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== Green university in Czech Republic ==
== Green University in the Czech Republic ==


=== Carbon neutral University of Graz - their project and approach to climate protection ===


== Content ==
The main goal of the project "Klimaneutrale Universität Graz" is the reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions at the University of Graz and also a 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 - a transdisciplinary case study at the University of Graz). Carbon neutrality is included as a strategic aim in the development plan for the period 2013-2018. The project was published for the public in March 2012 as part of the action "Klimaschutz? Ja, bitte! " (Climate protection? Yes, please!). The university wants to report on climate protection at the Univesity of Graz every year.<ref>KOZINA, Ch.,Die Universität Graz wird klimaneutral,WHAT'S UP ZUR ENERGIEWENDEKONFERENZ JUNI 2012 [online] [cit. 16. Juni 2012]
URL: < http://gruene-akademie.at/publikationen/whats-up-zur-energiewendekonferenz-juni-2012/die-universitaet-graz-wird-klimaneutral ></ref>


1. Climate neutral Univerzity of Graz - their project and approach to climate protection
The project focuses on different issues with the potential to decrease emissions. The potential for a total reduction of emissions was identified within the areas of electricity, heating and mobility. In terms of heating and electricity, there is not so much effort needed. Both of them are already based on renewable resources. Within the mobility issue, there are many ways of how to reduce CO<sub>2</sub> 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, although a 100% reduction is impossible.


2. Problems of the Czech republic and approach to this problem
Since March 5th 2012, the website for this project has offered the possibility to calculate one's own ecological footprint and expenditure of CO<sub>2</sub> by the „Zero Emission Calculator“. There is also a space for ideas and solutions how to decrease the consumption of CO<sub>2</sub> at the university.CO<sub>2</sub>. Every month the coordination team of the project organizes a meeting where everybody can contribute with their own suggestions<ref>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 ></ref>.


3. Proposed solutions for Czech universities
The University of Graz supports initiations for environmental sustainability. Twenty-five projects for climate protection were implemented at the university from 2004 until 2011. The newest one began in 2011 ("Klimaneutrale Universität Graz"). The university has implemented various measures for climate protection. Cafeterias offer the possibility to buy some Fair Trade products, sensor lights were installed in some parts of the buildings, insulation whas been as applied, and solar panels were installed on the roof of some buildings. Many activities were carried out in the field of mobility. Parking places were reduced and specific streets in the campus were closed for cars. A charging station for electric bicycles working from a photovoltaic panel was installed in front of the library. Cycling pathways were created around the campus area and bike rental was opened at the university.<ref>Klimaneutrale Universität Graz,[online] URL: <http://www.uni-graz.at/klimaneutral></ref><ref>Uni Graz will Energieverbrauch reduzieren[online] [cit. 06.03.2012] URL: < http://steiermark.orf.at/news/stories/2523735/ ></ref>


4. Literature
The University of Graz received on April 23rd 2 honours at Sustainability Awards 2012.<ref>Nachhaltige Univesitäten - Sustainability Award am 23. April 2012 zum 3. Mal verliehen[online] [cit. 27.06.2012 ] URL: < http://www.lebensministerium.at/umwelt/nachhaltigkeit/bildung_nachhaltige_entwicklung/nachhaltigeunis.html ></ref> It was awarded in these categories: 


== 1. Climate neutral University of Graz ==
*  administration and managemant with mobility strategy („UniMobility 4ALL“)
*  education with educational course „Nachhaltiges Bauen“ (Sustainable build)


The university want to totally reduce the greenhouse gases and emission as well the first. The main aim of the project "Klimaneutrale Universität Graz" is decrease of carbon dioxide , its produced by using of traffic, incineration. The head of this project is Christian Kozina. He studied enviromentel sciences and this project is the part of his dissertation project „Nachhaltige Klimaneutralität im Dienstleistungssektor – Transdisziplinäre Fallstudie an der Universität Graz“ (Sustainable climate-neutrality in the service - sector - transdisciplinary case study at the university Graz).
The university won a prize in the Administration category for the third time (also in the years 2008 and 2010).<ref>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 ></ref>
The climate-neutrality is included such as strategic aim in the devolopment - plan for the period 2013 -2018.
They want to replace fossile fuels by natural renewable resources. Another possibility is energy consumption and compensate of emissions.
This project focuses on mobility, heating, electric current, quality of products.
For this aim the new technologies are available, they are acceptable for the environment.
This project has a big advantage for the university itself, because the costs were decreased.
The university had 25 projects for climate protection since 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 CO<sub>2</sub> in the „Zero Emission Calculator“  and everybody can describe her solution or ideas of decrease of CO<sub>2</sub>.
Monthly the team of this project organizes the meeting, where everybody can contribute.
 
