Cochin University of Science and Technology, India

Sustainable Campus Mission: Transformation, Environmental Stewardship and beyond

Cochin University of Science and Technology’s (CUSAT) green initiatives have profoundly transformed the campus landscape and sustainability practices seeking to achieve Net Carbon Zero by 2050. We started in the base year of 2016 where the scope 1 & 2 emissions were to the tune of tCO2e 2267.77 which considerably reduced to tCO2e 2024.11 in 2022. We expect a reduction of emissions by 5% every year hereafter in line with the Kerala Government announcement of carbon neutrality in the year 2050.

The assessment of Scope 3 under GHG protocol as per ISO standard and LCA methodology will be initiated in the current year as part of our fixing a short-term target of 2030.  Under tree plantation efforts, projects like Smrithi Vanam, Institutional plantations, and Miyawaki Forest have added over 6,000 trees, enhancing biodiversity and green cover. Vegetable cultivation through the Idle to Ideal program and institutional support programmes has reclaimed fallow lands for agricultural use, promoting food security. Various green spaces like Butterfly Park and Green Bay provide recreational areas while fostering biodiversity. Water management initiatives, including rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plants, ensure efficient water usage and conservation. Clean energy initiatives, such as MyByk-sponsored cycle hubs promoting eco-friendly transportation, and extensive solar power utilization across the campus, significantly reduce carbon footprint.

These endeavours signify CUSAT's commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable practices, and creating a greener, more resilient campus community creating a model for others to emulate.

Top 3 Learnings

1. We, as stakeholders, could recognise the importance of sustainability initiatives in the campus set towards action-oriented programmes and inculcate behavioural changes amongst stakeholders to achieve it.
2. The effort created a desirous impact by convergence of fund and non-fund resources to achieve sustainable campus which could be emulated by other institutions and community-based organisations in the society.
3. We could set ourselves as a model institution in the aspect of marching towards sustainability through convergence and focused initiatives over a period of time.