Climate Action Plan 2026
The Climate Action Plan 2026 marks Aarhus University’s next step in its efforts to reduce its climate footprint and resource consumption. The action plan was developed under the aegis of the university’s Strategy 2030, in which sustainability is integrated into AU’s overall strategy under the focus area ‘Spearheading sustainable development’.
As a public-sector institution as well as a workplace for thousands of students and employees, AU is committed to reducing the climate footprint of its own operations and promoting sustainable choices and practices throughout the organisation – from laboratories and procurement to construction and campus life. AU is also committed to taking on an even greater role in the green transition – not only through research and education but also through its own practices.
The climate action plan translates the university’s ambition to be/become a sustainable organisation into concrete actions selected with a focus on climate impact, organisational buy-in and potential for lasting change. The plan builds on the lessons learned from the 2020–25 climate strategy and the associated action plans. The plan is also intended as a management tool to facilitate the implementation of the university’s climate efforts in 2026.
| Strategic focus area | Spearheading sustainable development |
| Strategic initiative 2026 | A sustainable organisation |
| Overall goal | Aarhus University will reduce its own climate footprint and resource consumption and develop a more sustainable organization. The university will integrate sustainable solutions throughout the organisation by building on existing initiatives and implementing ambitious new initiatives that promote the climate and environmentally-friendly development of the university’s operations and growth. |
| Actions | Action 1: Certification and sustainability in laboratories Action 2: Greater focus on sustainability in the university’s procurement Action 3: Increased recycling of building materials, fixtures and tableware Action 4: AU Viborg – academic growth without increasing our climate footprint |
Certification and sustainability in laboratories
Certification and sustainability in laboratories
Laboratories are among the most resource-intensive facilities at Aarhus University. In 2025, a LEAF pilot trial was carried out at Health involving five laboratories. The evaluation showed a high level of motivation and commitment among the participating units, and several laboratories subsequently expressed an interest in taking part. LEAF has been assessed to be a relevant, useful platform that supports a more systematic approach to sustainability in day-to-day laboratory operations.
The long-term goal is for all relevant laboratories at AU to earn a sustainability certification. This is because certification supports and documents that laboratories are taking systematic steps to reduce their climate and environmental impact, and that they have integrated sustainability into their operations.
In 2026, LEAF certification will be rolled out at all faculties. The aim is for a significant number of laboratories to achieve at least bronze level. Laboratories with the capacity and commitment will be encouraged to work towards for silver or gold accreditation, which will give AU experience with the higher certification levels.
Greater focus on sustainability in the university’s procurement
Greater focus on sustainability in the university’s procurement
AU’s procurement accounts for a significant proportion of the university’s overall climate footprint and environmental impact. Given the many purchasing decisions made on a daily basis, AU has significant potential to promote sustainability through its procurement processes and contracts. The procurement policy, which came into force in 2024, marks a strategic shift towards more sustainable choices. To achieve this goal, a cultural shift is required; we must begin taking sustainability into account as a matter of course, on a par with price and quality. This action will help encourage this development and ensure that sustainability is integrated into procurement practices across the organisation.
In the long term, AU will work towards a procurement culture in which sustainability is weighted equally with quality and cost-effectiveness. Purchasers have access to relevant information on climate and environmental impacts, and green choices are actively supported in the decision-making process.
In 2026, AU will take concrete steps to integrate sustainability more fully into its procurement practices. The university will operationalise its new procurement policy, test methods for assessing climate and environmental impact in selected tenders, and make it easier for purchasers to identify solutions with a lower climate and environmental impact. This will provide a stronger foundation on which purchasers and managers can make informed decisions about climate and environmental impact– and for the further development of a procurement culture in which sustainability is a strategic consideration.
Increased reuse of building materials, furnishings and tableware
Increased reuse of building materials, furnishings and tableware
Reuse is an effective way to reduce resource consumption and climate footprint. AU has identified significant potential for increasing the reuse of building materials, furnishings and canteen tableware. The reuse of building materials can complement the university’s focus on conservation rather than new construction. AU ReUse is the university’s digital reuse portal for the internal reuse of equipment and furnishings, but it needs to be widely used to have an impact. In canteen operations, options for reusing tableware are being explored in collaboration with Aarhus Municipality, for example the REUSABLE cup scheme.
In the long term, AU aims to reduce its climate footprint and environmental impact by integrating reuse into construction projects, handling of furnishings and canteen operations, so that recycling becomes the natural first choice wherever it is climate- and resource-efficient.
In 2026, AU will identify categories of materials with high potential for reuse in construction projects and draw up recommendations for integration. Surplus equipment and furnishings will be systematically uploaded to AU ReUse in cases in which there are no existing plans for their use use, and it will be decided whether internal exchange of used laboratory equipment will become a permanent feature of the platform. In addition, options for reusing tableware in canteens will be explored, and support will be provided for our partnership with Aarhus Municipality on the REUSABLE initiative.
AU Viborg – academic growth without an increased climate footprint
AU Viborg – academic growth without an increased climate footprint
AU Viborg has particular potential to test and document how research into agriculture and energy can be translated into practice with a lower climate footprint. The campus is home to both agricultural production and energy infrastructure, and focused efforts are being made to reduce CO₂ emissions. This action links research projects with day-to-day operations, in order to enable the campus to develop academically without a corresponding increase in its carbon footprint.
In the long term, AU Viborg will demonstrate how the university can grow academically without increasing its CO₂ emissions. The campus will serve as a testing ground for reducing climate footprint and as a centre of expertise for the green transition in the agricultural sector.
In 2026, AU Viborg will analyse the possibilities for integrating solar panels and batteries into the campus’s energy infrastructure. At the same time, the green transformation of agricultural operations will continue, based on relevant research projects designed to contribute to CO₂ reduction and improved energy efficiency.