Green University

WORKING GROUP

The integration of the Green University principles and topics into the university's activities is based on the voluntary participation of students and staff.

To implement the Green University strategy and activities, a working group was established by the Rector’s Directive No. 1-9.RR/78 on September 23, 2024. The group includes representatives from institutes, support units, and students:

1. The Green University working group is composed of:
1.1. By position: the Rector, Head of the working group;
1.2. Sille Rebane – Rector’s Office, Green University Strategy Manager;
1.3. Elis Vollmer 
1.4. Ivari Kandima
1.5. Sirli Pehme
1.6. Mait Kriipsalu
1.7. Märt Reinvee 
1.8. Allan Kaasik
1.9. Piret Raudsepp 
1.10. Linnar Pärn
1.11. Kersten Piir 
1.12. Siret Kapak 
1.13. Leila Juhanson 
1.14. Kristina Kurm
1.15. Veljo Kabin 
1.16. Representative of the Roheline Campus;
1.17. Representative of the Estonian University of Life Sciences Student Union;
1.18. Representative of the Estonian Landscape Architecture Students' Association.

2. The tasks of the working group are to:
2.1. Plan university-wide and institute-specific green activities based on the university’s development plan, Green University strategy, and action plan, and to support and implement those activities;
2.2. Analyze, contribute ideas, make suggestions, and provide feedback on various emerging green topics within the university.

3. If necessary, other university staff, students, or units may be involved in the working group’s activities.
4. The Rector’s Directive No. 1-9.RR/64 “Formation of the Green University Working Group” dated August 23, 2023, is hereby repealed.

ADDITIONAL WORKING GROUPS

1. Waste Management Working Group
The aim of the Waste Management Working Group is to apply circular economy and zero waste principles in the university’s waste management system – to modernize and advance waste handling processes, including waste prevention, reduction, and on-site or partner-based reuse and valorization. Green principles are followed in every activity, including services and procurement.

Key plans for 2025 include mapping and analyzing regular and hazardous waste in laboratories and workshops. The group also focuses on applying Zero Waste criteria and mapping EMÜ’s waste management system, including procurement aspects. Additional efforts include promoting tap water usage and related actions.

The working group is led by Siret Kapak and includes Mait Kriipsalu, Kersten Piir, Leila Juhanson, and Sille Rebane.

2. UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Working Group
The aim of the UN SDG Working Group is to map the activities of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) in light of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to set objectives for how EMÜ can better and more purposefully align its activities with these goals. The targets and actions will be guided by EMÜ's research and educational principles, and their implementation forms an essential part of the university’s mission.

As a result, the work of EMÜ researchers and lecturers will focus on key areas that contribute to achieving the SDGs, and it will become clearer how EMÜ contributes to the national strategy "Sustainable Estonia 21" and the implementation of Estonia's sustainable development goals.

In 2025, a comprehensive mapping and analysis of the SDGs at the university will be carried out. Specific goals and actions will be established, and opportunities for cooperation with other universities will be explored, including involvement in various networks and programs.

The working group is led by Elis Vollmer and includes Sille Rebane, Katrin Kepp, Sirli Pehme, Kalev Sepp, and Ina Järve.

Green University Strategy of the Estonian University of Life Sciences until 2025

The sectoral strategy has been adopted in accordance with point 26.1.4 of the Statutes of the Estonian University of Life Sciences and point 5 of the Development Plan of the Estonian University of Life Sciences until 2025.

The Green University Strategy of the Estonian University of Life Sciences until 2025 is aligned with the university’s vision and mission. The strategy is based on the principles of sustainable development, which involve the long-term harmonious development of the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments, with the aim of ensuring a high quality of life and a safe and clean living environment for both present and future generations.

The Estonian University of Life Sciences is responsible for research and development in the sustainable use of natural resources and in areas related to rural life and the rural economy. The university aims to be an organization that supports the core activities of its community and provides a modern and attractive learning and working environment.

