JYU declares Climate Emergency as the first university in Finland

As the first Finnish university, the University of Jyväskylä has signed the Global Climate Emergency Letter of more than 8,000 universities and higher education institutions,thus committing to the goals of the declaration.According to its strategy, JYU aims to be carbon neutral at the latest in 2030.
Published
30.8.2019

The University commits to allocate resources in climate change research and education and to increase knowledge about environment and sustainability on the campus and in the region.

-“Universities play a key role in solving problems that result from climate change. We also challenge other Finnish universities to join the climate effort. Planetary wellbeing, resource wisdom, responsibility and sustainability are central focus areas of the new strategy,” says Rector Keijo Hämäläinen.

JYU has paid attention to environmental responsibility through the Green Office environmental management system from 2013. For example, 100% of electricity bought by the University in 2018 came from renewable energy sources.

The Climate Emergency Letter is organised by EAUC, the US-based higher education climate action organisation, Second Nature and UN Environment’s Youth and Education Alliance.

Further information.
Head of Internationalization & Higher Education Policy Anna Grönlund, tel. 050 313 0401, anna.m.gronlund@jyu.fi

Climate Emergency Letter: https://www.sdgaccord.org/climateletter