BUT on the road to sustainability. Developing a strategy and calculating its emissions footprint

Brno University of Technology (BUT) is systematically working to integrate sustainability principles into education, research, creative activities, and university operations. It also acknowledges its social role in this context. Currently, in collaboration with the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Czech Republic, BUT is preparing a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy. This strategy is part of the project "Acceleration of Green Skills and Sustainability at BUT," supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT), and is scheduled for implementation by the end of 2024.

Environmental conditions on Earth are changing in an unfavorable direction for humanity. These changes have been and continue to be driven by energy-intensive industrial sectors and technologies, particularly those based on the use of fossil fuels. One hope for reversing this trend lies in innovations based on new technologies. As a leading educational institution and recognized authority in education, research, development, and creative activities with a focus on practical application, BUT educates technical experts and innovators. The University is aware of its role and accepts its responsibility to build a sustainable future.

Each year, more than 4,000 graduates in technical, artistic, and economic fields leave Brno University of Technology. Along with graduates from other universities, they will significantly contribute to addressing sustainability challenges.

Therefore, it is essential for BUT to position itself as a sustainable university with an environmental mindset. This goal is supported by the mentioned project, endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MŠMT). "The BUT Sustainability Strategy, which is part of the project, focuses on two practical objectives: calculating the carbon footprint in the greatest possible detail and designing a sustainability strategy through comprehensive planning and institutionalizing sustainability within the university," explained Kateřina Myslivcová, coordinator of the BUT sustainability process.

Several workshops have already been held in collaboration with the project's partner, involving faculty leadership representatives and university experts. The conclusions from these workshops serve as a foundation for both the analytical and proposal phases of the sustainability strategy. The first outcome of this collaboration is an analytical report. It maps the university's sustainability activities and includes an analysis of the external environment, as well as strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

"In the context of the Czech university environment, this is a unique collaboration. There are still not many strategic projects focused on sustainability. Within this project, we are aligning technical conditions, university management, and the engagement level of students and staff in sustainability. Ultimately, this collaboration should also make studying and working at BUT more attractive, thereby enhancing the university's brand value. This is significant not only for current students and staff but also for communication with prospective applicants," added Lucie Martincová, project manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Related: Project - Acceleration of Green Skills and Sustainability at BUT in Brno

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