Race to Zero at UPWr

The global Race to Zero campaign – supported by the United Nations – brings together cities, regions, businesses, educational, financial and health institutions that have committed to halving their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The "Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges" campaign – joined by the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, after the University of Warsaw and the Technical University of Łódź, is being implemented in collaboration with the EAUC (the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education), Second Nature and the United Nations Environment Programme . By September 2022, 8307 companies, 595 financial institutions, 1136 cities, 52 states and regions, 1125 educational institutions and 65 healthcare institutions from around the world had already committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the basic conditions for participating in the campaign is to diagnose the situation in the entities involved and, on the basis of this diagnosis, develop a plan of action.

– Therefore, at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, the first step will be to identify and inventory the elements of the functioning of the university's units in terms of their impact on greenhouse gas emissions, i.e. carbon dioxide and methane. This will be the basis for drawing up a balance sheet, on the basis of which an action plan will be drawn up to gradually reduce emissions of these gases – says Dr Paweł Szyszkowski from the Research and Development Centre at UPWr and recalls that the university has been relying on green energy for some time now, thus realising the goals set out in the Race to Zero campaign.

– It is primarily the photovoltaic panels that are consistently installed on our buildings. The flagship example here is our swimming pool, but there are more actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and they are within everyone's reach – stresses Dr Szyszkowski, immediately listing the recommendations: – These include, for example, promoting, both among employees and students, public transport and cycling, and increasing safe parking places for bicycles and scooters on university premises. Wrocław is one of the Polish cities that has decided to join the Race to Zero campaign, so the construction of cycle paths, better public transport and more city bike stations is actually a common goal.

The action plans at UPWr also include installing charging stations for electric vehicles powered by renewable energy on the university's premises, limiting business trips in favour of online meetings (travelling only when justified and preferring land transport, especially rail, over air). It is also about upgrading the university's transport facilities in favour of environmentally friendly vehicles, as well as generalising the ways in which teaching, seminars and conferences are conducted online. We are also planning a review of all university facilities in terms of electricity conservation and the prevention of heat loss. We will also be looking at measures to optimise the use of computers, printers, etc. equipment.

– Ongoing research should be planned and conducted in terms of energy use and waste generation according to the principles: avoid, minimise, use, dispose. Practical classes with students will be supplemented with information on how to deal with the waste generated during such classes and how to collect it selectively – continues Dr Szyszkowski, adding that cost estimates for both research and classes must include the cost of waste disposal.

The action plan also includes such points as rationalising purchases (quantities in line with current needs, returnable packaging, service systems, etc.), maintaining a system of internal information on redundant equipment and auxiliary agents, including chemicals – which makes it possible to share or transfer them to units where they are currently needed, without the need for additional purchases. 

– But it is also about exchanging experiences in waste and energy management with other research facilities at home and abroad, or promoting vegetarian and vegan dishes and using local products both in the university's catering outlets and at our conferences and celebrations, in accordance with the principle of a short supply chain, thus reducing the carbon footprint – emphasises Dr. Paweł Szyszkowski, adding that the measures to be implemented also include the modernisation of the research and teaching stations in Swojec and Radomierz aiming to adapt them to climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

In the near future, a survey among UPWr employees and students will be carried out to assess their awareness of sustainable development goals, climate targets, etc. The survey will also allow the identification of the most important climate change goals. The survey will also identify barriers and needs in this area.

– We will also ask for ideas from our researchers and students aimed at achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by our university – concludes Dr Paweł Szyszkowski.

• 

  In search of new medicinal substances

  The project carried out by the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Medical University in Wrocław (leader) won 190,728 PLN in the Prelude competition. Of this, 112,038 PLN will go to the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, which is a partner of the project.

• 

  Identifying fake honey

  Honey is one of the many products that Poland can be proud of. Unfortunately, more and more often, the honey that’s called natural, is not. The most popul. Unfortunately, more and more often, the honey that’s called natural, is not. The most popular falsifying practices include the addition of various substances enriching the taste and aroma in order to increase the sensory qualities, as well as to reduce production costs and replace raw materials with other equivalents, often of lower quality.