Universities are leading organizations with significant carbon footprints. However, they also have a transformational impact on society through their research, teaching and outreach, and therefore are key potential drivers for the transition to low carbon or Net-Zero emissions.
As of end of 2021, approximately 1050 universities from 68 countries have made commitments to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and transform their impact on nature.
Being a reference for education and influencers for new generations, the American University of Beirut aims to achieve a Net-Zero strategy through multiple measures to be confirmed through in-depth energy assessment and intensive discourse with AUB students, staff, administration, board and partners.
In the transition to Net-Zero and generating clean energy that meets AUB’s energy consumption needs while maintaining comfort and living environmental air quality standards,the Masri Institute (MI) and the Physical Plant Department (PPD) at AUB are implementing a strategy framework using innovative clean energy
solutions as a showcase that can
lead to substantial reduction in power consumption for cooling on campus. The project kicked off in March 2023. The project includes installation of smart meters for cooling and for electricity in the biology building based on PPD recommendation. This will allow direct measurements of saved carbon emissions for this intervention.