BUT has a new sustainability strategy and a tool for calculating the carbon footprint

Brno University of Technology is responding to the challenges associated with climate change. Entering 2025, it introduces a comprehensive strategy not only for the sustainability of daily operations but also for long-term planning and development. The Sustainability Strategy of BUT outlines specific goals, steps, and monitoring tools, considering both the present and future needs of BUT as a sustainable university. The strategy was developed as part of the project Acceleration of Green Skills and Sustainability at BUT, supported by the National Recovery Plan.

“As a leading technical university in the Czech Republic, we take responsibility for a sustainable future. We consider environmental and climate protection essential not only for ensuring quality of life but also as a significant technological challenge. Who else but a technical university should bring effective technical solutions and nature-friendly technologies?” said BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček, continuing:

“The sustainability strategy, during its preparation, allowed us to focus the potential we have at the university in terms of knowledge and technologies, which contribute to finding and implementing environmental solutions. We do not want to succumb to formal and ideological challenges or calculate the marketing impact of our efforts. Instead, we aim to genuinely and responsibly engage in technologies that protect nature and the climate. We believe that their importance and application will grow in the future. As engineers, we are well aware of which solutions work and which are currently not economically viable or applicable on a large scale. But we keep searching and believing. And these are precisely the challenges of discovery and technological development that attract us.”

The Development and Goals of the Strategy

The strategy is designed as a comprehensive framework that integrates sustainability principles across all aspects of university operations and focuses on four key areas: education; research and creative activities; societal role; and university governance and management. “For each area, visions, strategic goals, and key actions have been defined to address both current and future university needs, aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Milan Houser, Vice-Rector for Artistic Activities and Sustainability at BUT.

“The document was developed during the fall of 2024, when we conducted regular workshops at BUT with representatives from faculties, departments, and the rector’s office. This provided the foundation for the analytical and proposal parts of the strategy. In addition, we pursued another goal – establishing a methodology for measuring the carbon footprint. BUT now has guidelines for an annual emissions footprint calculation in accordance with the international GHG Protocol standard,” explained Kateřina Myslivcová, Sustainability Coordinator at BUT.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) - an initiative for the global standardization of greenhouse gas emissions, categorizing them into three scopes: direct emissions, e.g., fuel combustion in boilers or vehicles; indirect emissions, e.g., electricity and heat consumption; and other indirect emissions, related to student and staff transportation, waste management, and procurement of materials and services.

The strategy also includes action plans, a communication concept, and tools for monitoring progress. The university aims to achieve short-term goals by 2025, mid-term goals by 2030, and a long-term vision extending to 2040. “The implementation of the strategic document will be regularly monitored and updated as needed to reflect new challenges and opportunities in sustainability,” added Myslivcová.

In 2023, BUT’s activities generated a total of 19,032 tons of CO2e emissions. Analysis across different areas shows that the largest source of emissions is the university’s energy consumption required for the operation of its facilities. The total consumption of electricity, natural gas, and heating/cooling accounts for 90% of all university-generated emissions.

The full press release is available in Czech laguage in the For Media section and on the ZVUT website.

The Sustainability Strategy of BUT in Czech laguage is publicly available at: vut.cz/udrzitelnost



The BUT Sustainability Strategy was developed with the support of the National Recovery Plan as part of the project Acceleration of Green Skills and Sustainability at BUT – registration number: NPO_VUT_MSMT-2143/2024-5