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UCPH integrates sustainability into construction, maintenance, and the management of its nearly 1,000,000 m2. One of the main initiatives, defined in the master plan for the building area, is to reduce the number of square meters by making better use of buildings and facilities and by incorporating sustainability into campus planning.

Other important initiatives include integrating sustainability requirements into the university’s large portfolio of maintenance projects, along with improving the energy efficiency of both buildings and operations.

In UCPH's canteens, increasingly climate-friendly and plant-based meals are offered, with a strong focus on organic food, food waste reduction, and the use of seasonal local ingredients.

The laboratories account for a significant share of the UCPH’s climate and sustainability footprint. The university is working to increase the sharing of equipment and facilities in order to reduce procurement and thereby its climate impact. In addition, there is a strong focus on integrating sustainability requirements into the purchase of equipment, consumables, and chemicals.

A large number of UCPH's laboratories participate in the LEAF sustainability certification, which provides a solid framework for local initiatives in the labs.

UCPH has extensive international collaborations and travel activity, so flights accounts for about one tenth of the university’s total climate footprint. To ensure local discussions of travel needs and initiatives, all departments and other units at the university have set their own goals for 2030 for how much they want to reduce their climate footprint from flights. Most units have in that regard prepared their own guidelines for climate friendly travel practices. The university also focuses on making train booking easier and supporting the use of virtual meetings as an alternative to travel.

Locally the university is in the process of converting service vehicles to zero emission vehicles. Bicycle transport is prioritised with good facilities, and in many places staff can borrow bicycles for local transport.

Procurement makes up a significant part of the university’s climate footprint and environmental impact. The university is working to reduce its climate footprint and resource use by extending the lifespan of products, promoting reuse, and reducing the need for new purchases.

We work to integrate sustainability requirements into the university’s procurement agreements so that purchases support both climate and environmental considerations as far as possible while also taking into account the needs of staff and students and the possibilities of the market.

The climate footprint and resource use of the IT area are increasing, driven mainly by greater digitalisation, data driven research projects, and a growing need for data storage.

UCPH works with sustainability throughout the entire life cycle of IT equipment from procurement to operation and disposal with a focus on minimising new purchases, optimising the use of resources, and ensuring environmentally responsible recycling or disposal of equipment that has reached the end of its life.

The university has ensured good possibilities for increased recycling with expanded waste sorting options throughout the campus, and we are working on continued improvements to waste sorting and on providing support for staff and students. The LEAF certification scheme contributes to laboratories maintaining a daily focus on waste sorting.

To reduce the use of resources and prevent waste from arising, the university is working to strengthen circular solutions, repair, longer product lifetimes, and reuse for areas such as furnishings, IT, and buildings. A number of initiatives that reduce the use of resources also typically help lower the climate and biodiversity footprint.