Welcome to the VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Center. Our mission is to inspire and educate the university community about sustainability and to contribute toward a more sustainable future for both the university and Lithuania. Whether you’re a student or staff member, everyone can play a role in achieving this important goal.
About the Sustainability Hub
VILNIUS TECH has established the Sustainability Center, which integrates education, business, and research to promote sustainable development. Founded on April 3, 2023, the center includes three dedicated laboratories: the Data Modeling Space, the Eco-design Lab, and an Experimental Zone for Sustainable Consumption. These facilities allow researchers and students to conduct comprehensive studies and practical experiments, addressing real-world sustainability challenges.
What's already done
Information has been collected regarding the university’s fuel, electricity, and heat consumption. The resulting CO₂ emissions have been assessed and reported according to the GHG Protocol standard, categorized into Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Future plans also include assessing the more complex Scope 3 emissions.
The university’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for 2024 have been calculated at 545 tCO₂e/year and 3,062 tCO₂e/year respectively (Fig.). The carbon footprint is expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). These calculations were based on consumption data collected from relevant university departments and suppliers, and emission factors obtained from scientific literature and official documents (e.g., technical regulation AR_2024-05-01). A detailed webpage has been developed using PowerBI, showing the consumption distribution of fuel, water, heat, and electricity. Based on these emission results, recommendations will be made to reduce emissions and costs while promoting sustainable consumption. The university aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Fig. University resource consumption and Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions generated.
A modern photovoltaic solar power plant is installed on the roof of the VILNIUS TECH laboratory building (Plytinės str. 25). This investment contributes significantly to the University's sustainability goals through the efficient use of renewable energy resources.
39,6 kW
Electrical power
39 971 kWh
Annual energy production
429 kW
Planned total power
In total, the campus will be equipped with photovoltaic power plants with a total capacity of 429 kW, thus increasing the energy efficiency of the campus and significantly reducing environmental pollution.
Food Laboratory (Sustainable Consumption Space) is now open, where you can:
- Enjoy your self-prepared meal in a cozy, open environment;
- Use fresh herbs from the on-site sustainable garden;
- Learn about sustainable food consumption principles and ideas;
- Participate in cooking workshops and educational activities promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
At the Eco Design Laboratory, regular hands-on workshops introduce students, teachers, and staff to:
- Creative reuse and repurposing of various types of waste;
- Proper waste segregation;
- The specifics and opportunities of recycling processes.
Regular professional development courses for university staff are organized, such as “Life Cycle Thinking: Opportunities for Integration into Curriculum”, to help educators effectively integrate sustainability principles into their courses.
Additionally, innovative courses like “Life Cycle Thinking” provide a holistic understanding of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of products and processes throughout their entire life cycle—from conception and raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. These courses emphasize a systematic approach to avoiding negative environmental and social impacts while promoting responsible resource use.
A “Dėk'ui” station has been set up to encourage the reuse of items and reduce waste. Here, you can leave items you no longer need so that other community members can take them for free.
Everyone is invited to actively contribute to this initiative by donating well-maintained, unused items and giving them a second life. This initiative not only helps reduce waste but also strengthens community bonds, fosters a culture of sharing, and encourages responsible consumption.
Every contribution is important!
The VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Centre illustrates the University's commitment to integrating sustainability into its core functions, serving as a model for other institutions seeking to strengthen their sustainability initiatives.
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- Page administrators:
- Emilis Keras
- Monika Linkevič
- Ugnė Daraškevičiūtė