I list specific measures for climate protection - the possibility to buy of fair trade products and the to eat in the bio menza, 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 ( solar boiler - under development, heating of water ), under construction are photovoltaic system.
 
The University of Graz became 2 honours this year within action Sustainability Awards 2012 in the day 23. April. It won within this categories: 
 
-  administration and managemant with mobility strategy (  „UniMobility 4ALL“ )


- education with educational course with  „Nachhaltiges Bauen“ ( Sustainable build )
=== Situation in the Czech Republic and a possible outline of a Green University project ===
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 has a long history of putting sustainable development issues into practice, whereas the Czech Republic has not met many of the stated priorities yet.<ref>Stav místní Agendy 21 ve dvanácti evropských zemích URL: < http://www.cenia.cz/web/www/web-pub2.nsf/$pid/MZPMSFHW5QFD/$FILE/stav_ma21_ve12ti_zemich_evropy.pdf ></ref><ref>The strategic framework for sustainable development in the Czech Republic URL: < http://www.mzp.cz/C125750E003B698B/en/czech_republic_strategy_sd/$FILE/KM-SFSD_CR_EN-20100317.pdf ></ref>. While Austria is well-known for its long and positive approach to the sustainable development concept and renewable sources of energy, the Czech Republic is much more dependent on fossil fuels.
As far as we are concerned, the issues most related to possible carbon neutrality (heating, electricity) are difficult to change on a short-term basis, our project should therefore be firstly aimed at greening the university by various ´simple´ steps. Possible solutions to addressing problems (or other challenges) will be discussed in the concluding part of this analysis.


== 2. Problems of the Czech republic and approach to this problem ==
Simultaneously, we would like to be the first ´Green University´ in our country and that way set an example for other Czech higher education institutions to follow. Actually, there used to be a Czech project called Zelená univerzita aimed at the same issue, but unfortunately it was never completed and came to a standstill for reasons unknown to us a couple of years ago.<ref>[9] ACSA URL: < http://www.acsa.cz/zuni/ ></ref>


When considering applying the Austrian model of a carbon neutral university to Czech circumstances, one must consider the priorities and whether we shouldn´t start off  by making smaller steps before focusing on the energy issues which are much complicated issue to start with.  
First of all, the actual agenda should be assessed. We will set up a team of active individuals (ideally around 10 people) who will create a plan of long-term activities. In order to gain information from successful cases of foreign ´green universities´, we will contact the University of Lueneburg (Germany), the University of Graz (Austria), and Lund University (Sweden) to provide us with information, advice and tips how to proceed.
The typical university in the Czech Republic is much more dependent on fossil fuels than the Austrian one. As far as the heating and electricity is 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 bet he 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.  
<ref>The Lüneburg Sustainable University Project in international comparison: An assessment against North American peers URL: < http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1630633&show=html > </ref><ref>Sustainable university URL: < http://www.uni-graz.at/en/university/interdisciplinary-affairs/sustainable-university/ > </ref><ref>Hållbart Universitet - Lund Students for Sustainability is the environmental student organization of Lund University URL: < http://www.hallbartuni.se/?lang=en ></ref>


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 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 for obtaining a grant. We shall also discuss with the rector´s office the possibility of support (financial as well as/or official patronage). At the moment there is a good oportunity to get an O2 Think Big grant which would enable us to finance the activities in our project. <ref>Nadace O2 - Think Big - Pravidla URL: < http://www.o2thinkbig.cz/pravidla/ ></ref> 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, although on the other hand, cooperating with local entrepreneurs may be a very good tool for attracting students of technical studies in the first stage – once the students join the project, there is a chance for them to get a job or training in those companies.  


