Projects and Initiatives
An overview of our ongoing 2024 projects and initiatives focusing on environmental aspects and, in particular, efforts to curb climate change
The climate commitment at Bocconi University and the SDA Bocconi School of Management has deep roots, allowing Bocconi to steadily reduce its carbon footprint.
Bocconi’s initiatives include:
- Energy saving and efficiency in all activities
- LEED Platinum Certification for the new Urban Campus
- Auto-production of energy from renewable sources including photovoltaic and geothermal
- 100% of electricity acquired from third parties procured from renewable sources since 2017
The investment initiatives already underway (for example, replacement of remaining heating system with heat pumps) will bring the University even closer to the carbon neutrality threshold for its direct emissions.
As a result of the continuous modernization of plants and machinery, as well as energy optimization, the University has achieved excellent results that have also been certified by independent third parties.
In addition to the other initiatives, the ISO 14064-1:2018 certification regarding the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions was achieved in 2023, a key step in completing the University's decarbonization plan.
Bocconi University's decarbonization pathway plans to achieve carbon neutrality (direct Scope 1 and indirect Scope 2 emissions) by 2025 and then focus on the Net Zero goal, including the main indirect emissions.
Promoting a Culture of Environmental Responsibility and Managing Direct Environmental Impacts
Planned energy efficiency measures continued in 2023. This, together with the engagement and awareness campaigns conducted for the entire university community, has enabled further containment of energy consumption, which has seen a year-on-year decrease of almost 7%. In addition, the commissioning of additional photovoltaic renewable power plants has enabled the University's share of self-generated green electricity to increase.
2023 was also the year in which the certification of the University's carbon footprint by an independent body was completed, according to the ISO 14064-1:2018 standard, including direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 and Scope 3) emissions. These initiatives will enable progress along a very ambitious decarbonization pathway, which includes substantially achieving carbon neutrality (direct Scope 1 and indirect Scope 2 emissions) by 2025, and then focusing on indirect Scope 3 emissions thereafter.
Photovoltaic Energy Production
1,364+ MWh of clean electricity
During 2023, the Bocconi photovoltaic park produced more than 1364+ MWh of clean electricity, saving nearly 589,000 kg of CO2.
Energy Consumption
96,292 GJ*
* Starting in 2022, the calculation follows the requirements of ISO 14064-1; where possible, consumption and related emissions were recalculated for the year 2021. 2021 data are still partially linked to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Waste Production
9.9 t Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste
* In contrast to previous years, the 2023 data regards production of non-hazardous waste include decommissioning of unused non-hazardous equipment due to planned modernization work at certain Bocconi sites and the replacement of lighting fixtures (e.g. fluorescent lamps) with LED devices as part of the campus’s ongoing energy efficiency.
Limiting Paper Usage
The reduction in the use of paper is closely linked to the digitization of teaching processes (lessons, exams, graduations) and research over the years.
Overall, the University introduced a series of innovations such as the elimination of printed theses, digital signature of exam reports, digitization of the faculty register, and other improvements that have enabled a steady reduction in printing and consumption of paper and ancillary materials (e.g. toner).
Food Policy
With the adoption of a Food Policy, Bocconi aims to define the objectives that directly and indirectly guide their decisions at the University concerning food and diet.
For this reason, it aims to promote a single vision on campus concerning the system for purchasing and consuming food that is inspired by the principles of health, ethics as well as environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Main objectives
- Promote correct dietary habits for good health
- Facilitate social cohesion, equality and integration
- Promote the use of products with a low environmental impact
- Reduce food waste
Mobility management
Via Sarfatti Crosswalk
To improve safety when moving between campus buildings, a new pedestrian walkway has been constructed on Via Sarfatti, providing a safe connection between the old and new campus areas. The intervention also upgraded the entire area affected by the work, increasing the number of bicycle racks and completing the area with the installation of benches.
Pedestrianization of Via Röntgen Area
In cooperation with the Municipality of Milan, a project was carried out that included the delimitation of the area by means of barriers authorized by the Municipality's Street Fixtures Department. This intervention quickly turned the square into a meeting place for people instead of an unauthorized parking lot for bicycles and motorcycles.
Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles
To encourage the use of electric vehicles, an additional four electric charging stations have been installed in the Piazza Sraffa 11 parking lot, serving the cars of Bocconi personnel.
ISO 50001 Certification
Renewal of ISO 50001 Certification confirming the energy management improvement process in all Bocconi facilities.
In addition to guaranteeing lower energy costs, ISO 50001 Certification has several advantages:
- it is valid support of the organization and optimization of energy consumption;
- it identifies best practices in energy management;
- it is an instrument for improving energy management to reduce CO2 emissions.
ISO 14064-1 Certification
The ISO 14064-1:2018 certification regarding the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions was achieved in 2023.
Bocconi University's decarbonization pathway plans to achieve carbon neutrality (direct Scope 1 and indirect Scope 2 emissions) by 2025 and then focus on the Net Zero goal, including the main indirect emissions.
LEED Platinum Certification
In 2021 the new Urban Campus area achieved LEED Platinum certification.
Confirming the results in the sustainability process initiated by Bocconi University, the new Urban Campus area has achieved LEED Platinum certification (which covers the entire life cycle of the building, from design to construction) for the new SDA Bocconi headquarters.
Biosafety Trust Certification
In 2020 Bocconi obtained the Biosafety Trust Certification.
BIOSAFETY TRUST CERTIFICATION IS AMONG THE SHORT-LIST FINALISTS FOR THE "RISK RESILIENCE INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR" OF THE EUROPEAN RISK MANAGEMENT AWARD.
The Biosafety Trust Certification is the first certification scheme created to provide a set of best practices to help minimize the risk of spreading epidemics in public and private gathering places. Our University successfully completed the process that verifies compliance with the system of requirements put in place by the certifying body RINA.
Download the Sustainability Report for a compendium of our University's main achievements, initiatives and perspectives in the field of sustainability in its various forms – from environmental to related social, economic and institutional aspects.