Artevelde UAS aims for zero emissions by 2050
8/01/2025
With an ambitious climate plan that was signed by lecturers, students and board members, Artevelde UAS is striving for zero emissions by 2050. The commitment declaration focuses on mobility, energy and food. We will be able to see the first results in 2027.
More than 75 % of Belgians report being very concerned about climate change. And with good reason: an average temperature rise of more than 1.5 C has a serious impact on the quality of life of humans and animals on our planet. With a scientifically substantiated climate plan, Artevelde UAS wants to help fight this. The eventual goal: climate neutrality by 2050, with zero CO2-emissions.
'From our carbon footprint-calculation in 2019, we know that Artevelde UAS emits 13,000 tonnes of CO2 annually', says Elena Lievens, Sustainability Policy Officer. 'No less than 78 % of it comes from mobility, and that includes commuter traffic as well as study trips by students and staff. About 14 % is caused by our energy consumption, and catering is responsible for 6 %. To compare: waste, a rather visible problem, covers 'only' 2 % of our emissions.'
No stone is left unturned
That is the reason why the climate plan zooms in on the three main sources of emissions. 'If we want to reduce our CO2-emissions, we must make it our priority to tackle mobility, energy and food', says Lievens. 'There are no taboos and no stone is left unturned. Is that study trip to San Francisco a must? If the answer is 'yes', then we should compensate our emissions. By 2027, we also want to make use of public transport for all international travels of staff that take less than 8 hours.'
The Artevelde UAS campuses must be fully equipped with LED lighting by 2027. There will also be investments to make the buildings more energy-efficient. 'We have plans to build our new Campus Dok Zuid, so at that moment, we will have to adjust our climate ambitions, but we are putting in a lot of effort there as well. For instance, we will use low-carbon raw materials, and the project will be a sustainable passive building.'
Only plant-based food
What concerns catering for staff, we intend to switch entirely to plant-based alternatives – think of sandwiches for lunch and receptions at events. 'There is a lot of support for this', says Lievens. 'And to be clear: students and staff will still be able to choose meat. Via the Green Deal ‘Protein Shift on Our Plate’, we commit to have 40 % animal protein and 60 % plant protein on our menu.'
The commitment declaration will be implemented in stages. 'the first cycle of measures is for 2027, when we will also start a continuous monitoring of our emissions. On that basis, new actions will be formulated for 2030, with the ambition to emit 47 % less CO2 when compared with 2019.' That is in accordance with the Belgian objective. The third and final wave of actions must lead Artevelde UAS to zero emission by 2050.
The elephants in the room
To strengthen the launch of the climate plan, there are 'three elephants in the room' in the main entrance hall of Campus Kantienberg. They refer to the sources of emissions that Artevelde UAS wants to tackle with priority: mobility, energy and food. The cardboard animals were designed and created by packaging expert, Bart Calis, and students in Print Media Technology, an optional track in Graphic and Digital Media.
Students are also otherwise involved. They will for instance further develop the communication and awareness campaigns, and the student reps will work on mobility and food.
