Climate and the sustainable transition

Chalmers’ most important contributions are made through its core activities: research, education, utilisation and collaboration. Through these activities, Chalmers develops and shares knowledge, expertise and solutions that can help drive change in society. At the same time, its own operations have a climate impact. Chalmers monitors this impact and works to reduce it in areas where it can influence the outcome.

This work is aligned with Chalmers’ long-term strategy and its vision to be a globally outstanding university of technology for a better world. It is also guided by the Climate Framework for Higher Education Institutions, which highlights their dual role: contributing to society’s climate transition through education, research and utilisation, while also addressing the climate impact of their own operations.

Research supporting the transition

Chalmers’ research contributes both to a better understanding of climate change and its consequences and to the development of technologies, systems and solutions that can support the transition to sustainability. The research ranges from fundamental science to application and innovation, covering areas such as climate and energy, materials, mobility, production and industrial transformation.

Education supporting the transition

Education is central to Chalmers’ long-term contribution to society. Students take their knowledge, skills and ability to analyse and solve problems into businesses, the public sector, research and other parts of society.

Knowledge through collaboration

No single organisation can address major societal challenges alone. Chalmers therefore collaborates with businesses, the public sector, other higher education institutions and other stakeholders in society to develop knowledge and put it into practice.

Chalmers' climate impact

While Chalmers’ greatest opportunity to contribute to the transition lies in its core activities, its own operations require goods, services, equipment, premises, energy and travel, among other things. These give rise to greenhouse gas emissions both directly from its operations and throughout the wider value chain.

Purchasing and resources

Purchases of goods, services and equipment account for a significant share of Chalmers’ calculated climate impact. These include purchases for research, laboratory activities, IT, premises and day-to-day operations. Chalmers is therefore working to improve its understanding of the impact of purchasing and to take relevant sustainability considerations into account in procurement and purchasing. Better data and clearer supporting information make it possible to progressively prioritise actions where they can make the greatest difference.

Travel

Travel and international exchange are a natural part of Chalmers’ research, education and collaboration. At the same time, travel, particularly air travel, has a climate impact.

Energy and premises

Teaching, research and advanced laboratory environments require premises, energy and technical infrastructure. Chalmers therefore works with property owners to improve energy efficiency and optimise building operations.

Governance and monitoring

Chalmers’ sustainability work is guided by its long-term strategy, sustainability policy and the joint Climate Framework for Higher Education Institutions in Sweden. Chalmers monitors its climate impact through emissions calculations and sustainability reporting, which provide a basis for setting priorities and driving further development. Knowledge, methods and circumstances change over time. Working methods and priorities therefore also need to evolve continuously. For current targets, results and ongoing initiatives, please refer to Chalmers’ latest sustainability report and greenhouse gas emissions report.

Read more

Sustainability is a key part of Chalmers’ operations and long-term development. You can read more about our sustainability work and our climate impact in our sustainability report and our greenhouse gas emissions report. The sustainability policy sets out the overarching principles for this work, whilst our vision and long-term strategy chart the course ahead.