Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
The University of Bucharest (UB) has started an institutional action towards energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in a strategic approach, with an internal and an external dimension.
The internal dimension of the strategic orientation in which action will be taken aims at changes within the organization and includes aspects such as:
- activities, processes, logistics, investments – including the management of university assets;
- efficient consumption of energy, water and materials in UB and their permanent monitoring;
- the adoption of renewable energy production and energy consumption management systems;
- selective collection and innovative utilization of waste;
- sustainable transport;
- carrying out ecological public procurement – the purchase of goods, services and works with a low impact on the environment, during their entire life cycle.
The external dimension of strategic orientation refers to the involvement of the UB at the regional, national, and international level and concerns the UB’s commitment in measures, actions and forms of collaboration on multiple levels:
- Regional – UB has the duty to get involved in solving the capital’s problems, offering “know-how” and innovative approaches through its specialists.
- National – UB experts will be able to contribute to informing the public, objectively engaging in the main debates on sustainability issues, and shaping national public policies.
- International – active participation in international academic programs of study, research and innovation dedicated to sustainability. UB has the ability to assume a role as a Southeast European academic hub on sustainability issues.
The data in the following tables illustrate the monitoring of various sources of greenhouse gas emissions within the UB, starting in a structured way from 2021. The University is in an extensive data collection process for making strategic decisions, so the values are to be updated
No. | Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources * | Number |
Consumption according to technical book |
Amount of CO2 emissions released (tonnes) |
||||||
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
1. | Boiler type equipment (Central heating) | 78 | 80 | 95 | 2,654, 175.00 natural gas/year (m3) |
2,671, 275.00 natural gas/year (m3) |
2,714, 165,00 natural gas/year (m3) |
5,308.35 | 5,342.55 | 5,428.33 |
* Note 1: Other sources of greenhouse gas emissions will also be identified, such as ovens, vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.), equipment’s, electrical devices, household appliances (air conditioners, washing machines, microwave, etc.).
Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) are CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere from sources owned and controlled by the institution:
No. | Categories of emission sources | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Amount of CO2 emissions released (tonnes) 2021 | Amount of CO2 emissions released (tonnes) 2022 |
Amount of CO2 emissions released (tonnes) 2023 |
1. | Heat consumption | TBD | 7.899,14 Mwh/year | 5.498,67
Mwh/year |
1595,28 | 1110,49 | |
2. | Gas consumption | TBD | 17.106. 916,16 Kwh (respectively 1.571. 460,23 m3) |
17.278. 158,66 Kwh (respectively 1.605. 023,00 m3) |
3454,91 | 3489,41 | |
3. | Water consumption | 370179 m3 | 482.643,60 m3 |
**Note 2: Data not yet completed are not available at this moment and will be determined later.
Indirect GHG Emissions (Scope 2) are CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere from indirect electricity, respectively, from electricity generation purchased/consumed by the institution. Purchased electricity is defined as electricity purchased or otherwise brought into the institution.
No. | Categories of emission sources | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Amount of CO2 emissions released (tonnes) 2021 | Amount of CO2 emissions released (tonnes) 2022 |
Amount of CO2 emisssions released (tonnes) 2023 |
1. | Electricity consumption | 5099215 Kwh/year | 5.184.519 Kwh/year | 5.857.651,08
Kwh/year |
1351.30 | 1373.90 | 1552,28 |
Other indirect GHG emissions (Scope 3) are CO2 emissions released because of activities and arise from sources not owned or controlled by the institution.
No. | Categories of emission sources | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
1. | Business air travellers – categories and numbers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
2. | Journeys made by commuting employees – categories and numbers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
3. | Organic plant waste collected and reused as fertilizers at the Botanical Garden Dimitrie Brândză UB: | |||
3.1 | Vegetal (m3) | 150 | 652 | |
3.2 | Paper/ cardboard (m3) | 26,94 | 31,9 | |
3.3 | Plastic (m3) | 5,5 | 20,7 | |
3.4 | Glass (m3) | 1,1 | 1,1 |
Marc, 21 – International Forest Day
March, 22– International Water Day
April, 22 – International Earth Day
May, 10 – Birds and Trees International Day
May, 15 – International Day of Climate Action
May, 22 – International Biodiversity Day
June, 5 – World Environment Day
June, 8 – World Oceans Day
June, 21 – World Sun Day
September, 23 – World Cleanliness Day
October, 1 – World Habitat Day
October, 31 – International Black Sea Day
December, 5 – International Soil Day
December, 11 – International Mountain Day
- Department for sustainable development in Romania
- The national strategy for the Sustainable Development of Romania 2030
- United Nations Department of Global Communications
- United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals
- United Nations Development Programme
- United Nations – Agenda for Sustainable Development
- European Commission – Sustainable Development Goals
- Eurostat – Sustainable Development Goals Overview
- European Commission – Sustainable Development Goals – Visualisation tools
- Times Higher Education – Impact Rankings