Carbon Neutrality carbon neutral
Key INITIATIVES
Toward a Carbon-Neutral Campus by 2050
Hokkaido University adopted its Sustainability Declaration in August 2024, affirming its commitment to addressing climate change—one of the most critical global challenges of our time—and to achieving carbon neutrality in its own operations.
In October 2024, the University also compiled a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory to quantify campus-wide emissions. Building on these efforts, the University will develop a concrete action plan that combines energy conservation, the introduction of renewable energy, and initiatives in education, research, and collaboration with society, with the aim of realizing a carbon-neutral campus by 2050.
GHG Inventory
Hokkaido University compiles a GHG inventory that covers all of its educational and research facilities, including the Sapporo and Hakodate campuses and regional field sites. The University calculates the volume of GHG emissions from these facilities in accordance with international standards and publicly discloses the results.
By continuously tracking and visualizing emission trends, Hokkaido University designs and evaluates concrete measures toward carbon neutrality.
In this inventory, Hokkaido University includes all seven GHGs targeted under the Paris Agreement: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFCs, PFCs, SF₆, and NF₃.
Scope １：
- Due to its location in a cold climate, Hokkaido University makes extensive use of city gas, heavy fuel oil, and kerosene for heat generation.
- The University operates large research and training vessels, which require substantial quantities of heavy fuel oil.
- Because the University maintains multiple facilities across Hokkaido, fuel consumption for transportation between sites is relatively high.
Scope 2：
- Emissions associated with building-level electricity consumption have been decreasing, although they remain strongly influenced by changes in the emission factors of power utilities.
- Most of the remaining electricity demand is attributable to the operation of experimental and other equipment used for education and research
Scope 3：
- Hokkaido University is one of the leading institutions in Japan in actively disclosing Scope 3 emissions.
Climate Action Plan
Hokkaido University is formulating specific reduction targets and action plans to achieve carbon neutrality, with completion scheduled within fiscal year 2025.
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Related Articles
Hokkaido University is engaged in a wide range of initiatives and research activities related to carbon neutrality. Additional information is available via the links below.