The Estonian University of Life Sciences, as a Green University, focuses its research, development, and teaching activities on the following areas that support sustainable development:

• environmentally friendly and energy-conscious operations;
• healthy and safe food;
• sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic environmental resources;
• protection of biodiversity, semi-natural communities and heritage/traditional landscapes;
• methods and principles of sustainable living environment planning;
• ecological building technologies and materials;
• environmental economics;
• environmentally friendly waste management;
• sustainability awareness and education.

The principles and lines of action of Green University:

The objectives of Green University are in compliance with the Development Plan of the Estonian University of Life Sciences until 2025.

1. Research and development

Objective: Promote sustainable development through research and development.

Activities:

- Research and development activities related to environment and sustainable development;

- Cooperation with the private and public sector.

Expected outcomes: EMÜ is the centre of excellence for sustainable development.

Indicators:

- Number of research and development projects in the fields of green university and their financial volume.

2. Teaching

Objective: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into teaching and learning outcomes.

Activities:

- Teaching and developing the specialities related to the sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development;

- Teaching and developing courses related to the sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development in all curricula;

- Launching and conducting practical and cross-sectoral projects focusing on the issues of sustainable development.

Expected outcomes: Highly-valued university education and graduates that are in demand on the labour market and who understand the relevance of sustainable development and can apply these principles in their professional life.

Indicators:

- Number of graduates in the specialities related to the sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development across the curricula;

- Student feedback on the courses concentrating on sustainable development (courses selected by students);

- Number of Master's theses related to the focus areas of Green University;

- Number of doctoral theses related to the focus areas of Green University;

- Graduates’ assessment of increased sustainability awareness upon graduation.

3. Members of the University Community

Objective: Raise the University members’ awareness of the principles of Green University.

Activities:

- Systematic training of the students and staff in the areas of sustainable development so that they would be motivated to practice the principles of sustainability in their day-to-day life;

- More active involvement of the University members in the implementation of new initiatives and in-house projects;

- Recognition of active students and staff.

Expected outcomes: Evolving and motivated University community following the principles of sustainable development.

Indicators:

- Number of events and participants involved in sustainable development per year;

- Number of members in the student associations in the focus areas of Green University.

4. University reputation and its contribution to society

Objective: Increase environmental awareness of society and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Activities:

- Serve as an example and disseminate knowledge about sustainable development;

- Mediate the results of research and development activities related to sustainable development;

- Increase environmental awareness and promote cooperation with enterprises.

Expected outcomes: Knowledge and experience of the sustainability efforts of the University are communicated to society and put into practice, environmentally responsible behaviour has improved.

Indicators:

- Number of events and participants involved in sustainability-related activities organised by the students;

- Major public events and number of participants in the sustainability-related activities organised by the structural units of the University;

- Number of participants and number of courses organized in the focus area of Green University;

- Information materials and popular science articles published in the focus areas of Green University (topics, number of copies);

- Visibility of the Green University image in the University reputation research.

5. Organization - a contemporary learning and working environment

Objective: Create a healthy and attractive learning, working and recreation environment in keeping with principles of reducing the ecological footprint.

Activities:

- Engage with the Tartu City Government in increasing the connectivity of the Tähtvere campus to the other part of Tartu with a view to facilitate environmentally-friendly means of traffic;

- Develop campus infrastructure and green areas, taking into account the needs of the University community and the green principles of the University;

- Develop and introduce environmentally friendly campus management plans (including waste management plan, green area maintenance plan, guidelines for green procurement, etc.).

Expected outcomes: The environment-friendly management principles introduced in Tähtvere campus contribute to the reduction of the ecological footprint of the University.

Indicators:

- Electricity and heat consumption in Tähtvere campus, MWh/a;

- Fuel consumption of University cars, litres/ year, (based on fuel cards);

- Water consumption in the campus, m³/ year;

- Waste generation in the campus and the disposal of wastes, including recovery method, tons/ year;

- Paper consumption at the University, pages/ year;

- Campus car parking occupancy rate, (number of parking spots, occupancy rate, University average);

- Campus bicycle parking occupancy rate, (number of parking spots, occupancy rate, University average);

- Occupancy rate of lecture halls /study laboratories per day on average (h, based on ÕIS);

- Proportion of green procurements from all procurements;

- Compliance of the working environment with the standards.

¹ Public Procurement Act (RT I 2007, 15, 76). § 3, paragraph 6.

