GHG Action Plan 2022
This report contains UTM’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 2022 with the following considerations: • It includes emissions from the activities of the UTM (ENIT, FST,…) • The greenhouse gases considered are CO2. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements established in the GHG Corporate Standard and respects the GHG accounting and reporting principles (Relevance, Completeness, Consistency, Transparency, Accuracy) Organizational Boundaries: The consolidation of GHG emissions at UTM is tackled from an operational control approach. The data included within the scope of the GHG inventory corresponds to the universities of the UTM campus, which includes (FST,enit..). Operational Boundaries The report considers only CO2 emissions. Emissions from other GHG sources (SF6, CH4, N2 O, CFC, NF3) are not considered, as they are not relevant to the UTM activities. UTM defines the scope of its direct and indirect emissions for operations undertaken within the organizational limits.
Scope 1: Direct GHG Emissions
Direct GHG emissions from GHG sources owned or controlled by the organization. • Stationary combustion emissions: Emissions from “heating, Labs, canteen” by combustion of natural gas. • Mobile combustion emissions: Emissions from mobile combustion, associated with fuel consumption in transport equipment under the operational control of the UTM, we consider vehicles and buses owned by the UTM.
Scope 2: Electricity Indirect GHG Emissions Scope 2 accounts for GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by the organization. Scope 3: Other Indirect GHG Emissions Scope 3.5: Emissions associated with business travel. Scope 3.6: Emissions associated with wastewater treatment (emissions from the treatment of other generated waste are not considered because currently, they are not relevant to the organization’s operations) Scope 3.7: Emissions associated with commuting (staff and students transport from the UTM to their residence) Exclusions Other scope 3 categories are not included in the GHG Action Plan as there are not relevant to the organization’s activities and emissions for these categories are insignificant compared to the total emissions. Baseline Year The base year for UTM’s GHG inventory is “2016”.This year is an accurate reference year in terms of data availability and quality. Our activities are not influenced by major events like COVID-19. 2022 GHG Inventory The tables below present a detailed breakdown of UTM’s carbon footprint, categorized by scope, allowing us to effectively target carbon reduction. Our proposed four Work Streams – Energy & Water, Travel & Transportation, Commuting, and Waste – are aligned with relative milestone targets for 2026, 2030, and 2050. Recognizing the significant impact of pandemic measures on emissions in 2020 and 2021, we remain flexible in adapting our strategies.
Carbon Emissions Target
Aligned with the Tunisian government’s commitment, our Board of Governors has set strategic monitoring indicators to achieve Carbon Net Zero. Our targeted timelines are Scope 1 by 2026, Scope 2 by 2036, and Scope 3 by 2050. As part of our Carbon Net Zero roadmap, we re-baselined the University’s total carbon emissions in 2016, considering Scopes 1, 2, and 3. We aim to achieve a 29% reduction against this new baseline over a seven-year period, with an initial annual target reduction of 6% prior to the pandemic. Due to pandemic impacts, we have recalibrated our target to 10-25% reduction. Actions toward net zero target At UTM, our commitment to sustainability is evident through diligent recording and public disclosure of Scope 1&2 emissions since 2016 and Scope 3 emissions since 2010, in accordance with Tunisian government data on a per capita basis. Our Net Zero Carbon Roadmap focuses on areas directly under our operational control, ensuring accurate measurement and encompassing the full impact of our carbon emissions. Our approach is to reduce Scope 1+2 emissions by implementing several projects and proactively reporting on Scope 3 emissions. The invaluable support from the MedEcoSure project https://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/med-ecosure , funded by the European Commission enables us to consistently report on Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions, enabling comprehensive efforts to address our carbon footprint. This holistic approach allows us to identify opportunities and allocate resources more effectively towards impactful carbon reduction measures. In fact, our pandemic experience has served as a learning opportunity, leading us to implement numerous good practice measures. These include remote working, optimizing university closures during holidays, enhancing green spaces, and collaborating with civil society organizations to implement ecological construction tips. Such adaptive measures have propelled us closer to our Carbon Net Zero objective. http://www.utm.rnu.tn/utm/fr/universite–dev-dure Equipping our community with essential carbon knowledge and establishing dedicated Work Streams is key to developing and implementing specific carbon reduction plans. Our workforce consists of staff ambassadors from both academic and professional services sectors at UTM. http://www.utm.rnu.tn/utm/documents/Sustainable-Development-Report-2022.pdf Additionally, we highly value student involvement, relying on our student sustainability society and clubs, including Enactus, Google Development Clubs, and Sustainable Development & Eco-technology whose active engagement amplifies the impact of our Carbon Reduction project http://www.utm.rnu.tn/utm/fr/vie-etudiante–odd-clubs Moreover, engaging the entire University community is vital in achieving our ambitious goals. For this purpose, we have devised a new university governance framework, contingent on the successful execution of the UTM PAQ GAGE project. This project involves the creation and publication of policies and action plans, building upon the visionary University Green Campus and open Leisure Space designed by Prof. Noamen Rebai in collaboration with GDA Sidi Amor https://sidiamor.org/ . The project consists of creating a cultural, social, and sportive complex taking into consideration the use of renewable energy and green buildings technologies during the study of the project “link”
Continuous Improvement
Taking responsibility for continuous action, we are committed to updating plans within our respective areas to achieve milestones in line with overarching targets. Resource assessments prioritize projects like solar energy and wind turbines that generate significant carbon savings. The Action Plan, developed by Professor Noamen Rebai in 2021, outlines predicted and targeted carbon savings, investment plans, and policies. Guided by our Sustainability Committee, action plans are harmonized with the university’s broader vision and other strategic initiatives like EcoCampus. Close collaboration with the university’s investment program ensures continuous development and enhancement of our sustainability efforts, while regular reporting of progress towards Carbon Net Zero keeps the University Governing Team informed. Moreover, as active members or partners of international sustainability networks, we reaffirm our commitment to global environmental initiatives, seeking to contribute positively to the planet and society. Our university is an active member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and has recently become a member of the International Universities Climate Alliance and The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) through a researcher at the Borj Cedria Research Centre, Tunisia.