoring in the organizational units can be achieved, which is essential for the successful implementation of the climate strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the University of Basel become climate neutral?
In the literature, the terms climate neutrality and net zero are not always used with the same meaning. In the University’s Climate Strategy, however, the two terms are used interchangeably based on the definitions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Federal Office for the Environment. Climate neutral or net zero for organizations means that no more greenhouse gases are emitted than can be absorbed by natural and technical reservoirs.

As part of the university's climate strategy, reducing its own emissions is an absolute priority. However, according to the IPCC, offsetting residual emissions is also necessary in order to achieve the targets defined in the Paris Agreement. It is not possible for the university to achieve a complete reduction in emissions by the target year of 2030. Offsetting the remaining emissions from 2030 onwards is currently being considered. There are various options for offsetting:

Offsetting - or compensation - means that emissions are offset by investing in global projects that reduce future greenhouse gases (e.g. energy efficiency, renewable energies).

Negative emissions technologies (NET), on the other hand, aim to permanently remove existing CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it. There are both technical and biological approaches for this.

Promising solutions will be carefully examined by 2030 and a proposal for the President’s Board will be drawn up by the Sustainability Committee. The expertise of Basel researchers can be drawn upon in the process.

In the literature, the terms climate neutrality and net zero are not always used with the same meaning. In the University’s Climate Strategy, however, the two terms are used interchangeably based on the definitions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Federal Office for the Environment. Climate neutral or net zero for organizations means that no more greenhouse gases are emitted than can be absorbed by natural and technical reservoirs.

As part of the university's climate strategy, reducing its own emissions is an absolute priority. However, according to the IPCC, offsetting residual emissions is also necessary in order to achieve the targets defined in the Paris Agreement. It is not possible for the university to achieve a complete reduction in emissions by the target year of 2030. Offsetting the remaining emissions from 2030 onwards is currently being considered. There are various options for offsetting:

Offsetting - or compensation - means that emissions are offset by investing in global projects that reduce future greenhouse gases (e.g. energy efficiency, renewable energies).

Negative emissions technologies (NET), on the other hand, aim to permanently remove existing CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it. There are both technical and biological approaches for this.

Promising solutions will be carefully examined by 2030 and a proposal for the President’s Board will be drawn up by the Sustainability Committee. The expertise of Basel researchers can be drawn upon in the process.
How were the goals and measures developed?

In the spring semester of 2022, the President’s Board established the "Climate Steering Group", which consisted of representatives from various faculties and university groups and was tasked with developing recommendations for the target year of a climate-neutral university and the measures required to achieve this. The steering group worked intensively on these issues in collaboration with the Sustainability Office from May 2022 to March 2023. It then compiled the results of its work in the "Climate Responsibility" report, which was approved by the President's Board in May 2023 and forms the basis of the university's climate strategy. Targets and measures were developed for the five fields of action Campus & Management, Mobility, Teaching, Research & Dialog and Engagement & Culture. The climate strategy was adopted by the President's Board in February 2024 and approved by the Senate in March 2024.

In the spring semester of 2022, the President’s Board established the "Climate Steering Group", which consisted of representatives from various faculties and university groups and was tasked with developing recommendations for the target year of a climate-neutral university and the measures required to achieve this. The steering group worked intensively on these issues in collaboration with the Sustainability Office from May 2022 to March 2023. It then compiled the results of its work in the "Climate Responsibility" report, which was approved by the President's Board in May 2023 and forms the basis of the university's climate strategy. Targets and measures were developed for the five fields of action Campus & Management, Mobility, Teaching, Research & Dialog and Engagement & Culture. The climate strategy was adopted by the President's Board in February 2024 and approved by the Senate in March 2024.
What are the differences between the cantonal climate targets of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft and the climate targets of the University of Basel?

The main difference lies in the different emission scopes included: While larger entities such as cantons often (still) limit their climate accounting to so-called Scopes 1 and 2, it has become standard practice for companies and organizations to also address Scope 3 emissions in particular. The reduction targets in the Canton of Basel-Stadt (net zero by 2037) and Basel-Landschaft (net zero by 2050) only relate to direct, so-called Scope 1 emissions. But both cantons also define targets and measures for Scopes 2-3. The reduction targets of the University of Basel explicitly refer to direct and indirect emissions (Scopes 1-3). Areas that have not yet been quantified (e.g. procurement) are to be gradually included.