Before we start with a potential campaign, we will investigate our possibilities of obtaining a grant. We would also discuss it with the rector´s office in order to gain support (financial as well as 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 (this could be a tool for attracting students of technical studies – once they join the project, there might be a chance for them to get a scholarship or even a job in cooperating 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 questions related to this topic. In order to enhance students´ awareness, we will organize lectures, workshops and field trips with lecturers from cooperating universities. An interactive webpage will be set up for students and teachers to learn more about our goals and read background information. There will also be a carbon footprint calculator for them as well as a box for their ideas and tips how to green their university. 
Promotion of our project will mainly be done by the website mentioned above, we will also print brochures with basic information. Once a year we will organize a Green Festival at the campus where we plan to address students from all fields of study and inform them about our activities. The Green Festival would comprise various activities, e.g. contests for environmentally-friendly prizes, games, demonstrations of environmentally friendly projects and products.


The next step would be to attract students to the topic and raise awareness about the issue. 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 the awareness, we will organize lectures and workshops with professionals from cooperating universities. An interactive
=== Proposed solutions for Czech universities ===


== 3.Proposed solutions for Czech universities ==
In the last section of our study we would like to propose some solutions which could be implemented at Czech universities. Cooperation with NGOs and municipalities can facilitate student initiatives.


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.  
Firstly, we would like to educate students and staff members in the field of sustainable development. We are planning to offer courses at the university which will be open for all faculties. An excursion to environmentally sustainable projects will be offered to the most active students. Every year we will arrange an essay competition focused on this topic.  


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.  
Apart from an educational program, we plan to start several activities at the university. We have identified huge potential with regard to the mobility issue where many different steps could be applied. Students and staff members can significantly reduce their ecological footprint by riding their bike on the 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.
We will start with different campaigns explaining the positives of cycling, which we will identify not just in terms of environmental, but also health issues. Students riding their bike on the way to school will be awarded with T-shirts raising awareness about our campaigns. In the near future, we are also planning to establish some competitions, e.g. for the 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.  
Conditions for cycling around Czech towns and cities are not very well developed. We are planning to establish cooperation with municipal governments 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, a 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport].
 
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.
 
== 4. Literature ==
 
[] Klimaneutrale Universität Graz,[online] URL: < http://www.uni-graz.at/klimaneutral
 
[] 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 >
In addition to bike mobility, we are also planning to promote public transport, since there is not the possibility for everybody to travel just by bike, especially during the winter months. Public transport significantly reduces emissions and environmental impacts in comparison with private vehicles.  


[] KOZINA, Ch.,Die Universität Graz wird klimaneutral,WHAT'S UP ZUR ENERGIEWENDEKONFERENZ JUNI 2012 [online] [cit. 16. Juni 2012]
Apart from the mobility question, a green university should also deal 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. In the beginning, we will start with campaigns for electricity savings because they can be easily achieved by a change in students´ behaviour. That´s why we are planning to attach posters next to light switches.


URL: < http://gruene-akademie.at/publikationen/whats-up-zur-energiewendekonferenz-juni-2012/die-universitaet-graz-wird-klimaneutral >
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 paks, batteries or organic waste. Waste minimisation and reuse of waste are even more important steps that come before recycling. We would like to convince students and staff members to change their behaviour in alignment with these concepts.  For example, we are planning to start a campaign promoting tap water instead of bottled water.


[] Nachhaltige Univesitäten - Sustainability Award am 23. April 2012 zum 3. Mal verliehen[online] [cit. 27.06.2012 ]
The 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.


URL: < http://www.lebensministerium.at/umwelt/nachhaltigkeit/bildung_nachhaltige_entwicklung/nachhaltigeunis.html >
Generally, there are many possibilities how to decrease the ecological footprint of Czech universities and their members. Lot of inspiration can be found among the projects of foreign universities. We hope that our effort will raise the environmental awareness of our students and staff members, which will also affect their behaviour in everyday life.


[] Uni Graz will Energieverbrauch reduzieren[online] [cit. 06.03.2012]
===References===
<references/>


URL: < Uni Graz will Energieverbrauch reduzieren >
[[Category:Case studies]]
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