Climate Action Plan for Al-Quds University
Updated Climate Action Plan for Al-Quds University (2024/2025)
Summary
Al-Quds University demonstrates significant efforts on sustainability, advocacy, and climate action leadership. As a testament to our initial sustainability policy, we are proud to include the new and updated Climate Action Plan (CAP). It reflects recent efforts and innovations, and we are motivated to undertake new initiatives to place the University at the leading edge of global efforts on sustainability. We aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Institutional Commitment
Al-Quds University approaches its climate change and sustainability agenda with the full authority of the governance framework at the University. The Climate Action Plan is monitored by the University Sustainability Office, which has been given the necessary Senior Management attention to deliver on our objectives.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory
We update annually our GHG emissions inventories for Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect energy use), and Scope 3 (value chain) emissions, and we are on the lookout for opportunities to improve on our GHG emissions.
Ambitious Targets and Milestones
- 2025: Expand the proportion of our renewable energy use to fulfill 50% of our campus energy demand.
- 2030: Achieve a 60% reduction in total emissions.
- 2035: 50% reduction in emissions (from commuting, air travel, procurement, and food systems); plus a reduction of emissions from waste.
- 2040: 90% reduction in operational emissions.
- 2050: Achieve Net-Zero Emissions
Enhanced Strategies and Actions by Focus Area
Energy and Infrastructure
- By 2040, campus-wide client-net-zero energy emissions and energy systems will comprise 100% renewable energy by major construction/installation of solar arrays and wind turbines.
- By 2035, all energy retrofits to campus buildings will be all buildings upgraded to energy efficient.
- For all new constructions, certified to LEED Gold levels, all buildings, and developments will be green constructed.
Transportation and Mobility
- By 2028, all campus shuttles will be electric.
- By 2027, all campus electric shuttles will have the capability of rapid shuttles and open electric shuttles to the public.
- 50% emissions reduction commuting will be accomplished by 2030 and shift of office into market more strongly through the Green Transportation Incentive program.
Sustainable Procurement and Investment
- All fossil fuel investments will cease by 2030.
- Sustainable and local 75% of the products will be bought by 2030.
- By 2030, we will only sell to be sustainability committed.
Waste Management and Resource Efficiency
- Attain Zero Waste status by 2035, which is much sooner than the initial goal.
- Ban single use plastics on campus by 2028.
- Set up a complete organics composting system and compost 90% of food waste by 2030.
Food Systems
- All food systems will transition by 2030 to sustainable local, and organic food and organic food procurement by 2030.
- To achieve 60% food waste reduction, all food boosts and by 2030 services will be improved waste awareness campaigns
Business Travel and Virtual Connectivity
- Decrease business travel-related air emissions by half by the year 2030. By 2026,
- incorporate high-end virtual conferencing systems into every administration and cross-border integration.
Engagement, Education, and Research
- Integrate sustainability in all academic programs by the year 2026.
- Develop sustainability-focused research and expand funding for research projects that innovate and sustain.
- Enhance the involvement of students and faculty through sustainability-themed annual competitions, grants, and initiatives on campus.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
- Issue annual sustainability reports.
- Define and communicate explicit Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all strategic areas.
- Perform external audits every two years. Audits should review progress for all strategic areas and be made public.
Alignment with Global Standards
- Align strategies with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and describe how each one is impacted.
- Engage regularly and publish data on global sustainability standards like UI GreenMetric, QS Sustainability Rankings.
Conclusion
The updated Climate Action Plan demonstrates Al-Quds University commitment for leadership in sustainability. Our goals reflect the primary focus of efforts, innovative directions, and clear and reachable targets to achieve in making a global impact. Al-Quds University primary goal is to improve the performance of the institution and motivate the rest of the academic world to act on climate.
Climate Action Plan for Al-Quds University (2023/2024)
Overview
Al-Quds University is a premier University and enveloped by the global community as a University and globally climate change change impacts all generations and is a challenge all global citizens must assist in. This is why the University is in the process of developing designed-focused and detailed climate action developed towards climate in succinct and measurable steps towards climate neutral and net-zero emissions by the 2050. Being climate neutral and net-zero emissions by the 2050 will walk the University alongside the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.
