LOW CARBON ENERGY USE
TUIT measures the amount of low-carbon energy used across the entire university. The university tracks its energy consumption and carbon emissions as part of its commitment to sustainability. TUIT’s energy monitoring systems allow for the calculation and reporting of energy use, including the portion that comes from low-carbon sources.
The university actively works to reduce its carbon footprint by integrating energy-efficient practices, adopting renewable energy solutions such as solar power, and continuously improving its energy management systems. Detailed reports on the university’s carbon emissions and efforts to mitigate them are publicly available, and they can be accessed on the official university website at https://tuit.uz/our-carbon-emissions. This transparency reflects TUIT’s dedication to sustainable energy use and environmental responsibility.
TUIT has successfully used a total of 12,781 GJ (Gigajoules) of energy from low-carbon sources. This reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability and its ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact. By utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar power and implementing energy-efficient practices across the campus, TUIT contributes to a greener future and supports global carbon reduction goals.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION MEASURES
TUIT provides local education programs and campaigns focused on climate change risks, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. An example of this initiative is the "QALQON" public group, formed by students at TUIT, which actively promotes environmental awareness. The "QALQON" public group is dedicated to ensuring order in student dormitories, university areas, and broader community spaces. They also focus on raising awareness about environmental hygiene, public safety, and the importance of ecological conservation, engaging with relevant authorities when necessary. This initiative is part of TUIT’s ongoing efforts to involve students in environmental education and sustainability practices (https://t.me/tuituz_official/16085).
On June 8th, under the leadership of the Television Technologies Faculties’ tutor Feruza Ermatboyevna, a roundtable discussion was organized for first- and second-year students with the slogan “We Protect Ecology”. During the discussion, To‘laganov X, a representative from the Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shared valuable insights on promoting an environmentally clean atmosphere (https://t.me/tuituz_official/8071).
TUIT has a comprehensive climate action strategy that aligns with sustainability goals and is designed to guide the university’s efforts well into the future. Sustainability will shape TUIT’s plans and activities across all levels and campuses. Our vision is to lead the country in science and policy for sustainability, while embedding sector-leading sustainable practices throughout our research, teaching, and operations. This strategy focuses on advancing sustainability research and education and applying TUIT’s strengths to both internal activities and global challenges.
The university’s approach integrates estate infrastructure, research, and teaching into a unified framework for sustainability. This plan is designed with clear goals to guide actions towards 2033 and beyond, ensuring that TUIT contributes maximally to both the country’s and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this commitment, TUIT actively shares its climate action plan with local government bodies and community groups, reinforcing its role in broader sustainability efforts and climate change mitigation (https://tuit.uz/en/sustainability).
TUIT actively participates in cooperative planning for climate change-related disasters, in collaboration with various government bodies. As part of its commitment to disaster preparedness, TUIT works alongside the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change. One such initiative is the "Urgent 30 Days" campaign held from July 10 to August 10, 2023, across the country, focusing on fire safety measures.
TUIT has been involved in efforts to raise awareness and ensure fire safety, including conducting explanatory work to set additional fire safety standards. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the university also ensured that all fire safety requirements were met in its facilities, including the TATU call-center for university admissions, ensuring that safety was a priority while maintaining operational readiness. This collaborative approach supports not only climate-related risk management but also enhances the university’s role in national disaster preparedness and resilience planning (https://t.me/tuituz_official/14945).
TUIT informs and supports local and regional governments in addressing climate change risks and early warning systems. The university’s Department of Software Engineering regularly conducts discussions and educational activities focused on disaster prevention and safety measures for students.
For example, in collaboration with local authorities, TUIT’s Software Engineering faculty organized a session on “Protecting Populations and Areas from Natural and Technological Emergencies” and “Preventing Poisoning from Gas Leaks and Fire Safety”. These sessions included practical advice for students on how to react in emergencies, such as opening windows and doors immediately if a gas leak is detected, evacuating the building, and calling the relevant emergency services at 104 or 1050.
Through these efforts, TUIT plays an active role in supporting local climate disaster preparedness, contributing to broader regional and national safety initiatives in response to climate change risks (https://t.me/tuituz_official/9661).
TUIT collaborates with NGOs on climate adaptation through initiatives like the "Technoways Startup" competition. This event, held on May 17, 2023, showcased innovative projects in various sectors, including ecology, education, healthcare, commerce, tourism, and more. The competition featured nearly 50 innovative projects aimed at addressing environmental challenges, including climate adaptation, and was organized in collaboration with local organizations. The participants received recognition, including monetary prizes and valuable gifts, for their contributions. By engaging in such initiatives, TUIT supports the development of solutions that align with climate adaptation goals and promotes collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders to address environmental challenges in a sustainable manner (https://t.me/tuituz_official/13647).
COMMITMENT TO CARBON NEUTRAL UNIVERSITY
TUIT aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 in alignment with the Greenhouse Gas Protocols. This target reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint in its operations and activities (https://tuit.uz/affordable-and-clean-energy-2023).
In the global fight against climate change, universities play a crucial role as incubators of knowledge, innovation, and leadership. However, their responsibility is not only limited to education and research; they must also be role models in implementing sustainable practices. In this context, the creation of carbon-neutral campuses is an urgent priority to accelerate climate action and catalyse transformative change in society.
The urgency of carbon neutrality. Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity in the 21st century. The scientific evidence is clear: global warming must be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts. To achieve this goal, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions need to be drastically reduced. Universities, as centres for training future generations and technological innovation, have an ethical responsibility to lead by example.
A carbon neutral university campus is one that has reduced its GHG emissions as much as possible and offsets the rest by investing in projects that eliminate or avoid equivalent emissions, such as reforestation or renewable energy generation. This involves a comprehensive transformation encompassing energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, waste management and the adoption of clean energy.
Benefits of carbon neutral campuses. Leadership and Accountability Model: A carbon neutral campus demonstrates the university’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. This not only strengthens the institutional image, but also inspires students, faculty and staff to adopt sustainable practices in their own lives.
Innovation and Education: By implementing sustainable technologies and practices, universities become living laboratories where climate solutions can be tested and refined. This enriches student learning and prepares a new generation of leaders capable of addressing environmental challenges.
Reduced Operating Costs: In the long term, investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy can result in significant reductions in operating costs. This frees up resources that can be reinvested in the educational and research mission of the university.
Community Engagement: Universities are often the largest employers and consumers of resources in their local communities. By leading the transition to carbon neutrality, universities can influence local policies, support the creation of green jobs, and foster a broader culture of sustainability.
Despite the clear benefits, the transition to a carbon-neutral campus is not without its challenges. It requires careful planning, significant investments and multi-stakeholder collaboration. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and leadership. For example, universities can partner with governments, businesses and NGOs to develop innovative and scalable solutions that benefit both the institution and society at large.
On the other hand, the active participation of students and the university community is essential to the success of this transition. Students are not only future leaders, but can also be agents of change in the present, driving sustainability initiatives and holding their institutions accountable. Universities, for their part, must encourage this commitment by offering opportunities for participation in sustainability projects, applied research and volunteering.
Therefore, UN’s recommendations for the greening of institutions require a holistic approach to environmental sustainability, focusing on leadership, management and administration working together to drive change and create a more environmentally responsible organization. This is why carbon neutral campuses are more than an ambitious goal; they are an imperative in the fight against climate change. By leading, for example, universities can accelerate climate action, educate future generations and catalyze positive change in society. In a world where time is a limited resource in the face of the climate crisis, the transformation of universities towards carbon neutrality can wait no longer. It is a vital step towards a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future for all.