Contribution to Climate Protection

Climate protection projects are an essential component in achieving global climate protection goals. As long as the University of Bern is unable to sufficiently reduce its emissions, it makes a supplementary positive contribution to climate protection. This consists of a mix of measures, including the purchase of CO₂ credits to offset emissions from air travel, as well as other forms of climate protection initiatives (e.g., projects related to Engaged UniBE or the ideas competition). There are no plans to offset these additional contributions in the greenhouse gas balance; rather, the aim is to take responsibility for the university’s own emissions and make a positive contribution to climate protection. In the long term, carbon caputre projects and negative emission technologies will play an increasingly important role, as unavoidable emissions can only be permanently offset by sequestering CO₂-eq from the atmosphere.

Climate Protection Projects

In accordance with Article 109 of the cantonal personnel ordinance, CO₂ credits from suitable climate protection projects are purchased in an amount equivalent to the unavoidable emissions from air travel. In doing so, we ensure compliance with the fundamental, internationally recognized criteria for climate protection projects and consider only high-quality projects. We take scrutiny of verification and evaluation methods very seriously and adjust the portfolio of eligible projects accordingly. The criteria are established and projects are selected by a selection committee.

The following projects were supported for the 2024 offset:

• Wood Chips Switzerland (Losone, Ticino)
• Methane Reduction in Dairy Cows (Switzerland)
• Refrigerator Recycling in Brazil
• Biogas Plants on Swiss Farms
• Small-Scale Biogas Plants, Nepal