Implementation of the strategy

In compliance with the Development Plan of the University and the Green University Strategy, the Green University working group formed by the order of the Rector of the University, will draw up an Action Plan for the whole year, which lists the actions at the University and Institute levels and appoints the persons responsible for the activities. The Council of the University monitors the attainment of the objectives of the Green University strategy together with checking the realization of the Action Plan to the Development Plan of the University at least once a year.

Vice-Rector of Research coordinates the achievement of the objectives set in the Strategy. The implementation of the Green University Strategy is discussed at the University Council at least once every two years.

6. Provisions for the implementation of the Strategy

6.1. The order of the Estonian University of Life Sciences of 24.03.2011, No 2 "Green University Strategy of Eesti Maaülikool until 2015" is hereby repealed.

6.2. This Regulation shall enter into force upon the date of its notification.

A guide for organisers and participants of environmentally friendly events

Organising events necessitates the use of resources and has an environmental impact. Here, you will find requirements (noted with ‘NB!’) that are based on the University’s green initiative, as well as recommendations that are in line with the Guidelines for Organising Environmentally Friendly Eventslink opens in new page in Tartu (in Estonian).

• Paper usage. Opt for electronic materials (publications, advertisements, invitations, etc.) Whenever possible, use double-sided printing with black and white inks made from natural oils and resins. Choose paper that has an eco-certificate, FSC or PEFC label or is recycled.
• Giveaways. Give priority to local practical things, such as food, that have an organic or eco-label. Carefully evaluate the necessity and quantity of giveaways. Avoid single-use products and packaging.
• Decorations and promotion materials Make and and commission decorations and promotion materials (such as roll-up banners) out of  long-lasting and recyclable materials. Re-use everything you can (e.g. decorations, plastic conference badges and lanyards).
• NB! All dinnerware, drinkware and utensils must be reusable.
• Food and drink. Choose tap water over bottled water, and ensure there is an opportunity for individuals to refill their own water bottles. Opt for local and/or seasonal and/or organic and/or Fairtradelink opens in new page products. Have at least one vegan meal on the menu.  Avoid packaged products. For larger consumption needs, consider choosing bulk packaging, such as loose sugar instead of lump sugar, and larger containers for coffee cream or milk instead of small individual packages. For an international event place multilingual labels by the food, this helps to prevent food wastage. When ordering catering, ask about what is served and how, and what is done with the leftovers.
  • Avoid throwing away leftover food – pack it up for employees, students and attendees to take with them. If you wish to donate leftover food to the food-sharing cabinet at the Torn Hostel, call board member Roland at +372 5877 5857 or development coordinator Kaare at +372 512 0526.
  • Someone will come to pick up the food within approximately 30 minutes.
  • Packaging is provided by the Torn Hostel, and when possible, reusable and environmentally friendly packaging materials are preferred.
  • Anyone is welcome to leave food in the food-sharing cabinet. When leaving food, please make sure it is still safe to eat. Ensure any opened packaging is securely closed to prevent spillage. If the food is not in its original packaging, label it with its contents and, if possible, the date it was prepared.
• Waste management. Prevent and decrease waste production.

NB! Waste must be collected by type: paper and cardboard; plastic, metal and beverage carton; mixed waste; glass packaging. Temporary bins and waste bag frames must have waste pictograms, for international events the labels have to be multilingual. The event organiser must arrange the transport of waste collected in the temporary bins.

We recommend placing waste sorting guides by the collection bins. See also the waste sorting guide of the University “Eesti Maaülikooli jäätmekäitlusjuhend” (in Estonian).

• Transportation. Offer attendees recommendations for arriving at the event with a small transportation footprint: refer to the buslink opens in new page- and trainlink opens in new pageconnections on the city’slink opens in new page and university’s websitelink opens in new page, provide information about cycling opportunities on campus.
• Digital footprint. Upload the presentation materials on-line and share the link with participants. Use WiFi and switch off mobile data, this reduces the energy consumption of the device by half. When there is a break during an on-line event, switch your computer to sleep mode. Review the digital materials post-event and remove any unnecessary content. If you captured photos or videos of the event and wish to share them, upload them online and share the link. Annually review and delete unnecessary digital materials stored on your devices and in the cloud.

