NOVA University Lisbon has officially approved its Roadmap for Climate Neutrality and Resilience, committing to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. This commitment is the result of two years of collaborative work involving various academic units, the Rectorate, and the Social Services, with co-funding from the Environmental Fund.
NOVA’s decision comes in a global context marked by increasingly evident climate change. In this context, NOVA recognises the crucial role of universities in the transition to a net-zero emissions economy, both through the research they conduct and the example they can set for society.
The commitment now adopted includes targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, based on best practices from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Among the main tools developed is the InNOVA system, which enables annual monitoring of the university’s emissions.
The roadmap also foresees the creation of a task force to assess the potential for on-site electricity generation, particularly through solar energy, and to explore more sustainable financing and electricity procurement models. Measures are also planned to integrate ecological criteria into public procurement processes and to promote more sustainable mobility policies.
NOVA is committed to reviewing its progress in 2028/29, assessing the impact of the actions implemented and adjusting its trajectory towards 2040. The commitment was approved by the board of directors on 15 July 2025 and reflects the University’s strategic orientation towards a more sustainable, resilient, and responsible future.