Infrastructure aspect

The Innovation and Development Institute of the University of Ljubljana (IRI UL) plays an important role in promoting the greening of the infrastructure of higher education institutions. Its activities are based on the implementation of interdisciplinary scientific and research projects, development projects and professional collaborations, actively involving researchers, experts and students of the University of Ljubljana (UL). Through this cooperation, the capacity of UL for greening of infrastructure and the introduction of such content in teaching processes is being strengthened. Its people-centred development approach combines social sciences, humanities, engineering knowledge and research methodology.

IRI UL has access to the best international projects (Horizon and Erasmus+) and the latest practices in the field of sustainable development, which enables the transfer of this knowledge and experience to Slovenian society. This transfer is realised through demonstration projects and collaborations with different stakeholders. In Erasmus+ projects it involves students and develops new educational approaches where sustainability and environmental issues are at the heart of the learning process. In the more challenging EU Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe research and innovation projects, it develops technological and non-technological solutions in the areas of sustainable energy, energy efficiency in buildings and sustainable built environment, all of which are intersected with applied social science research.

In the field of public infrastructure, IRI UL advises UL on the energy renovation of existing buildings and the planning of new buildings. Its expertise is particularly important in the planning of projects focusing on energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of the environmental footprint. IRI UL acts as an integral energy manager of the University of Ljubljana's building stock, which means that it actively supports the processes of introducing renewable energy sources and reducing energy consumption in existing buildings.

IRI UL thus represents a key academic and research support unit that helps the University of Ljubljana to achieve its sustainability goals in the fields of energy, environmental footprint and overall greening of infrastructure. With its expertise and experience, it contributes to sustainable development and a better environment, and strengthens the role of the University of Ljubljana as a responsible institution for a sustainable future.

Through the co-financing from the Recovery and Resilience Facility the University of Ljubljana will also obtain two higher education infrastructures: the Campus Vrazov trg – the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ljubljana and the new building of the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana.

 These will be highly energy-efficient buildings with a primary energy demand that will be at least 20% lower than the requirement for nearly zero-energy buildings. In line with current legislation and guidelines, the new building will have an impact on the provision of accessible education and jobs for people with disabilities.

The projects will fully respect the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle, and the buildings are designed in accordance with DGNB criteria and will demonstrate an overall sustainable quality that also takes into account future developments. As part of the DGNB certification, an LC analysis will also be carried out to provide information on the environmental impact of the buildings and their individual parts, and thus information on the impact on climate change. At the same time, this will allow for the selection of more environmentally friendly solutions in the design process, taking into account a wide range of different impacts.

Organizational aspect

The University of Ljubljana (UL) will publish its first comprehensive sustainability strategy, which will help to reinforce and guide its commitment and active contribution to sustainable transformation of the higher education and the society as a whole. Its contents will outline the University’s overarching approach to sustainability and define its key commitments and targets related to different priority areas that will be determined on the basis of and aligned with the principles of (education for) sustainable development. The commitments focusing on the development and implementation of activities that support the process of greening the UL’s operations and curricula will be covered by the strategy, as well. Still, the UL has already been trying to make (some of) its everyday operations more environmentally-friendly, which is reflected in established practices that include but are not limited to going paperless (Rectorate UL), supporting green mobility options for students and staff (Green Erasmus+ exchange initiative, ECO Month – Sustainable Mobility Month), encouraging them to recycle and reduce waste, adopting the UL energy action plan (2015), and publishing annual energy accounting reports since 2015 (Institute for Innovation and Development of the UL).

The UL established a working group for sustainable development (ASTRA) that brings together members from all of its faculties and academies. The purpose of this working group is to review the current state of sustainable operations and practices at the UL and to prepare guidelines for their upgrade and/or future development in the following areas: mobility, energy renovation of buildings, use of plastic, and paperless business. In the process of revising the University’s day-to-day operations the working group follow the principles of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

In addition, the UL efforts towards greening its operations are clearly reflected in its active involvement in the international (research) networks that are committed to addressing different sustainability issues. Such partnerships offer a great opportunity for participating in dialogue about the challenges related to sustainability transitions, the (peer-to-peer) exchange of good practices regarding the greening efforts within the higher education setting, and the development of joint initiatives, study programmes, research projects or solutions related to sustainable development. The UL is, for example, a member of two such international networks – the EUTOPIA (European University Alliance) and the Guild network. UL representatives are actively participating in the sustainability working group established by each of the above-mentioned alliances (i.e., SON – Sustainability Officers Network and Sustainability Working Group, respectively). Moreover, the UL is one of the project co-leads and partners working on the EUTOPIA-MORE project. The latter aims, inter alia, to provide framework and guidance for the (joint) institutional transformation of EUTOPIA members as well as its partner institutions driven by the principles of SDGs. Specifically, the UL will be included in the development of the network’s action plan for the following strategic areas: ‘Climate Framework, Energy, Mobility, Resources/Waste’ and ‘Social Innovations and Social Entrepreneurship’.

The Faculty of Environmental Protection (FEP) in Velenje, through its curriculum focusing on environmental protection, makes an important contribution to the green transition, but is also aware that it needs to green its operational activities, not only to reduce negative environmental impacts, but also because this is an important part of the so-called hidden curriculum or culture of a higher education institution. FEP has taken an evidence-informed approach to greening its operational activities and has launched a project to calculate its carbon footprint for 2023.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the consumption of energy products, materials and services and emissions from waste, etc. shall be calculated according to the established methodology prescribed by ISO 14064-1. Tailored questionnaires have also been developed to collect data on study-related activities of staff and students. This will allow the collection of data on direct GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) as well as indirect GHG emissions (Scope 3) related to the operation of FEP. It is the indirect emissions related to the commuting and travel of employees and students to the faculty, etc., that make a key contribution to FEP's carbon footprint.

Every higher education institution has an impact on the environment. Measuring environmental impact is essential to make informed decisions, improve the sustainability of operations and reduce negative impacts on the environment. The calculation of the carbon footprint focuses on the amount of GHGs produced by any organisation. This calculation helps to identify and monitor their emissions and develop plans to reduce them.

Based on the results, FEP will prepare a strategic plan to reduce environmental impacts. This will allow them to significantly reduce the GHG emissions associated with the FVO's operations over the next year, without additional costs or infrastructure interventions.

The developed methodology will be transferable to other higher education institutions in Slovenia.