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The actions specific to this sector will be validated by the HES SO Geneva on 10 December 2024.
The actions specific to this sector will be validated by the HES SO Geneva on 10 December 2024.
The actions specific to this sector will be validated by the HES SO Geneva on 10 December 2024.
The actions specific to this sector will be validated by the HES SO Geneva on 10 December 2024.
The actions specific to this sector will be validated by the HES SO Geneva on 10 December 2024.
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva is a highly committed actor in local climate action. By adopting the four-year sustainability strategy for 2021-2024 by the Rectorate, the 6 schools (hautes écoles) of University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva’s aim to set new ambitions and firm commitments towards sustainability. Due to its multidisciplinary, professionalizing, and deeply rooted nature, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva must make an essential contribution to the necessary transition that is needed. It is our role to implement this strategy, through the activities of its 6 schools: Geneva School of Engineering, Architecture and Landscape (HEPIA), Geneva School of Business Administration (HEG), Geneva School of Art and Design (HEAD), Haute école de musique de Genève (HEM), Geneva School of Social Work (HETS), Geneva School of Health Sciences (HEdS).
The strategy provides a framework for implementing sustainability measures. It enables each component (schools, domains, and administrative services) to contribute, with its specific objectives, its own resources, and within its scope of action, to the realization of common commitments. It also contributes to meeting the legal requirements regarding sustainability for Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences and arts.
This strategy has been adopted in line with a global context of transition towards a more sustainable world, particularly with the adoption of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as a national context with the adoption of the Swiss Federal Council’s 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy. Based on this framework, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva aims to take measures in favor of climate action and sustainability and has identified five action areas: governance, education, research and innovation, its societal responsibility, and sustainable management.
Sustainable Purchases
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva has adopted a Sustainable Purchase Policy in march 2022. We are now aiming for responsible purchases whose environmental, social and economic impacts are as positive as possible over the entire life cycle. Responsible purchasing encompasses aspects of social responsibility linked to goods or services and suppliers involved in supply chains. The implementation of this policy is ongoing, alongside trainings for staff responsible for purchases.
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva has joined the Exemplary Energy and Climate (EEC) initiative, one of the 12 measures of the federal 2050 energy strategy. EEC participants set individual targets until 2026 and 2030 in terms of energy efficiency, ecological electricity production, renewable heat and cold as well as renewable fuels.
Aware of the environmental and climatic impacts linked to the mobility of its community, but also in order to support the cantonal authorities in their objectives, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva has adopted a Mobility Policy (2023-26). This transparent and transversal policy aims to encourage a change in practices towards low-carbon modes of travel, with the objective of a reduction of 5 to 10% in the average km traveled in Individual Motorized Transport by 2030 (year of reference 2023). Three main axes have been identified in order to implement this policy, in particular regular monitoring of travel practices, promotion of sustainable modes; and support for the entire community in the form of awareness and communication.
Following a survey carried out in collaboration with Transports Publics Genevois, we identified that 80% of our community travels sustainably, a very promising result and one to be encouraged.
In parallel, we collaborate with Movetia and its Greener Mobility IRO-Kit to encourage our students and staff to choose alternative modes of transportation to flying for their travels.
In the realm of sustainable IT, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva promotes the recycling of its equipment and, through the collaborative platform “sustainable laboratories,” the institution donates digital equipment to developing countries. This year, the institution is looking to transform its Digital Strategy into a Responsible Digital Strategy so to set up the framework for systemic change in daily digital practices.
In Geneva, zero waste coffee bars have been installed to reduce the ecological footprint of takeaway coffees.
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland-Geneva has a good recycling ratio, with adequate equipment in all its sites, effectively covering all waste fractions. Our next steps will consist in addressing food waste in our restaurants, in accordance with Geneva State’s future requirements.
2050Today’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement methodology follows the GHG Protocol. The Protocol provides standards and guidance for organizations to measure and manage climate-warming emissions. It was created in 1998 through a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
According to the GHG Protocol, the distribution of emissions is done by scopes:
Scope 1 represents direct emissions linked to the consumption of fossil fuels.
Scope 2 represents indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by the reporting company.
Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain (i.e. purchased good or services, business travel, employee commuting).
The 2050Today carbon footprint takes into account the reported emissions generated by the activities of the institution over one year and is divided by categories:
Energy and water
It takes into account the amount of the consumed electricity produced and purchased by the institution. The energy consumed to heat and/or cool the institution’s building area and the consumed water are included as well.
Mobility
It takes into consideration business travels and commuting (on a survey basis).
Food
The CO2 impact of food includes the catering of the institution and individual consumption (on a survey basis) during working hours.
Purchased goods
The perimeter of purchased goods is set to a list of new office equipment, new mobility equipment (vehicles) and construction materials.
Waste
The perimeter of the waste inventory is set to waste production from facilities and internal operations of the institution
It has to be noted that the collected data of the 2050Today members resulting in each carbon footprint are not yet fully standardized and might not be entirely complete. Data collection is being progressively harmonized and improved. Therefore, direct comparisons between tCO2 / employee among institutions – be it in general or per sector – are not yet possible nor relevant.
To ensure the reliability, the accuracy and a recurrent updating of the carbon footprint assessment, 2050Today is advised by an international Carbon Footprint Scientific Committee.
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