Utrecht University
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

The University will ensure the sustainability of its operations. Over the past few years, Utrecht University has made systematic efforts to ensure the further sustainability of its operations with a focus on energy, new construction/renovation, mobility and purchasing. These efforts are primarily based on the sectoral agreements. The University will be continuing this approach over the coming years, in order to ensure that its aspirations for education and research are implemented in its operations. The University will focus on sustainable accommodation, mobility and energy, with an emphasis on facilities processes, and will work to communicate its efforts more effectively through various channels, including the website. The University contributes to regional initiatives, making sure to balance these activities with its primary tasks. The University is working to develop a sustainable Utrecht Science Park in collaboration with other partners. Concrete landmarks include new construction of the Sciences / Geosciences Education Centre (compliant with the Very Good sustainability standard applied by BREEAM-NL), expansion of the existing heat and cold storage (sustainably generated energy) in the northwest corner of De Uithof, and the sustainable demolition of the Wentgebouw building (recycling of 98% of all reclaimed materials). Line of action 1: Preparing, adopting and implementing the Sustainable Business Operations Programme, with a focus on energy, development, management, mobility and purchasing. Line of action 2: Adopting a University-wide standard for new construction, existing housing stock and area development on the basis of BREEAM-NL with credits for aspects such as energy and indoor climate, materials, mobility, water and nature in proportion to lifespan costs (investment and commercial operation). Line of action 3: Applying sustainability (on a People, Planet, Profit basis) as an explicit criterion for all purchasing and tenders (to be expanded to cover the University’s entire spending volume). Line of action 4: Further development of the mobility plan in collaboration with the Uithof partners, based on a shared vision on mobility. The objective is to achieve sustainable accessibility, with the planned P+R facility and Uithof tram line being applied to influence mobility choices. Line of action 5: Implementation of the sustainability benchmark for universities. Line of action 6: The improvement of communication on the University’s sustainability efforts. (Stategic Plan Utrecht University 2012-2016, page 33)