Sustainability

Facts and figures

The University monitors its environmental impact using indicators in a number of sectors.

Detailed information is available in the published reports. For further information, please to contact the UniD Coordination.

The University conducts a simplified carbon footprint assessment on a yearly basis. Every four years, an in-depth assessment is undertaken using additional surveys.
Heating and transportation, in particular air travail, are the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Between 2020 and 2022, emissions fell drastically due to the distruption to the institution’s activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023 and 2024, emissions stabilized. Despite the resumption of normal operations at the University, the overall footprint remains below the pre-pandemic period (-11% in 2024 compared with 2019).
In accordance with the GHG Protocol, direct and indirect emissions from the University’s activities are accounted for. However, due to the complexity and lack of data, the footprint does not include every purchase category at this stage. More detailed analyses would be needed to quantify the impact of procurement.

The Buildings, Environment and Security Department (SBES) monitors energy consumption and implements optimization measures.
Most of the buildings that the University occupies are connected to the district heating network managed by a local energy provider. Currently, this network is mainly powered by fossil fuels (gas).
A few small buildins are heated by gas or oil, but their number is decreasing (heat pump installation, connection to district heating).
Between 2019 and 2024, total electricity consumption fell by 19%, mainly as a result of optimisation projects on the UniMail site. However, future electricity consumption depends on the needs of research equipment.
Since 2021, the State of Neuchâtel has begun installing photovoltaic systems on some of the University’s buildings. The renewable electricity produced is used directly on site, but the impact remains marginal for the time being.

In 2024, the accounting department recorded 1,162 flights, equivalent to a total of some 4.2 million km and 1,032 tonnes of CO2eq.
Compared to 2019, total emissions from air travel have been reduced by 19%. This trend is particularly pronounced for short flights (-64% for flights of less than 1,000 km, versus -11% for longer flights). This is partly attributable to the introduction of new rules regarding travel within Europe.
The University publishes an annuel report dedicated to air travel, its climate impact and the institutions measures implemented to address it.

The University regularly conducts surveys regarding the commuting habits of its staff and students. The most recent survey was carried out in 2022.
In 2022, more than two-thirds of the community commuted by public transport, cycling, walking or other forms of low-carbon transportation. This rate is higher among students (79%) than among staff (59%).

Every building is equipped with waste sorting stations, where the most common materials can be recycled.
In 2024, the amount of waste generated on campus (all materials combined) amounts to around 15 kilograms per person per year. Despite an increase in 2024 compared with previous years (2020-2022), this indicator remains well below the pre-pandemic level (2015-2019).
Between 2015 and 2024, lthe weight of waste incinerated was reduced by 41% and the weight of paper disposed of fell by 20%.
Conversely, the amount of electronic waste, measured systematically from 2019 onwards, is increasing. This is an important category in terms of environmental impact.