SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS
Kimyo International University in Tashkent is taking important steps toward becoming a more sustainable and environmentally conscious institution. Inspired by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the university is working to align its activities with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to build a greener, more responsible campus environment.
The university is gradually integrating sustainability principles into academic programs, research activities, campus operations, and community engagement. This includes raising awareness among students and staff, encouraging eco-friendly practices, and exploring innovative solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable mobility.
While there is no formal Green Team in place yet, interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged across faculties and administrative units to support sustainability-related initiatives. These efforts reflect the university's growing commitment to its "third mission" — contributing to society through outreach, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
As Kimyo International University continues to develop its sustainability vision, it remains open to new partnerships, student-led projects, and institutional strategies that promote long-term ecological and social well-being.
Climate Action
Kimyo International University in Tashkent is firmly committed to addressing the global climate crisis and has established a clear goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. This commitment reflects the university's alignment with international climate agreements and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13: Climate Action).
Reaching net-zero emissions represents a significant institutional challenge that calls for both immediate measures and long-term strategies. To meet this goal, the university has launched a multi-year Decarbonisation Plan focused on reducing both direct and indirect CO₂ emissions. Key focus areas include improving energy efficiency across campus, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, promoting sustainable transport, and fostering behavioral change through awareness and education.
This climate action strategy is being implemented through coordinated efforts involving university leadership, faculty, staff, and students — ensuring that sustainability is embedded in both operations and academic culture. By taking proactive steps now, Kimyo International University is positioning itself as a leader in climate responsibility within Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region.
Emissions Inventory
Since 2022, Kimyo International University in Tashkent has initiated a structured effort to monitor and record its greenhouse gas emissions as part of its broader sustainability and climate action strategy. This emissions inventory serves as a foundation for informed decision-making and for tracking progress toward the university's carbon neutrality goal by 2040.
The emissions are categorized into three main areas:
- Scope 1 – Direct emissions from university-owned or controlled sources
- Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from purchased electricity and thermal energy
- Scope 3 – Other indirect emissions associated with university-related activities
The inventory currently includes the following sources:
- Scope 1: Formerly included the university vehicle fleet, which has been fully replaced with electric vehicles, resulting in a major reduction in direct emissions
- Scope 2: Electricity consumption and district heating
- Scope 3: Staff commuting, academic and administrative travel, cloud-based IT services, and office supply procurement
Data collection is coordinated through collaboration between administrative departments and technical units, with ongoing improvements to expand coverage and data quality. This inventory is a key tool in guiding the university's sustainability efforts and shaping effective, measurable climate action.
Decarbonisation Plan
Following the launch of its emissions inventory in 2022, Kimyo International University in Tashkent has developed a focused Decarbonisation Plan as part of its strategic commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The analysis of emissions sources has provided valuable insights into the university's environmental impact and guided the selection of priority areas for intervention.
Key findings from the assessment highlighted:
- Primary CO₂ sources, particularly from heating, electricity use, and mobility
- The need for broad community involvement, including students and staff, in evaluating sustainability measures
- Gaps in available data regarding waste, food services, and building-specific energy use, calling for more detailed and integrated monitoring
- The importance of incorporating student mobility patterns into Scope 3 calculations to better represent the full institutional footprint
- The distinction between emissions from routine operations and research-specific activities
Based on these findings, the university has initiated the first phase of its decarbonisation roadmap, which includes:
- The installation of rooftop solar panels on the main academic building to generate clean electricity
- The deployment of a wind turbine to complement solar energy production and diversify renewable sources
- Ongoing modernization of building infrastructure, including energy-efficient windows and doors
- Campus-wide replacement of conventional lighting with LED systems to reduce electricity demand
- Enhanced environmental monitoring, using newly installed sensors to track indoor conditions and optimize system performance
- Fine-tuning of thermal and electrical systems for greater energy efficiency and lower emissions
These early actions mark a proactive shift toward a renewable-powered, resource-responsible campus, strengthening the university's position as a leader in sustainability within Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region.
United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)
Kimyo International University in Tashkent is an active member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), a global initiative that brings together higher education institutions committed to supporting and advancing the values and goals of the United Nations. Through this membership, the university promotes academic freedom, global citizenship, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue, while encouraging the integration of UN principles into teaching, research, and institutional practices. Participation in UNAI highlights the university's dedication to fostering a more inclusive, peaceful, and responsible academic community.
SDGs in Teaching & Research
At Kimyo International University in Tashkent, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being increasingly integrated into the university's educational programs and scientific research. This alignment helps prepare students to tackle global challenges while positioning the university as a contributor to sustainable development at both national and international levels.
Teaching
Faculty members are encouraged to map their courses to relevant SDGs, identifying how their content contributes to global problem-solving. This process helps ensure that students gain the transversal and technical skills needed to address environmental, economic, and social challenges.
Why align teaching with the SDGs?
- To highlight how academic disciplines contribute to sustainable development
- To support the formation of globally responsible graduates
- To create a structured, searchable SDG-aligned course database for transparency and rankings
Research
Researchers at Kimyo International University have begun to associate their scientific outputs with relevant SDGs when publishing and archiving work. This approach helps the university:
- Identify which SDGs are most supported by its research
- Recognize gaps and new opportunities for interdisciplinary research
- Build a knowledge database for use in funding, policymaking, and collaboration
- Participate more effectively in global thematic rankings and innovation metrics
Impact Monitoring
To ensure accountability and continuous improvement, Kimyo International University in Tashkent implements a structured approach to impact monitoring for its sustainability initiatives and infrastructure upgrades. Monitoring activities are designed to measure both the environmental outcomes and the institutional benefits resulting from the implementation of projects such as the filtered water tap station.
Key monitoring components include:
Water Consumption Metrics
Regular tracking of filtered water usage to evaluate reduction in single-use plastic bottles and promote responsible consumption.
Energy Performance
Periodic assessment of energy savings related to installed equipment (e.g., solar panels, LED systems, optimized heating).
User Feedback
Surveys and observations among students and staff to gauge satisfaction, accessibility, and behavioral change.
Maintenance Logs
Ongoing documentation of service intervals, filter replacements, and system performance to ensure efficiency and reliability.
Reporting and Transparency
Integration of findings into annual sustainability reports and communication with stakeholders, including students, partners, and UNAI.
Through this monitoring framework, the university aims to quantify the positive impact of its actions, support data-driven decision-making, and align with international best practices in sustainability reporting.
Governance of Sustainability
Kimyo International University in Tashkent is establishing a clear governance structure to guide and coordinate its sustainability efforts and alignment with the United Nations 2030 Agenda. This governance framework ensures that actions across teaching, research, campus operations, and community engagement are strategic, inclusive, and accountable.
Key features of the university's sustainability governance include:
Leadership Commitment
The university leadership actively supports the integration of sustainable development into strategic planning, academic programming, and infrastructure development.
Cross-Unit Coordination
Sustainability efforts are coordinated across administrative and academic units to ensure coherence in implementation. This includes aligning activities with institutional development goals and the SDGs.
Policy Integration
Principles of environmental and social responsibility are increasingly reflected in internal policies related to procurement, energy use, waste management, and curriculum design.
Stakeholder Involvement
Staff, students, and external partners are encouraged to participate in sustainability-related initiatives, contributing ideas and feedback through surveys, working groups, and public dialogues.
Monitoring and Reporting
Data from impact assessments, emissions inventories, SDG mappings, and awareness surveys inform institutional decision-making and are incorporated into regular internal and external reports.
Through this governance structure, Kimyo International University aims to create an institutional culture of sustainability, ensure transparency in implementation, and position itself as a responsible academic partner in both the national and global context.