I. General provisions

1. This Policy defines the principles, objectives and main directions of the sustainable development of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (hereinafter “the University”) for the period up to 2033. It covers the University’s education, research, campus operations, employment, partnerships and community engagement.

2. The University understands sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Decisions on teaching, research, campus operations, procurement and employment take into account their environmental, social and economic consequences.

3. This Policy is the University’s framework document on sustainability. Specific commitments are set out in the thematic policies TUIT-SP-02 to TUIT-SP-18, which implement this Policy.

4. The Policy has been prepared in accordance with the Constitution and the Law “On Education” of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Law “On Nature Protection”, the Strategy for the transition of the Republic of Uzbekistan to a “green” economy, the Charter of the University and other legislative acts, and takes into account the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

5. The Policy applies to all academic buildings, dormitories, sports facilities and grounds of the University and is binding on all employees and students. Contractors and suppliers working on University premises comply with the provisions that concern their work.

II. Terms used in this Policy

6. The following terms are used in this Policy:

Scope 1 emissions – direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by the University, such as boilers and University vehicles;

Scope 2 emissions – indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity and heat;

Scope 3 emissions – all other indirect emissions associated with the University’s activities, such as business travel, commuting, purchased goods and services, waste and water;

carbon neutrality – a state in which net greenhouse gas emissions within the stated scopes are zero, achieved first by reducing emissions and only then by balancing residual emissions with high-integrity, permanent carbon removals, in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

III. Climate action and carbon neutrality

7. The University commits to becoming a carbon-neutral university in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Its targets, against the 2022–2023 baseline, are: to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by at least 15 per cent by 2030 and by at least 50 per cent by 2040; to achieve carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2050 or earlier; and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 for the following Scope 3 categories: business travel, waste generated in operations and water supply.

8. The University’s approach is to reduce emissions first. Only high-integrity, permanent removal credits may be counted towards its own targets; avoidance credits are not counted.

9. The University maintains a Climate Action Plan that sets out measures for reducing emissions and for adapting the campus to the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat and water shortage. The Plan is published on the University website and shared with the local government (khokimiyat) and community organisations, whose comments are considered when it is updated.

10. Every year the University measures its total energy use, the share of low-carbon energy and its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Energy from forest biomass is not counted as low-carbon energy. Detailed measures are set out in the Energy and Carbon Management Policy (TUIT-SP-02).

IV. Campus operations

11. The University designs new buildings and renovations to energy- and water-efficiency standards (TUIT-SP-02, TUIT-SP-04); reduces water use and reuses water (TUIT-SP-04); measures and reduces its waste and safely disposes of hazardous materials (TUIT-SP-05); minimises plastic and disposable items (TUIT-SP-06); purchases goods, services and food ethically and sustainably (TUIT-SP-07, TUIT-SP-08); protects biodiversity and land (TUIT-SP-09); and promotes sustainable commuting (TUIT-SP-18).

V. Education and research for sustainable development

12. The University is committed to meaningful education on sustainable development and the SDGs for all its students. Every student receives such education during their studies through compulsory courses, such as ecology and environmental protection, and through sustainability topics integrated into specialised courses, projects and final qualification works.

13. Faculties review their curricula regularly to strengthen sustainability content. The University assesses the sustainability literacy of its students through an annual survey and publishes a summary of the results.

14. The University supports research on climate, energy, water, the circular economy and the use of information and communication technologies for the SDGs, and uses its campus as a living laboratory for students and researchers.

VI. People and community

15. The University regards equality, inclusion, human rights and decent work as part of sustainable development. These commitments are set out in TUIT-SP-10 to TUIT-SP-14 and TUIT-SP-17.

16. The University opens its knowledge and facilities to the public (TUIT-SP-15), engages with local stakeholders (TUIT-SP-16) and contributes its expertise to national and regional policy on the SDGs.

VII. Reporting and organisation

17. The University publishes an annual Sustainability and SDG Report on its website, describing progress in implementing this Policy and the thematic policies.

18. The Rector bears overall responsibility for this Policy. The Sustainability Committee coordinates its implementation, approves the Climate Action Plan and reports to the University Council at least once a year. The Department of National and International Rankings prepares the annual report together with the responsible units and maintains the sustainability section of the University website.

VIII. Monitoring and expected results

19. Progress is monitored annually through the following indicators: Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions; energy use per square metre and the share of low-carbon energy; water use per person; the share of waste recycled; the number of courses with sustainability content; and the results of the sustainability literacy survey.

20. Expected results by 2030: a reduction of at least 15 per cent in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions; an annual Sustainability and SDG Report published every year; sustainability education available to every student; and all thematic policies reviewed at least every two years.

IX. Final provisions

21. This Policy is reviewed at least once every two years, and earlier if there are significant changes in legislation or in the activities of the University. Amendments are approved by the University Council.

22. This Policy enters into force on the date of its approval by the University Council and replaces the Sustainable Development Policy to 2033 and Beyond adopted in 2023.

23. This Policy is published on the official website of the University (tuit.uz/sustainability) in Uzbek and English and remains publicly available.