FAQs on abatement and offsetting

The University of Bern has set itself the goal of becoming a climate-neutral institution by 2025 in all areas in which it has direct influence.

An institution is climate neutral if it reduces its greenhouse gas emissions to the greatest degree possible and compensates for any remaining, unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions through offsetting.

Strictly speaking, the term “climate neutrality” as defined by IPCC means that all repercussions on the climate are offset so that they have absolutely no impact on the climate. In common usage, the term “climate neutrality” is often equated with greenhouse gas neutrality or net zero emissions, a state meaning that any greenhouse gas emissions generated are offset – or saved – elsewhere depending on their global warming potential. Within the context of the objectives of the University of Bern, this means that the Institution’s greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as much as possible and the remaining, unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions are compensated for through offsetting. The emission factors used to prepare the carbon footprints and the CO₂ equivalent calculated reflect the wide range of climate impacts as fully as possible.

The University of Bern is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed research institutions in climate change research. Furthermore, in its Strategy 2030, it makes a commitment to incorporate the demands of sustainable development into its academic, administrative and operational areas and to constantly improve its sustainability performance (ecology, society, economy, culture and climate). The University therefore not only wants to conduct climate research, but also to make a contribution toward climate protection in its operations and during business trips. It has therefore set itself the goal of becoming a climate-neutral institution by 2025 in all areas in which it has a direct influence.

Many greenhouse gas emissions are unavoidable. Certain business trips, for example, are impossible without air travel. Not only that, but even environmentally friendly district heating, for example, has “hidden” indirect emissions. Because of that, reduction must be accompanied by offsetting: suitable measures are to be taken elsewhere to offset – or compensate for – any unavoidable emissions. Those measures could be climate protection projects aimed at reducing emissions in other countries or, for example, projects related to research being done at the University of Bern that reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of the climate, the location where emissions are reduced is irrelevant.

Abatement takes priority over offsetting. Only those emissions that cannot (yet) be abated are to be offset. Offsetting is necessary so that we can compensate for any unavoidable emissions by taking suitable measures elsewhere. Our carbon offsetting projects are our way of making an effective contribution toward climate protection.

The university’s first step is to gear its efforts toward the framework for international offsets of the Paris Agreement or the old United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In this case, the offsetting projects must meet the following minimum criteria:

1. Quantifiability: the measure must result in a quantifiable abatement of CO₂ emissions (or a CO₂ equivalent CO_2eq)
2. Additionality: the measure is only being carried out for the purpose of achieving an impact on climate protection; it would not be carried out in the absence of incentives to perform offsetting
3. Permanence: that the CO_2eq abatement actually achieved must be long-lasting
4. The abatement or savings have already been achieved, meaning that the project is being assessed ex post instead of ex ante
5. Monitoring, meaning transparency and audits by an independent third party, are ensured

The second step involves looking for projects with a link to the University of Bern (e.g. regional or with respect to research).

The university’s carbon footprint isn’t limited to just CO₂ but also includes all relevant emissions: other greenhouse gases are converted to CO₂ equivalents (CO_2eq) on the basis of their global warming potential. The University of Bern’s carbon footprint considers all relevant greenhouse gases and expresses them as CO₂ equivalents (CO_2eq) based on their specific global warming potential.

All greenhouse gas emissions generated in the year in question must be offset. The internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) governs the preparation of carbon footprints. The University of Bern has prepared its carbon footprint in accordance with the GHG Protocol.

Greenhouse gas reports of the University of Bern

At the start, four phases were defined based on the fundamental idea that a carbon footprint first needed to be prepared as a kind of stock-taking measure to ascertain where the university stands. On this basis, it is then possible to determine where abatement potential lies, develop abatement measures and offset any remaining emissions. These topics were worked on side by side from the very start, meaning that the phases are not proceeding sequentially, rather simultaneously. Annual carbon footprints are prepared and checked regularly for prevention and abatement potential to ensure that offsetting is only ever used for emissions that are unavoidable during the period under review.

We all need to work together to achieve climate neutrality. We must take a critical look at our day-to-day activities and established processes to determine whether they cause greenhouse gas emissions and, if so, how many and how they can be reduced.

The Vice-Rectorate Quality is responsible for overall project management. They work together with the areas and faculties in question to develop and implement reduction measures.

Suitable offsetting projects are sought through requests for proposals.

If you have any questions, please contact the team at the Vice-Rectorate Quality and Sustainable Development:

nachhaltigkeit.qualitaet@unibe.ch