Climate Action Plan (2023-2030)
Developing a comprehensive climate action plan is crucial for addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Baku State University (BSU) is embarking on a journey of minimizing its impact on the environment BSU is committed to achieving the ambitious target of Carbon Neutrality by 2030. Our first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP) details BSU’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) and establishes the framework for achieving this overarching vision. In this document, we provide our plans for achieving BSU’s goals, and discuss BSU’s GHG inventory.
We’re Becoming More Efficient
Baku State University is committed to sustainability and has established a carbon reduction strategy aligned with global climate goals. BSU has set a target to reduce Scope 1 (direct emissions from university-owned sources) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) emissions by 2030.
To achieve this target, the university has implemented several initiatives, including:
Energy Efficiency Improvements: Upgrading infrastructure to enhance energy efficiency, such as modernizing heating, cooling, and lighting systems.
Renewable Energy Integration: Exploring opportunities to incorporate renewable energy sources into campus operations.
Sustainable Procurement: Prioritizing low-carbon and energy-efficient products in procurement policies.
Waste and Water Management: Implementing the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) strategy to minimize carbon-intensive waste disposal.
Stakeholder Engagement: Raising awareness and encouraging participation among students, faculty, and staff to foster a culture of sustainability.
BSU's commitment to reducing carbon emissions aligns with the university’s membership in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The university continues to monitor progress through annual sustainability reporting and remains open to partnerships that enhance its carbon reduction efforts.
The majority of BSU’s emissions come from buildings. This is one of the main reasons that we’re focused on reducing building energy use and chilled water consumption. BSU has committed to identifying, planning, prioritizing, and implementing efficiency projects across campus that will enhance our campus buildings' operations, minimize energy and water use, and improve occupants’ health and performance on campus.
We’re Aligned
Baku State University is committed to sustainability and has publicly pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. This commitment aligns with global climate targets and the principles set forth by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action).
BSU's net-zero strategy focuses on:
Reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions through energy efficiency measures, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable infrastructure improvements.
Exploring carbon offset initiatives and collaborations with local and international partners to minimize the university’s environmental impact.
Enhancing sustainability reporting and transparency by monitoring emissions and implementing data-driven policies to achieve long-term sustainability goals.
In the run-up to the Paris Agreement, Azerbaijan submitted its Nationally Defined Contributions (NDC) and as a contribution to global climate change prevention initiatives committed to achieving a 35 percent reduction in the GHG level by 2030 compared to the 2021 base year. This entails significant investments in renewable energy and makes it one of the first countries in the region to launch a concrete initiative to achieve that climate commitment. BSU is aligned with this strategic initiative and is actively engaged in exploring opportunities concerning enhanced building energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy sources. BSU has recently initiated a comprehensive audit process aimed at assessing the feasibility of achieving carbon neutrality for its campus. This audit entails a meticulous evaluation of the economic viability, regulatory compliance, and operational feasibility of these prospects, while concurrently addressing the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental considerations.
We’re Leading the Way
In alignment with BSU’s broader vision, BSU aims to become a leading institution in sustainability in the region through actions aimed at achieving the Carbon Neutrality Goal
For more details please see: Climate Action Plan (2023-2030)