Background
Al-Quds University started incorporating the tenants of climate resilience and sustainability in the 2016 and the primary and leading focus of the University in climate change is the mitigation of climate change impacts. This is achieved strategically and systematically by addressing emissions along the operational and the value chain scope of climate change.
Al-Quds operational emissions are emissions caused and burnt within the University climate in provided and sponsored transportation and energy in buildings and facilities within the University campus. The response to meet the goal of climate neutrality is the innovation of the processes through the electrification of the University climate and the shift to renewable energy resources. The University would be eliminating dependency on fossil fuels and would be used replacing with clean alternatives such as solar and wind energy, and electric vehicles
The emissions that come from our value chain include our suppliers and investments. We have identified targeted suppliers and worked to ensure that they practice sustainable procurement and withdraw from fossil fuel investments to ease the procurement and divestment carbon footprints.
Targets
Our Climate Action Plan includes a number of ambitious but realistic targets:
- By 2030: We will achieve a 50% reduction in emissions which is not only in line with the 50% target in the Paris Agreement but also surpasses the target making a positive contribution to the 1.5°C global warming target set during the Paris Agreement negotiations.
- By 2035: We expect to achieve a further 50% reduction in emissions. Unlike the previous target, this cut will target emissions from our extended impact sources – commuting, business air travel, food systems, waste and materials, and embodied carbon. This ensures that our continuous reductions will still keep us aligned to the 1.5°C target within the Paris Agreement.
- By 2040: We plan to achieve 85% operational GHG emissions and our remaining direct emissions will be on a renewable energy source making our direct emissions reduction initiatives, plus, all our initiatives, a full circle.
- By 2050: Our ultimate ambition is attaining net zero emissions. In the middle of the century, Al-Quds University expects to be completely climate neutral, having no net emissions to the atmosphere.
| Year | Target | Description |
| 2030 | 50% reduction in emissions | This is far greater than the target set for emissions reduction set for the Paris agreement for the year 2030. |
|  | Fifty percent more emissions reductions from extended impact sources. | This maintains our reductions in alignment with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. |
| 2040 | An 85% decrease in operational greenhouse gas emissions. | At this stage, we ought to have reduced our direct emissions to a negligible amount. |
| 2050 | Net-Zero Emissions | Attaining climate neutrality involves balancing emitted greenhouse gases with an equivalent amount that is offset or sequestered. |
Strategies and Actions by Focus Area
- Campus Operations: Over the next decades, we plan on transforming our energy systems by installing solar panels and wind turbines, incorporating geothermal heating and cooling, retrofitting our buildings to improve energy efficiency and achieving our goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040.
- Commuting: The new green transportation plan seeks to mitigate commuting emissions by 35% by 2035. Initiatives to support ride-sharing, cycling, walking, public transport, and active transport will be provided.
- Food Systems: In order to attain a 50% decrease in food system emissions by 2030, we will adopt sustainable food procurement practices. We will concentrate on teaching and equipping the community to incorporate locally sourced, organic, plant-based, and seasonal foods into their diets, reduce food waste, and recognize the environmental ramifications of their food choices.
- Waste & Materials: Our goal is to attain zero waste status by 2040, which includes composting 80% of our food waste by 2030, achieving plastics-free campus by 2030, and comprehensive recycling and waste management initiatives.
- Engagement and outreach programs. Incorporating community engagement and integration is important for achieving the objectives outlined in the plan. Sustainability culture will be developed through outreach and awareness initiatives, workshops, training sessions, seminars, and community activities.
- Business Air Travel: In an effort to lower our carbon footprint associated with air travel, the University aims to reduce business air travel undertaken by employees by 20% by the year 2030. This will be partially done through the increased use of technology to host virtual meetings.
- As of 2023, we plan on working with our suppliers to ensure their practices are aligned with our sustainability objectives. We will work on mitigating embodied carbon in procurement by 40% by 2035.
Measuring Progress
For the sake of accountability, we will implement a system of regular monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. Each focal area will have a system of annual assessments, based on progress towards goals that are scientifically determined, which will facilitate the refinement of appropriate strategies relative to goals achieved, goals unmet, and overall milestones attained.