The main difference lies in the different emission scopes included: While larger entities such as cantons often (still) limit their climate accounting to so-called Scopes 1 and 2, it has become standard practice for companies and organizations to also address Scope 3 emissions in particular. The reduction targets in the Canton of Basel-Stadt (net zero by 2037) and Basel-Landschaft (net zero by 2050) only relate to direct, so-called Scope 1 emissions. But both cantons also define targets and measures for Scopes 2-3. The reduction targets of the University of Basel explicitly refer to direct and indirect emissions (Scopes 1-3). Areas that have not yet been quantified (e.g. procurement) are to be gradually included.
How do the reduction targets compare to other universities?

It is challenging to compare the reduction targets between other universities. One of the reasons for this is that the system boundaries and base years are defined differently. Depending on the ownership structure of the infrastructure, for example, the area of "Gray Energy Buildings" is either within or outside the system boundaries. The reduction targets of the University of Basel refer to the base year 2019, whereas other universities sometimes refer to significantly earlier base years with higher initial emissions, which means that the same reduction targets can be achieved earlier.

The University's system boundaries follow the principles of the globally established Green House Gas Protocol and, in the area of district heating, the Swiss KBOB standard, and are based on the requirements of the Science Based Target Initiative, which sets standards for science-based reduction paths for companies. The quantitative reduction targets are the result of extensive potential assessments based on specific, ambitious but realistic key measures.

It is challenging to compare the reduction targets between other universities. One of the reasons for this is that the system boundaries and base years are defined differently. Depending on the ownership structure of the infrastructure, for example, the area of "Gray Energy Buildings" is either within or outside the system boundaries. The reduction targets of the University of Basel refer to the base year 2019, whereas other universities sometimes refer to significantly earlier base years with higher initial emissions, which means that the same reduction targets can be achieved earlier.

The University's system boundaries follow the principles of the globally established Green House Gas Protocol and, in the area of district heating, the Swiss KBOB standard, and are based on the requirements of the Science Based Target Initiative, which sets standards for science-based reduction paths for companies. The quantitative reduction targets are the result of extensive potential assessments based on specific, ambitious but realistic key measures.
What does the 2019 greenhouse gas balance include?

The University's system boundaries follow the principles of the globally established Green House Gas Protocol and, in the area of district heating, the Swiss KBOB standard, and are based on the requirements of the Science Based Target Initiative, which sets standards for science-based reduction paths for companies.

Business travel includes all flights, car, train and bus travel as well as accommodation and catering paid for by the university. The Energy data (heating, cooling, electricity) relates to all buildings used by the university. District heating is accounted for in accordance with the Swiss KBOB standard (Koordinationskonferenz der Bau- und Liegenschaftsorgane der öffentlichen Bauherren), whereby the emissions generated in a waste incineration plant are attributed to waste treatment and not to electricity and heat production. Catering includes the quantities of food and products purchased by the canteens and cafeterias, excluding vending machines. The topic of Waste includes the disposal of hazardous waste and other non-recyclable materials. According to the SIA standard, the Gray Energy Buildings section accounts for emissions from new buildings that occur over the life cycle of the building materials, until disposal at the end of use, calculated over 60 years. Only new buildings and renovations of buildings owned by the University are included. The carbon footprint for 2019 does not yet include the new buildings Biozentrum and DSBG, as the balance sheet is only drawn up from the reference year onwards. There will therefore be an increase in emissions in this area by 2030. The topic Other includes emissions from university vehicles and laboratory gases.

The University's system boundaries follow the principles of the globally established Green House Gas Protocol and, in the area of district heating, the Swiss KBOB standard, and are based on the requirements of the Science Based Target Initiative, which sets standards for science-based reduction paths for companies.

Business travel includes all flights, car, train and bus travel as well as accommodation and catering paid for by the university. The Energy data (heating, cooling, electricity) relates to all buildings used by the university. District heating is accounted for in accordance with the Swiss KBOB standard (Koordinationskonferenz der Bau- und Liegenschaftsorgane der öffentlichen Bauherren), whereby the emissions generated in a waste incineration plant are attributed to waste treatment and not to electricity and heat production. Catering includes the quantities of food and products purchased by the canteens and cafeterias, excluding vending machines. The topic of Waste includes the disposal of hazardous waste and other non-recyclable materials. According to the SIA standard, the Gray Energy Buildings section accounts for emissions from new buildings that occur over the life cycle of the building materials, until disposal at the end of use, calculated over 60 years. Only new buildings and renovations of buildings owned by the University are included. The carbon footprint for 2019 does not yet include the new buildings Biozentrum and DSBG, as the balance sheet is only drawn up from the reference year onwards. There will therefore be an increase in emissions in this area by 2030. The topic Other includes emissions from university vehicles and laboratory gases.
Why is there still no quantitative reduction target for procurement?

The area of procurement is relevant for the greenhouse gas balance, but has not yet been quantified. In the area of procurement, the aim is to set up greenhouse gas monitoring in order to develop measures for more climate-friendly, sustainable purchasing.

