Climate Change

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Foreword

Climate change is a global problem, the effects of which extend across a wide range of disciplines. Therefore, this theme must be included in any university's teaching and research programs. Universities globally are increasingly recognizing their responsibility to prepare students and society to actively contribute to the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. This role sees universities adopting and promoting carbon-neutral goals and practices. Amitav Ghosh stated: "The climate crisis represents a failure of vision" and this is the purpose of this action plan to illuminate the first steps forward.

In the next ten years, PSUT plans to start teaching students how to develop sustainable practices and business models. In addition, it will conduct research studies that contribute to climate justice. Moreover, PSUT will change the way it operates; it will focus on reaching the net-zero by 2032, set budgets for reducing carbon emissions, and work on reducing waste.

Therefore, the university plans to:

 Change the way of teaching and conducting research, by extending its collaboration with educational, government, and industry partners, and above all, with civil society organizations, especially those related to climate movements.

 Build an internal movement for change with students and staff by creating opportunities for everyone to contribute to this strategy in an inclusive way.

 Co-create a set of guiding principles and initiatives for climate change in the curriculum.

 Develop a program for the staff to change and co-create the curriculum set of guiding principles and initiatives to support climate justice.


 Commit to full carbon neutrality from direct emissions by 2032, which will reduce thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions.

 Set ambitious Science-Based Targets to avoid climate breakdown through charting an emissions reduction pathway for decarbonizing within a fair share of the Global Carbon Budget.

 Reduce direct sources of CO2 emissions through effective management in addition to reducing waste.

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Vision

To deliver excellent interdisciplinary research, experimental education, and civic engagement whilst reducing our negative impact on the environment and supporting the achievement of Jordan's commitments toward the Paris Agreement (Nationally Determined Contribution NDC~ 31% reduction target) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 indicators.

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Goals

Goal 1:

Net zero emissions from Scope 1 direct emissions by 2032.

Scope 1 Emissions:

Building onsite energy use (e.g., space heating and building refrigerants).

The fuel consumed by the university's owned and leased vehicles.

Goal 2:

Reduce national grid electricity use by 10% as a minimum by 2027 compared to 2019 levels, with the intention to support further reductions through renewable energy generation and energy efficiency projects.

Scope 2 Emissions:

 Indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by the university.

Goal 3:

Reduce generated waste in operations (Scope 3- indirect emissions)

Goal 4:

Develop an offset program to balance the negative output of the university's carbon footprint.

(Planting trees)

Goal 5:

Raise awareness and build a carbon community with our staff and student population, including engagement with target and action plan setting.

Goal 6:

Be actively involved in projects that seek to encourage and enable large-scale carbon reduction and promote low carbon transmissions in the city and nationally.

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Key Priorities

  • All heat and power will come from renewable clean sources.
  • Owned vehicles to be zero-emission electric vehicles.
  • Replacement program for F gas containing equipment.
  • Reduce heat and cooling power demand.

Waste generation will be reduced and there will be an increase in material recycling and reuse.

     Incentivize sustainable modes of transport for student and staff commuting.

     Reduce travel emissions with a switch to cleaner modes of transport, and implement offset programs that involve planting trees.

     Water use will be reduced with a focus on harvesting of rainwater and water consumption efficiency equipment.

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Monitoring and Reporting

The climate action plan outlines how we aim to deliver these GHG reduction targets in 2027 and through to 2032 (from all scope emissions). The climate action plan will go through a process of annual review to track progress against the goals and also update the actions and projects as technology and best practice develops. The actions from the implementation plan will feed through into the annual process of business planning, and faculties and professional services will be required to discuss how to align their activities with the 2030–50 national goals.