The Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) is pursuing an ambitious goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. As part of the process, the university believes involving everyone on campus - and in the surrounding area - is of vital importance. The goal is to work together and implement corresponding measures ranging from holding environmentally friendly meetings to practicing more efficient waste management. This way, the JKU not only becomes a more welcoming place to work and study, but also a place where everyone can interact in a more sustainable way.

We calculate greenhouse gas emissions by using widely accredited methods that aim to include all of the direct and indirect emissions on campus. We will then introduce steps to reduce these emissions, naturally by also involving employees and students!

By keeping energy consumption on campus to a minimum, we can better optimize energy consumption in both current and new buildings on campus, taking heating and cooling needs into account. Heat recycling from waste water, ventilation systems, and server systems will also result in greater efficiency. Self-generated energy will be maximized, particularly through photovoltaic systems, as well as other sources, such as wind and biomass. Other potential sources to support greater efficiency include looking at the campus as a whole instead of simply focusing on individual buildings. Buildings will also be streamlined in terms of operations and use, focusing on a more centralized monitoring system for ventilation and lighting.


The ultimate goal is for the campus to eventually consume as little energy as possible. Current facilities and new buildings will become more energy-efficient by better optimizing ventilation systems and lighting systems. Together, we can also help cut back on the heating/cooling demand on campus. The JKU also intends to invest in generating its own energy, particularly by using solar panels (photovoltaics), as well as other sources, such as wind and biomass.

In the interest of climate-neutral commuting and business travel, we should cut back on driving fossil-fueled vehicles whenever possible, yet without restricting employees' mobility. Environmentally-friendly alternatives to commuting to the JKU include working from home and applying blended learning approaches in education. There are also plans to create more bike paths. Some work-related travel could potentially be replaced by online meetings, or employees can travel using public transportation (such as traveling by train). There are also incentives to encourage students to plan their trips to campus ahead of time and take these guidelines into consideration.

Guidelines and specifications at the JKU will aim to support a more climate-neutral way of purchasing materials, such as paper and hardware. Although it may not always be possible every time, the JKU intends to to introduce compensatory policies as extensively as possible.

We can only succeed in our ambitious goal to become climate-neutral by 2030 with your help! We ask for your support, involvement, and your individual conduct and effort to help create a more climate-neutral JKU! Let's work together to make the JKU even more attractive, while simultaneously fulfilling our university's social responsibility on a day-to-day basis!