EFEU, a European project for emission-free universities

This project, launched on  October 1, 2022 and ending on September 30, 2024 brings together four European universities, UPHF, DHBW in Stuttgart, Metropolia University for Applied Sciences in Helsinki and Polytechnic Institute of Leiria around a major objective: to promote sustainability skills and good practice in the learning and teaching activities of engineering disciplines.

This Erasmus+ project enables partner institutions to exchange ideas on existing good practice at each university, fostering the implementation of a common strategy to reduce carbon footprint. The aim is to support European universities in achieving carbon neutrality while simultaneously strengthening the social responsibility of these institutions." The implementation of this strategy is based on 4 key elements: 

• Analysis of the state of the art for universities on the road to emissions neutrality;
• The development of emission-neutral teaching and learning programs and modules;
• The evaluation of university practices in a continuous improvement approach to achieve and preserve emission neutrality;
• Student and staff participation.

To facilitate the development of the project and exchanges between the universities, seminars are being organized by each of the universities. After an initial seminar at Helsinki's Metropolia University for Applied Sciences, officially launching the project, UPHF welcomed the partners to a second seminar on November 16 and 17, 2023. 

The EFEU project enables discussions to be initiated around decarbonization and the exchange of best practices. The reflections initiated during these 2 years will then enable universities to:

• Promote environmental awareness and sustainable development within higher education establishments in order to contribute to the achievement of national greenhouse gas reduction targets. 
• Increase stakeholder awareness of environmentally friendly practices in teaching, learning and student and staff mobility, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of higher education institutions.