The University’s carbon footprint La Rochelle Université > University > Our social commitments > Sustainable development > The University’s carbon footprint Published on 5 February 2025 In 2022, La Rochelle Université published its greenhouse gas assessment (GHG assessment), which takes into account the entire scope of its activities (scopes 1, 2 & 3). Based on these results, the university then voted on an action plan to reduce its emissions. What is a carbon footprint? The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated over a year by an organisation’s activities. The University’s carbon footprint : main results La Rochelle Université’s overall emissions in 2019, when considering all its activities (scopes 1 to 3), amounted to 11 902 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (C02e). This is equivalent to 1,23 tonnes of CO2e per visitor to the university (including both students and employees). Summary of greenhouse gas emissions by item (in %) Action plan The action plan aiming to reduce the university’s carbon emissions was approved by the La Rochelle Université Board of Directors in September 2022. It sets out short-, medium- and long-term actions to be taken in relation to the university’s various emission sources. A number of measures have been taken to ensure that energy and climate issues are understood by everyone: A first training course led by the Climate fresk has been set up for the President’s team, the General Management of Services and the heads of the university’s departments. Training in ecological transition for all members of staff will gradually be introduced; A training module on the ecological transition for students is also being set up as part of the TRANSFERES project; Finally, each research laboratory attached to the university is expected to assess its own carbon footprint and take up these issues in order to draw up an action plan at its own level. Measures to reduce the carbon footprint have been adopted, including: Reducing the number of business trips and encouraging people to use the train; Raising awareness of sustainable mobility in everyday life; Reducing the carbon footprint of public purchases, particularly with regard to digital responsibility and contracts generating significant greenhouse gas emissions. This action plan will be regularly monitored by the Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility steering committees. A new carbon assessment will be carried out in 2024 to update the data, measure changes and guide actions.