Off campus

• Notify participants about the availability of public transportation and about the feasibility and available routes for walking or cycling to the event. Consider hiring a bus for transporting the participants.
• Inquire about the environmental sustainability practices of the accommodation provider. Favour establishments with the international Green Keylink opens in new page eco-label.
• Use a permanent electrical connection as a power source instead of a temporary generator.
• Prefer energy-efficient equipment.
• Ensure the location remains in an equally good condition as it was before the event.  Rectify any damage done to the landscape.

Environmental guides and documents

• Forward to the partners and vendors in writing prior to signing cooperation agreements;
• Make publicly available prior and during the event; explain the environmental rules to the participants and vendors on site using signs and guides, in several languages if necessary;
• Display the Green University logo of EMÜ on them.

The first environmental report was compiled in 2016 as part of a project funded by the Environmental Investment Centre (KIK). Subsequent environmental reports have largely used the same methodology, which allows for the presentation of some data in a comparative format. This makes it possible to observe trends in four-year intervals. The methodology of the report is based on the current Green University Strategy of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) and the requirements of the international Green Metric ranking.

No additional environmental reports in exactly the same format will be produced in the future.

Currently, a methodology based on the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is being developed. For each goal, specific metrics and indicators are being created to measure progress. The aim of SDG reporting is to ensure transparency within the organization while implementing practical solutions to achieve sustainable development at the university.

Statute of the “Green Step” Award

The “Green Step” award competition has been organized since 2023, with the aim of recognizing the activities of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) that align with the strategic principles of the Green University.

Past winners are listed here.link opens in new page

For 2025, the competition deadline is October 1.

I. General Provisions
1. This statute establishes the organization of the “Green Step” award competition by the Estonian University of Life Sciences (hereinafter “the University”), the conditions for participation, and the award selection procedure.

2. The purpose of the “Green Step” award is to recognize actions that align with the strategic principles of EMÜ’s Green University.

II. Organization of the Competition
3. The competition is organized by the Head of the Green University Strategy in cooperation with the Green University Working Group (hereinafter: “the Working Group”).

4. The competition is held once a year, announced by the Rector via official directive on the proposal of the Working Group. The announcement is published through the University’s information channels by the Head of the Green University Strategy.

5. Entry Conditions:
 5.1. Proposals for the “Green Step” award may be submitted by University employees, students, members of University decision-making bodies, and the Alumni Association Board.
 5.2. Nominations may recognize:
    5.2.1. individuals, working groups, organizations;
    5.2.2. University staff, students, cooperation partners, or activities by University units;
    5.2.3. non-University green mindset–promoting activities linked to the University’s field of work.
5.3. Nominees may use the criteria listed in Section 7 to ensure the proposal aligns with the spirit of the “Green Step” award.

6. Proposals must be submitted electronically to the Head of the Green University Strategy, using the subject line “Green Step,” and include a justification of up to 3,000 characters.

III. Evaluation of Proposals
7. The Working Group evaluates proposals according to the following criteria:
 7.1. Alignment with the strategic objectives of EMÜ’s Green University initiative;
 7.1.1. a single action/initiative or a series of related actions;
 7.1.2. activity must have occurred within 12 months prior to the announcement of the competition;
 7.1.3. environmental friendliness of the activity;
 7.1.4. novelty/innovative approach;
 7.1.5. connection to circular bioeconomy principles;
 7.1.6. use of green technologies, including renewable energy solutions;
 7.1.7. contribution to sustainable development.

8. If a proposal involves a member of the Working Group, that member will not participate in evaluation or decision-making.

9. The Working Group decides on the award by a simple majority. In the event of a tie, the Rector’s vote is decisive.

10. No award will be given if submitted proposals do not meet the criteria in Sections 5.2 and 7. The Working Group is not required to justify its decision.

11. The Working Group may publish the nominees and the winner.

IV. The Award
12. The award is decided by the Rector together with the Working Group.

13. The winner is confirmed by Rector’s directive.

14. The winner is announced at the academic ceremony.

V. Implementation
15. This directive enters into force upon publication.