Green University in the Czech Republic
Green University in the Czech Republic
Content
1. Carbon neutral University of Graz - their project and approach to climate protection
2. Situation in the Czech Republic and first steps to solving it (possible outline)
3. Proposed solutions for Czech universities
4. Literature
Carbon neutral University of Graz - their project and approach to climate protection
The main goal of the project "Klimaneutrale Universität Graz" is the reduction of CO2 emissions at the University of Graz and vision of carbon neutrality. The head of the project is PhD. student Christian Kozina from the Institute of Geography and Regional science at the University of Graz. It is part of his dissertation project Nachhaltige Klimaneutralität im Dienstleistungssektor – Transdisziplinäre Fallstudie an der Universität Graz“ (Sustainable carbon-neutrality in the service sector - transdisciplinary case study at the university Graz). The carbon neutrality is included as a strategic aim in the development plan for the period 2013-2018.[3]
The project focuses on different issues with the potential to decrease emissions. Potential for total reduction of emissions was identified within the areas of electricity, heating and mobility. In the terms of heating and electricity, there is not som much work needed. Both of them are already based on renewable resources, which is quite common in Austria. Within the mobility issue, there are many ways how to reduce CO2 emissions. Public transport and cycling are promoted in order to limit the environmental impact of private vehicles. Other areas covered by the project are nutrition and consumption. There is some possibility for the decrease of emissions within both of them, altough total reduction is impossible.
Since 05.03.2012 website of this project offers the possibility to calculate one's own ecological footprint and consumtion of CO2 2 by the „Zero Emission Calculator“. There is also a space for ideas and solutions how to decrease the consumption of CO2 at the university.CO2.
25 projects for the climate protection took place at the university from 2004 until 2011. The newest one began in 2011 ("Klimaneutrale Universität Graz"). Within of this projects are making the workshops. Since 05.03.2012 can everybody calculate one's comsumption of CO2 in the „Zero Emission Calculator“ and everybody can describe her solution or ideas of decrease of CO2. Monthly the team of this project organizes the meeting, where everybody can contribute.[2]
I list specific measures for climate protection - the possibility to buy of fair trade products and the to eat in the bio menza, in the building is sensor lighting, other measure is thermal insulation, transformation for eco-electric current, Solar - electric currect refuelling for the electric - bicycles, parking place were reduced and specific streets in the campus were closed, on the roof can we find the solar panel - on the roof could be installed around 600 m² of this panels ( solar boiler - under development, heating of water ), under construction are photovoltaic system. In the german-speaking countries are very good condition for cycling and its belong to tradion of this two countries ( Germany, Austria ). The cycling - pathway are build in the streets.[1][6]
The University of Graz became 2 honours this year within action Sustainability Awards 2012 in the day 23. April.[4] It won within this categories:
- administration and managemant with mobility strategy ( „UniMobility 4ALL“ )
- education with educational course with „Nachhaltiges Bauen“ ( Sustainable build )
The university was successful within this action for the third time - in the year 2008 and 2010 in the categoty Administration.[5]
Situation in the Czech Republic and first steps to solving it (possible outline)
When considering applying the Austrian model of a carbon neutral university to Czech circumstances, one must take into account the situation in our country. Austria have a long history of putting sustainable development issues into practice whereas Czech Republic has not met many of the stated priorities yet. [7] [8]. The typical university in the Czech Republic is much more dependent on fossil fuels than the Austrian one. In order to make the smallest (and more easily applicable) steps first, we will concentrate on greening the university before focusing on the energy issues most related to carbon neutrality (heating, electricity). As far as these topics are concerned, Austria is well-known for its long and positive approach to sustainable development concept and renewable sources of energy. However, we would still like to be the first ´Green University´ in our country and that way set the path for other Czech high education institutions, our project should therefore be first aimed at greening the university by various ´simple´ steps. Possible solutions to addressed problems (or other challenges) will be discussed in the third part of this analysis.
First of all, the actual agenda should be set. We will set up a team of active individuals (ideally around 10 people) who will create the plan of long-term activities. In order to gain information from successful cases of foreign ´green universities´, we will contact University of Lueneburg (Germany), University of Graz (Austria), Lund University (Sweden) to provide us with information, advice and tips how to proceed. [] [] []
Before we start with a potential campaign, we will investigate our possibilities of obtaining a grant. We shall also discuss it with the rector´s office regarding a possible support (financial as well as/or official patronage). At the moment there is a good oportunity to get a O2 Think Big grant which would enable us to finance the activities in our project. [] For further funding we will consider addressing companies conducting business in the field of renewable energy sources. We realize that in this project we will not focus on energy itself, on the other hand, cooperating with local entrepreneurs may be a very good tool for attracting students of technical studies at the first stage – once the students join the project, there is a potential of them getting a job or a training in those companies).
The next - and the most challenging - step would be to attract students to the Green University project and raise awareness about the issue of sustainable development itself. As far as we are concerned, there is not much knowledge among Czech students about the implementation of sustainable development goals, we would thus start our campaign with questionnaires based on queries related to this topic. In order to enhance students´ awareness, we will organize lectures and workshops with lecturers from cooperating universities. An interactive webpage will be set up for students and teachers to write their ideas and tips how to green their university.
Proposed solutions for Czech universities
In the last section of our study we would like to propose some solutions, which can be implemented at Czech universities. Cooperation with NGOs and municipality can facilitate the students’ initiation.
We identified huge potential within the mobility issue, where many different actions could be applied. Students and staff members can significantly reduce their ecological footprint by riding their bike on a way to university and around the entire town. Therefore, we should encourage them to do that and also improve the conditions for such activity.
We will start with different campaigns explaining positives of cycling, which we identify not just in environmental, but also health issues. Students riding their bike on a way to school will be awarded by T-shirts presenting our campaigns. In the near future, we are also planning to realize some competitions, e.g. in a total number of kilometres ridden by members of different faculties.
Conditions for cycling around Czech towns and cities are not very well developed. We are planning to establish cooperation with municipal government to improve this situation. Bike stands installed around the buildings of the university, together with facilities for service would be very helpful for cyclists. At some universities, where students have to travel between different faculties, bike rental system should be developed together with bicycle paths connecting faculties and libraries.
In addition to bike mobility, we are planning to promote also public transport, since there is not possibility for everybody to travel just by bike. Public transport significantly reduces emissions and environmental impacts in comparison with private vehicles [1].
Apart from mobility question, green university should also cope with other issues, such as waste management, procurement, food consumption, heating or electricity. As we have already mentioned, heating and electricity matters appear to be quite difficult for the starting phase of the project. At the beginning, we will start with campaigns for electricity savings, because they can be easily achieved by the change of students´ behaviour. That´s why we are planning to attach posters next to light switchers.
Recycling of materials is another very important tool in reducing the ecological footprint. It´s important so separate different kinds of waste at Czech universities, such as paper, plastics, aluminium and other metals, glass, Tetra pak, batteries or biological waste. Waste minimisation and reuse of waste are even more important steps that come before the recycling. We would like to convince students and staff members to change their behaviour in consonance with these concepts. For example, we are planning to start a campaign promoting tap water instead of bottled one.
Introduction of green procurement at Czech universities seems to be a difficult and time-demanding task. Students should try to convince their universities, canteens and cafeterias to choose environmentally friendly products, together with local and Fair Trade commodities. Libraries and staff members should use recycled paper and print on both sides, which is sometimes not happening these days.
Literature
[1] Klimaneutrale Universität Graz,[online] URL: < http://www.uni-graz.at/klimaneutral
[2] KOZINA, Ch., Climate Neutral University of Graz,[online] [cit. 11.9.2012]
URL: < http://vcsewiki.czp.cuni.cz/wiki/File:Climate_Neutral_University_of_Graz.ppt >
[3] KOZINA, Ch.,Die Universität Graz wird klimaneutral,WHAT'S UP ZUR ENERGIEWENDEKONFERENZ JUNI 2012 [online] [cit. 16. Juni 2012]
[4] Nachhaltige Univesitäten - Sustainability Award am 23. April 2012 zum 3. Mal verliehen[online] [cit. 27.06.2012 ]
[5] Uni Graz mit dem „Nachhaltigkeits-Oscar“ Sustainability Award 2012 ausgezeichnet,UNI.NEWS 166
[online][ 27.4.2012 ]
URL: < http://www.uni-graz.at/bdrwww/bdrwww_uninews/bdrwww_uninews2012/bdrwww_uninews2012_166.htm#166_4 >
[6] Uni Graz will Energieverbrauch reduzieren[online] [cit. 06.03.2012]