What Should Be Done for a Sustainable University Campus?

The concept of sustainability is becoming more critical due to global warming, climate change, scarcity of energy supplies, and economic difficulties. Sustainability is described as the uninterrupted transmission of current ecological, social, and economic circumstances to future generations. Sustainable Campuses are environmentally friendly places that strive to reduce negative environmental, social, and economic repercussions while conducting their activities. When looking at institutions that want to build sustainable campuses around the world, the following significant issues need to be addressed:

• Waste management and recycling

o All wastes should be separated into types, collected, and sent to be recycled. Particular attention is paid to avoiding the usage of single-use plastics. Universities are experimenting with using food and coffee waste as fertilizer.

• Energy and water use

o Renewable energy sources must be used to meet electricity, water, and heating needs, and existing resources must be used as efficiently as possible. Building insulation must be improved, boilers must be replaced, solar panels must be installed, rainwater must be stored and reused, consumption must be monitored through meters, and intelligent technology must be used to minimize power, water, and heating/cooling expenses. The conversion of all lighting systems to LED is the first move done by all universities to reduce electricity consumption.

• Transportation services

o Bicycles and walking should be encouraged as much as possible among staff and students. Again, free or cheap public transit should be made available to staff and students.

• Sustainable construction

o Environmentally friendly and long-lasting materials should be used in new structures. Buildings should be designed to receive the most sunlight. Standards such as the BREEAM environmental assessment method should be considered.

• Sustainable laboratories

o Consumptions of energy and consumables should be limited in laboratories, which are one of the areas where they are made. Measures such as paying attention to recycling and using newer technologies to reduce energy use should be taken.

• Food and beverage services

o Vegan and vegetarian diets are encouraged by universities on campus, with the belief that the environmental implications of eating meat and dairy products are too significant. In cafeterias, vegetable dishes are provided instead of meat and dairy items, and vegetable-based products are sold. Universities pay close attention to obtaining food supplies from the local community, and farmers whose goods are grown naturally and do not affect the environment are preferred.

• Biodiversity

o In specific locations of university campuses, tree planting should be done on a regular basis, and green areas should be expanded. Various projects, such as creating bird nests and hanging them from trees, should also be carried out so that animals can live comfortably.

• Use of technology

o University technical equipment replacement periods should be extended, and device replacement should be done as infrequently as possible. It should be assured that as little e-mail as possible is sent and that unnecessary online searches are avoided. People should be encouraged to use Wi-Fi rather than cell networks to access the Internet.

• Education

o Climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability should be included in curriculums, with the goal of raising awareness of these concerns through courses, training, and internship opportunities.

Oxford University is one of the world’s leading major universities in the field of sustainable and green campus development. Oxford University has a very comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The university tries to encourage people to work on environmental sustainability by funding research on the subject. The university curriculum has been designed to include courses, training, and internship opportunities in the disciplines of climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability to raise awareness about these issues among students. The university has also taken measures to address these issues because the consumed power and gas account for a significant proportion of carbon emissions. Studies such as improving building insulation and generating electricity with solar panels are being conducted in an attempt to reduce energy use. It has been decided that more vegan and vegetarian components should be used in university cafeteria meals and cafeteria goods. The use of bottled water is also reduced. Another goal of the university is to lessen the harmful effects of consumption and supply chains on the environment. Laboratory consumables are one of the most significant areas where the supply chain is damaging the environment. As a result, efforts are being undertaken to decrease and recycle as much as possible the consumables utilized. Disposable products are avoided to the greatest extent practicable. Studies are being conducted on transportation, such as encouraging employees to work remotely, building an extensive bicycle route network, utilizing public transportation, and encouraging walking.

Many universities work on these issues, such as the University of Oxford. The concept of sustainability should be well understood to establish a better future, and it should be an area in which every university works.