Progress Statistics per Focus Area (2016-2050)
| Period | Campus Operations | Commuting | Food Systems | Waste & Materials | Engagement & Outreach Programs | Business Air Travel | Embodied Carbon |
| 2016-2020 | Incorporated energy efficient appliances within buildings. | Initiated bike sharing and carpooling programs. | Procured 30% of food from local sources, which led to a 15% reduction in food waste. | Reduced waste on campus by 20% and initiated a composting program. | Fifteen awareness campaigns reached two thousand students through seminars. | Reduced air travel by 5%. Used teleconferencing tools. | Engaged 50% of suppliers for sustainable practices |
| 2021-2025 | Transitioned to 40% renewable energy. Installed energy-efficient appliances in more buildings. | The green transportation plan fully implemented. Carpooling increased by 20%. | Switched 50% of food procurement to local sources. Reduced food waste by 30%. | Reduced campus waste by 40%. Composted 40% of food waste. | 30 awareness campaigns. 5000 students reached through seminars. | Reduced air travel by 10%. Expanded use of teleconferencing tools. Engaged 75% of suppliers for sustainable practices. | Engaged three-fourths of suppliers on sustainability initiatives. |
| 2026-2030 | Transitioned to 60% renewable energy, All buildings installed with energy-efficient appliances | Commuting emissions reduced by 30%, All staff and students aware of green transport options | Switched 75% of food procurement to local sources, Reduced food waste by 50% | Achieved zero waste status, Composted 60% of food waste | Conducted 50 awareness campaigns, Reached entire student body through seminars | Reduced air travel by 20%, Teleconferencing becomes norm for meetings | All suppliers engaged for sustainable practices |
| 2031-2035 | Reduced emissions by 80%, All facilities refurbished with energy saving technologies | Commuter emissions reduced by 50%, Most students and employees practice low emission transport | All food sourced from sustainable systems, food waste reduced by 25% | All waste adhered to the closed loop system with no single use plastics |  Sustained and integrated outreach with all university systems | 40% reduction in distance flown with all meetings held virtually | Embodied carbon in procurement decreased by 40% |
| 2036-2040 | Shifted to entirely renewable energy sources, 100% emissions-free campus operations. | Emissions derived from commuting activities decreased by 75%, and most of the university fleet comprises electric vehicles. | All food systems are completely sustainable and there is no food waste. | The university has zero waste status, and waste is managed in an environmentally sustainable manner. | Sustainability is integrated into the culture of the university. | Air travel is reduced by 60%, and all non-essential travel is removed. | All suppliers are completely aligned with the set sustainability goals. |
| 2041-2050 | Sustaining 100% reliance on renewable sources of energy, Continuous enhancements for energy efficiency improvements | No emissions from mobility, Full transition to electric and non-motorized transport | Completely closed loop and fully regenerative food system, No food waste | Waste management practices are proactively updated, Continuous efforts for waste reduction | Ongoing initiatives and outreach, Development of programs based on the most up-to-date research on sustainability | No emissions from flights, Use of virtual means for all communications | Sustained collaboration with suppliers to achieve deeper cuts in embodied carbon |
Climate Action Policy
As part of Al-Quds University’s environmental sustainability strategy, the Climate Action Plan is of primary importance. This is not a policy document, it is a commitment from every student, every member of staff, and every faculty. Every one of us is obligated, whether it is through the reduction of energy use and consumption, recycling, or climate advocacy.
Education and Research
Climate change is undoubtedly an environmental issue, and every Climate Action Plan shows that the responsibility of solving it is educational one, too. Al-Quds University has a fundamental duty to provide education to the leaders, policy makers, and citizens of the future who understand the intricacies of climate change and have the capacity to resolve it. Al-Quds University is also committed to climate change through research and will continue to encourage and facilitate cross-discipline research focused on climate change and sustainability, to enrich the world with knowledge and impactful solutions on the issue.
Final Word
Climate change certainly poses a global challenge; however, it also offers an opportunity to devise global solutions. Despite being a relatively small institution, Al-Quds University IL is a significant individual contributor to this societal notion. IL is also indirectly responsible for the diffusion of change cumulatively over a wider global area. With this in mind, the University promises to revise its objectives periodically, for the sake of future generations, in relation to unsustainable development.
In relation to the development of the legacy of the institution and in relation to future generations, the development of the Climate Action Plan is a significant contribution to this process. climate change. It is expected, IL to be followed in reverse order; IL is a global climate implicated to inspire the other institutions in climate change action planning in to integrated climate change action planning recycling.