UL strives to integrate sustainability in its various activities and processes. Moreover, it also regularly participates in new research and development projects aimed at the sustainable transformation of higher education through the partnership networks in which it operates.
Sustainable development as part of the UL Strategy
The principles of sustainable development and the national and global guidelines for investing in sustainable, resilient, and green higher education (HE) are also pursued in the UL Strategy. Strategic actions identified in the Strategy include, among others:
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Reform/update study programmes, course units and extracurricular activities to make them socially relevant (e.g., in study programmes, enhance learning and practical content relating to sustainable development),
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Promote volunteering among the employees and students when it comes to getting involved in the solving of environmental and social issues.
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Develop and participate in national projects for the sustainable development of society and the economy.
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Act in a socially and environmentally responsible way so that we serve as an example to others.
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Set up a sustainable investment policy.
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Take appropriate actions to assert the principles of diversity and equality.
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Ensure ethical conduct by all.
Sustainable Development Group ASTRA
In 2023, the UL established a dedicated interdisciplinary Academic Sustainable Development Group (ASTRA).
The main task of the group is to develop statements and guidelines for the assessment of sustainability competences and the implementation of the forthcoming sustainability strategy, and to make proposals for the sustainable development of the UL.
The goal is to review the current state of sustainability activities and practices at the UL and provide guidance for their improvement. In reviewing the UL's day-to-day operations, ASTRA follows the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Partner networks
The importance of participating in partner networks
Efforts to achieve a sustainable transformation of the UL's own activities, of HE and of society at large are also pursued through engagement in international networks, which deal intensively with issues relating to the contribution of HE to the SDGs.
Certifications
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Number of UL members certified as offering “Athlete-Friendly Education"
11
Certificate awarded by the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, Association of Sports.
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Number of UL members with the “Dementia-Friendly Point” certificate
2
School of Economics and Business, Faculty of Social Work (certificate awarded by the Spominčica association).
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Number of UL members awarded the "LGBT-Friendly Environment" certificate
3
The certificate was awarded to the UL Rectorate in 2022 by the Municipality of Ljubljana. In 2017, it was awarded to the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and in 2019 to the Faculty of Social Work.
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UL has joined the process of obtaining the DGNB Sustainable Building Certificate in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine and the Veterinary Faculty.
Sustainable investment
UL has followed all sustainability criteria in accordance with the principles of the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) and DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) Sustainable Building Certification when planning the construction of new educational and research infrastructure for the Faculty of Medicine Campus Vrazov trg and the Veterinary Faculty. This means that it has fulfilled the following minimum criteria:
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sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources
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transition to a circular economy
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prevention and control of pollution
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protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems
The DGNB certification process includes the preparation of a life cycle analysis (LCA), which provides information on the environmental impact of the building and its individual components. During the planning and construction process, the LCA also helps with the identification and selection of more environmentally friendly solutions, taking into account a wide range of their environmental impacts.
Appropriate solutions such as passive shading, building orientation, green roofs, water saving measures and the choice of optimal cleaning solutions can thus be implemented at the project-planning phase to ensure that buildings are as well prepared as possible for the effects of climate change. Careful selection of building materials (with the lowest possible environmental footprint) and planning for the reuse of used materials are key aspects of the DGNB assessment process for new buildings. This encourages manufacturers of building materials to include as many recycled materials as possible in their manufacturing procedures.
Measures to prevent and control environmental pollution are included in the design of the building and therefore also in the construction plan. When the construction companies start work, they are informed about the measures to prevent and reduce environmental pollution during the construction work.
UL also plans to certify new buildings that are currently in the architectural tendering and design phase (UL FS, UL FFA, UL MF Campus Zaloška, UL ALUO and others).
Energy management at the UL
The UL Energy Strategy is one of the key documents for the implementation of UL's sustainable transformation efforts. It also promotes appropriate research, innovation, and balanced development.
By implementing the Energy Strategy, the UL aims to become a role model and a good example for the implementation of sustainable development, using its knowledge and competences. Sustainable development is integrated into the educational process, thus promoting the transition from a fossil-based energy-intensive university and society to a sustainable university and society that emphasises the use of renewable resources and a minimal environmental footprint. With an energy strategy and the effective implementation of the related measures, the UL can become a reference case for nearly zero-energy buildings and provide the necessary know-how to support the economy in the transition to a low-carbon society.
One of the strategic mechanisms for achieving the UL's energy policy goals is the UL Energy Concept. It represents the UL's development concept in the field of energy supply and use, which, in addition to energy supply plans, also includes measures for energy efficiency, co-generation of heat and electricity and the use of renewable energy sources.
In order to set baselines and objectives for energy reduction for the UL Rectorate and its 26 members, the UL has decided to set up an Energy Information System (EIS) in line with the UL Energy Strategy. Part of the EIS is an Energy Accounting System (EK), which is used to enter and process (e-)invoices for monthly energy and water consumption by different items and to produce various reports by building level, energy consumption, energy products, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. It also supports the production of various benchmarking analyses, which form the basis for data verification and support for the energy management of UL buildings.
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Electricity consumption (UL)
25.725 MWh
Period: January - December 2023
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Target electricity consumption (UL)
24.933 MWh
Actual consumption in 2023 was ~3.2% above the target value.
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Heat consumption (UL)
30.658 MWh
Period: January - December 2023
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Target heat consumption (UL)
33.262 MWh
Actual consumption in 2023 was ~7.8% below the target value.
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Three-year average electricity consumption (UL)
25.704 MW
Period: 2021 - 2023
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Three-year average heat consumption (UL)
34.291 MWh
Period: 2021 - 2023
Documents
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Strategies and programmes