The area of procurement is relevant for the greenhouse gas balance, but has not yet been quantified. In the area of procurement, the aim is to set up greenhouse gas monitoring in order to develop measures for more climate-friendly, sustainable purchasing.
Why is commuting not included in the strategy?

It has not yet been possible to quantify the emissions from employee and students commuting, owing to insufficient data. Given that there is very limited car park infrastructure in the 80 university buildings, it is assumed that a very high proportion of commuters use public and/or non-motorized means of transport. As the university's options for action have been categorized as rather limited, no goals and measures relating to commuter mobility have been included in the climate strategy.

It has not yet been possible to quantify the emissions from employee and students commuting, owing to insufficient data. Given that there is very limited car park infrastructure in the 80 university buildings, it is assumed that a very high proportion of commuters use public and/or non-motorized means of transport. As the university's options for action have been categorized as rather limited, no goals and measures relating to commuter mobility have been included in the climate strategy.
What do scopes 1 - 3 mean?

The carbon footprint was prepared in accordance with the international standard of the "Green House Gas Protocol" (GHG). The GHG Protocol divides greenhouse gas emissions into three emission categories:

Scope 1 emissions originate from direct emission sources within the system boundaries under consideration, such as the company's own heat generation and vehicle fleets. At the University of Basel, these only include emissions from laboratory gases, a few vehicles and heat generation from fossil fuels in some buildings.

Scope 2 emissions arise from the external generation of electricity and heat that is purchased. At the University of Basel, this includes the purchase of electricity from several sources and district heating from IWB.

Scope 3 emissions are all other emissions caused indirectly by organizational activities. Within Scope 3, a distinction is made between 15 sub-categories. For the university, these include business travel, catering operations, waste disposal, indirect emissions from energy provision and emissions generated during the construction of buildings (gray energy buildings). Also relevant, but not yet quantified, are the area of procurement and commuting.

The carbon footprint was prepared in accordance with the international standard of the "Green House Gas Protocol" (GHG). The GHG Protocol divides greenhouse gas emissions into three emission categories:

Scope 1 emissions originate from direct emission sources within the system boundaries under consideration, such as the company's own heat generation and vehicle fleets. At the University of Basel, these only include emissions from laboratory gases, a few vehicles and heat generation from fossil fuels in some buildings.

Scope 2 emissions arise from the external generation of electricity and heat that is purchased. At the University of Basel, this includes the purchase of electricity from several sources and district heating from IWB.

Scope 3 emissions are all other emissions caused indirectly by organizational activities. Within Scope 3, a distinction is made between 15 sub-categories. For the university, these include business travel, catering operations, waste disposal, indirect emissions from energy provision and emissions generated during the construction of buildings (gray energy buildings). Also relevant, but not yet quantified, are the area of procurement and commuting.
How is progress reported?

As usual, the most important key figures on greenhouse gas emissions are reported annually at the university's annual report. Every two years, the key figures and the implementation status of the measures are presented to the President's Board as part of the established sustainability reporting. A progress report will be prepared at the end of 2030.

As usual, the most important key figures on greenhouse gas emissions are reported annually at the university's annual report. Every two years, the key figures and the implementation status of the measures are presented to the President's Board as part of the established sustainability reporting. A progress report will be prepared at the end of 2030.
Will new reduction targets be defined for the period from 2030?

New reduction targets will be defined in the coming years for the period from 2030 onwards. Recommendations for further reduction paths are to be drawn up by the Sustainability Committee. However, a reduction to zero emissions is not possible in the long term. Offsetting the unavoidable emissions from 2030 is therefore being considered. Nevertheless, reducing our own emissions as much as possible is an absolute priority, even after 2030.

New reduction targets will be defined in the coming years for the period from 2030 onwards. Recommendations for further reduction paths are to be drawn up by the Sustainability Committee. However, a reduction to zero emissions is not possible in the long term. Offsetting the unavoidable emissions from 2030 is therefore being considered. Nevertheless, reducing our own emissions as much as possible is an absolute priority, even after 2030.

Climate Responsibility

Climate Strategy

The University of Basel's climate strategy reaffirms our commitment to making an active contribution to climate protection and sustainability. Together, we are committed to significantly reducing the University's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the University of Basel become climate neutral?

How were the goals and measures developed?

What are the differences between the cantonal climate targets of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft and the climate targets of the University of Basel?

How do the reduction targets compare to other universities?

What does the 2019 greenhouse gas balance include?

Why is there still no quantitative reduction target for procurement?

Why is commuting not included in the strategy?

What do scopes 1 - 3 mean?

How is progress reported?

Will new reduction targets be defined for the period from 2030?

Further information

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