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Mittweida University of Applied Sciences’ integrated climate protection strategy set out five development scenarios for becoming a climate-friendly university. Around three years after implementation of the integrated climate protection strategy began, an assessment was carried out to determine the impact of the measures taken to date on the goal of carbon neutrality.
Greenhouse gas emissions were therefore reassessed. This was based on the baseline figure from the base year 2019 and the current actual status for the year 2024. The accounting was carried out in a simplified form, aimed at estimating changes in individual relevant emission sources over time. It should therefore be noted that, due to limited data availability and quality, the accounting could not be carried out in accordance with established standards such as the GHG Protocol or DIN EN ISO 14064. No claim is made that the inventory is exhaustive.
In particular, the assessment took into account emissions from electricity and heat consumption, as well as CO₂ savings resulting from tree-planting initiatives. Other emission sources, such as the travel behaviour of university staff and students, were not included due to a lack of data or data of limited reliability. The most significant contribution to reducing emissions is the complete switch to green electricity, which, according to the energy supplier, is carbon-neutral. In addition, further savings were achieved by reducing heat energy consumption. Overall, greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 were reduced by around 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compared with 2019.
The university thus meets the climate targets defined in development scenarios S1 and S2, which are based on both national guidelines and its own objectives. The results show that Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is well on its way to achieving these targets. Further progress towards climate neutrality is possible, in particular through additional measures in the area of heat supply, through further carbon offsetting projects and by placing greater emphasis on the issue of mobility.
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences’ integrated climate protection strategy sets out five development scenarios for becoming a climate-friendly university. Around three years after the implementation of the integrated climate protection strategy began, an assessment was carried out to determine how the measures taken to date had contributed to the goal of climate neutrality.
Greenhouse gas emissions were therefore reassessed. This was based on the baseline figure from the base year 2019 and the current actual figures for 2024. The accounting was carried out in a simplified form, aimed at estimating changes in individual relevant emission sources over time. It should therefore be noted that, due to limited data availability and quality, the accounting could not be carried out in accordance with established standards such as the GHG Protocol or DIN EN ISO 14064. No claim is made as to the completeness of the inventory.
In particular, emissions from electricity and heat consumption, as well as CO₂ savings resulting from tree-planting initiatives, were taken into account. Other sources of emissions, such as the travel behaviour of university members, were not included due to a lack of data or data of limited reliability. The most significant contribution to reducing emissions is the complete switch to green electricity, which, according to the energy supplier, is carbon-neutral. In addition, further savings were achieved by reducing heat energy consumption. Overall, greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 were reduced by around 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compared with 2019.
The university thus meets the climate targets defined in development scenarios S1 and S2, which are based on both national guidelines and its own objectives. The results show that Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is well on the way to achieving these targets. Further progress towards climate neutrality can be achieved, in particular, through additional measures in the area of heat supply, through further carbon offsetting projects, and by placing greater emphasis on the issue of mobility.
