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The Green University Strategy Working Group at the Estonian University of Life Sciences assessed the organization's greenhouse gas footprint. Based on data from 2022, it was 5,880 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent*. Additionally, the greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural lands owned by the university and the Märja Experimental Farm's dairy production amount to 0.3 and 1502 tons, respectively.

However, the Järvselja teaching and experimental forest of the Estonian University of Life Sciences contains large forested areas, which sequester 38,008 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent in the trees (of which 29,352 tons is terrestrial carbon sequestration in the trunks and branches).

According to Sille Rebane, head of the university's Green University Strategy, the aim is still to reduce the university's environmental impact, which is why such a thorough assessment of greenhouse gases was undertaken. "This allows us to set plans for further data collection and to design an action plan on how to reduce the university's environmental footprint," said Rebane.

"For example, we have developed a maintenance and biodiversity plan for the Estonian University of Life Sciences' Tähtvere campus to manage our educational and research buildings and green areas more intelligently and sustainably. Last year, we thoroughly studied the biodiversity of our campus, and now we are working on an appropriate mowing regime based on that knowledge. This plan is updated annually," explained Sille Rebane. She also mentioned that on October 3-4, in collaboration with the "Let's Do It" movement, the university will host an international Zero Waste conference focusing on introducing circular solutions. Together with experts from various parts of Europe, they will seek solutions to reduce and prevent waste. Since the university has adopted Zero Waste management principles as a goal, this is a good opportunity for exchanging experiences and gaining new knowledge.

The university's greenhouse gas emissions were assessed in three categories. The direct emissions, which include emissions from the organization's vehicles and fugitive emissions from air conditioning systems, totaled 300 tons of CO2 equivalent. Indirect emissions, such as those from purchased energy, waste treatment, etc., amounted to 4,625 tons of CO2 equivalent. In addition to these, other indirect emissions were considered, such as those resulting from the commuting of university employees, purchased products and services, investments, etc., which amounted to 954 tons of CO2 equivalent.

Excluding the carbon sequestration by the forests, the average greenhouse gas footprint per employee at the Estonian University of Life Sciences is 5.88 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Sille Rebane noted that the university now has a clearer understanding of the sources of emissions and plans to create a strategy for reducing them. "The main goals are to prefer renewable energy for electricity, replace F-gases in fugitive emissions with more environmentally friendly gases, and, if possible, to prefer transportation means with a smaller footprint," Rebane explained the university's future plans.

The data analysis was based on the internationally widely used Greenhouse Gas Protocol reporting standards and the greenhouse gas footprint tool created by the Ministry of Climate.

*Carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent refers to a ton of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas