UG strengthens sustainable course with signing of Energy Policy Statement

The University of Groningen (UG) has taken an important step in its ambition to become a more sustainable university. UG Board member Hans Biemans today signed the Energy Policy Statement together with the faculties and services, thereby formally confirming the university’s energy and climate objectives and embedding control over energy reduction within its operations.

Concrete objectives for a sustainable future

By signing the Energy Policy Statement, the UG emphasises its commitment to becoming a CO₂-neutral university by 2035. This means the university is committing to, among other things, an average annual CO₂ reduction of 6.25% compared to 2019 and an energy consumption of less than 70 kWh/m² usable floor area (UFA) per year by 2035. In addition, the UG is committed to reducing energy consumption based on Gross Floor Area (GFA) by an average of 2% per year and to implementing all energy-saving measures with a payback period of 10 years or less as standard.

Sustainable measures

To achieve these goals, the UG will in the coming years fully invest in energy-saving measures and renewable energy sources. In 2023, the university’s total CO₂ emissions amounted to 34 million kilograms. Natural gas accounted for 19% of this—over 6 million kilograms of CO₂. By connecting multiple buildings on the Zernike Campus to WarmteStad (a local sustainable heating network), this share will be more than halved. This switch will result in savings of up to 3 million kilograms of CO₂—equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 1,300 Dutch households. The university is also investing in Thermal Energy Storage systems (TES), such as on the Healthy Ageing Campus.

The UG is also reducing energy demand by using available space more efficiently, improving the insulation of building envelopes, applying smarter heating methods, and implementing large-scale use of energy-efficient LED lighting. Furthermore, the university is developing plans to renovate, replace, or divest buildings that are energetically outdated.

Control over energy use

To more effectively monitor and reduce energy consumption, the UG is implementing an Energy Management System (EMS). This EMS provides a clear structure with measurable targets, regular evaluations, and targeted actions to improve energy performance throughout the UG. It calls on all units within the university to take responsibility for the part of energy use they can influence. This represents a significant step toward becoming a sustainable and energy-efficient university.

‘Sustainability as a core value’

At the signing, UG Board member Hans Biemans stressed the importance of sustainability to the university: “As a knowledge institution, we have a responsibility to lead the energy transition. Sustainability is one of our core values, and this policy enables us to be a role model not only in research and education but also in our operations. By signing this Energy Policy Statement, we aim not only to talk about sustainability but to show determination.”

Embedding in the organisation

The Energy & Sustainability programme, part of the UG’s Real Estate organisation, is actively engaged in further implementing and detailing the university’s energy and sustainability policy. Progress on CO₂ and energy targets is reported annually to the Executive Board, along with recommendations for further improvements. Energy performance is also included as a weighted factor in procurement and design processes.

Phasing out fossil energy completely

A key part of the policy is the phase-out of fossil energy sources and their replacement with a mix of sustainable, preferably self-generated, energy sources. The UG aims to be completely gas-free by 2035.

With this Energy Policy Statement, the University of Groningen underlines its ambition to remain among the frontrunners in the field of sustainability. The university is committed to continuous improvement and is taking concrete steps toward a more sustainable future.