University of Sopron, Hungary

Climate+ hat-trick footsteps towards a sustainable future

The University of Sopron is a “Green University”, located in Sopron, Hungary. Sustainability is embedded in the focus of its educational, research and third mission activities. It aims to achieve its milestones by communicating the message of net-zero climate neutrality, climate positivity and environmental awareness, and by actively involving university students and the public.

In the areas of Scope 1, 2, 3, it aims to make good practices available to other institutions. In the process of becoming climate positive, it is implementing a "hat-trick": by calculating its organisational carbon footprint annually (1), it is effectively planning its scheduled emission reduction improvements (2) and its carbon capture based on natural solutions (3). In the latter case, the creation of the Loyalty Forest, where the University plants a tree every year for each newly enrolled student, is a key element of a complex landscaping project.

Annual carbon savings achieved with the initiative:
CO2t savings 2020/2021: 325 CO2t (Actual)
CO2t savings 2021/2022: approx.. 360 CO2t (Estimated)
CO2t savings over the life cycle of the project: approx. 41,125 CO2t/50 years

What the Judges Thought

The project is aligned to the strategic aim of the University; it also demonstrates first mover ambitions which subsequently provides leadership for others. The project demonstrates partnerships with the wider town.  

What it Means to Win

“Winning this Award confirms that the University of Sopron is fulfilling its role as a Green University, through its students and research, in promoting the principles of sustainability and developing institutional solutions for sustainability.”

Professor Doctor Attila Fábián, Rector

Top 3 Learnings

1. Net-zero carbon neutrality at the university level will help to implement the European Green Deal.
2. By communicating the message of environmental awareness and actively involving students and the public, we can achieve sustainability.
3. Social responsibility, awareness raising and strengthening the link between man and nature, are key to achieving sustainability objectives.