Boğaziçi University's Carbon Neutrality Targets and Compliance with Greenhouse Gas Protocols

Boğaziçi University has made a strong commitment to combat climate change and has developed comprehensive action plans in line with its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and becoming carbon neutral. These goals are managed and implemented by a committee supported by the senior management of the university.

Carbon Neutral University Commitment

Carbon Neutrality Targets and Commitments

Boğaziçi University aims to achieve a 50% reduction in building emissions within the scope of Focus-1 and Focus-2 by 2030 and plans to achieve a net zero emission target for Focus-1, Focus-2 and Focus-3 emissions by 2050. The action plans developed to achieve these targets include strategies such as increasing the use of sustainable energy sources, improving energy efficiency and expanding sustainable practices in the supply chain.

Boğaziçi University has committed to reduce the carbon footprint of campuses and lead the way in sustainability by joining the **"University Campus Sustainability Declaration ’** signed by 21 universities, including countries such as China, India, USA, Japan and Korea. This declaration aims to take energy measures to reduce cost and carbon footprint, to use energy sources that minimise environmental damage, and to encourage campuses to be seen as a living laboratory.

Emission Source Identification and Data System Development

Boğaziçi University actively identifies greenhouse gas emissions and categorises them into three categories: Focus-1 (direct emissions), Focus-2 (indirect emissions) and Focus-3 (supply chain emissions). Monitoring infrastructure has been developed using smart data monitoring systems to monitor gas, water, fuel and generator consumption.

Carbon Emission Calculation and Sustainable Green Campus Practices

Our university evaluates the total carbon emissions of buildings in the light of WBSCSD/WRI Greenhouse Gas Protocol, IPCC 4th Assessment Report, ISO 14064 and BSI PAS 2050 standards and this data plays a critical role in achieving carbon neutrality targets. The photovoltaic panel application, which was initiated in 2009 in campus buildings, contributed to reducing the total carbon footprint while saving electricity.

The Boğaziçi University Wind Power Plant (BÜRES) project was implemented with the aim of controlling carbon emissions and achieving Zero Net Energy level. Since 2015, the Kilyos Sarıtepe Campus, which has been carbon-neutral, has become the first university campus in the world to provide energy from renewable wind resources with its own wind power plant. The first carbon-negative biorefinery in Turkey and Europe was also established on the same campus.

Research and International Collaborations

Boğaziçi University has been accepted as a full member of the European Energy Research Association (EERA) Bioenergy Platform to develop more efficient and cost-effective low-carbon energy technologies. In addition, Boğaziçi University Energy Modelling System (BUEMS) aims to support the formation of Turkey's short and long-term energy-environment planning and policies.

You can find more information about Boğaziçi University's action plans towards carbon neutrality targets and other sustainability initiatives in this field from the links below:

• Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policies Application and Research Centre
• Boğaziçi University Wind Power Plant (BÜRES)
• UN SDSN Turkey
• Europe's First Carbon Negative Biorefinery
• Carbon Neutral University Commitment

Europe's first carbon-negative biorefinery

Started in 2021 at Boğaziçi University Sarıtepe Campus, which has been carbon-neutral since 2015, the INDEPENDENT project, which started its activities in 2021, is Europe's first carbon-negative biorefinery by providing an annual carbon dioxide capture and utilisation capacity of approximately 1200 tonnes.

With the introduction of algae-based alternative products in the energy, food, health, environment, agriculture and livestock sectors, double-win sustainability is achieved by saving all resources that consume fossil energy in production. Read More