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Description
This study compares the efforts of Austrian universities, universities of applied sciences, and university colleges of teacher education regarding sustainability, climate change resilience, and the green energy transition. All investigated institutions demonstrate efforts to achieve sustainability. Further criteria of this analysis include the existence of a plan to achieve carbon neutrality, as well as the publication of specific goals and the implementation of periodic audits. The Federal Real Estate Company (BIG), the owner of public university buildings in Austria, was also included in this analysis.
Both the University of Graz and Graz University of Technology are among the leading institutions in Austria, as they have defined roadmaps with specific goals to be achieved. The University of Graz aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 68% by 2030 and to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2040. Graz University of Technology has set the goal of achieving climate-neutral operations by 2030, including the exclusive use of sustainable and regionally sourced electricity.
The universities in Graz serve as an example for other Austrian and European institutions. The publication of sustainability goals not only conveys the importance of this endeavor to the general public but also ensures a continued focus on further improvements and their long-term benefits.