Route Zero

0t CO 2e
Energy related Carbon Emissions scope 1 and 2

2023

0+
People directly engaged through the project

2024

0
research publication addressing climate change science topics

2023

0
courses addressing climate change science topics

2023

A journey into our climate commitment

Since last quarter of 2023, NOVA has been laying the technical and organizational groundwork to support the commitment to becoming a Net Zero and Climate Resilient University, in alignment with the Paris Agreement ambition. The Route Zero project is a two-year initiative to assess, project, and select cost-effective options to achieve these goals. Route Zero will set NOVA emissions future pathway towards net zero goal through a detailed roadmap.

Route Zero encapsulates NOVA’s vision of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) as hubs of knowledge, innovation, and partnerships for climate action. Through the mobilization of NOVA community, stakeholders, and peers, the project aims to drive systemic transformation across infrastructure, institutional processes, and collective behaviors. We invite everyone to join this journey and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and actions needed to achieve our ambitious goals.

Making of

2023
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September

Setting the strategy, key components and governance model
Detailed structuring of project goals, tasks  and responsabilities

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October

Co-creation sessions with representatives from each School
Validating the project scope and ambition, and identifying priorities

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November

Involvement of  internal and external teams
Atributing responsabilities to internal teams and contracting external services

2024
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January

Setting the groundwork for emissions inventory and tool
Regular meetings with NOVA services, at the Rectory level

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Project naming and graphic identity

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February

Setting the communication and engagement strategy
Identifying the goals, priorities and activities to mobilize NOVA community and stakeholders

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Starting NOVA Climate Risk assessment
Raising awareness of climate risk for NOVA activities and identfying  past episodes

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March

Setting emissions inventory boundaries and activities
Defining the scope, listing activities and variables

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Student Bootcamp on Climate Action at NOVA

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May

Visioning exercise to project NOVA Schools for 2040
Setting the methodology to project the evolution of GHG emissions, taking into account expected future development plans

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INNOVA information system
Feedback and discussion with staff from technical services  at each NOVA School

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July

Launching Route Zero dedicated webpage
Disseminating and sharing of contents and tools with national HEIs

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Developing NOVA Climate Risk assessment
Identifying and selecting methodologies and setting the strategy.

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October

Assessing cost-effective decarbonization options
Evaluating on-going projects and identifying new measures and projects

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#1st Route Zero Conference
Engaging with national HEIs
Discussing new models to finance the climate transition  in higher education

2025
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February

INNOVA information system
Results on GHG inventory for base year 2023 

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NOVA Schools in 2040
Results on GHG emissions projections in 2040

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March

Route Zero workshops
14th-  How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of  your HEI | 28th- How to Project the Carbon Footprint of  your HEI   

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April

Route Zero workshop
11th | How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of  your HEI, creating value and impact

May

June

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July

#2nd Route Zero Conference
Engaging with national HEIs
Collaborating for the climate transition  in higher education

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Publication of the Roadmap of actions for
NOVA Climate Neutrality & Resilience

After 2025
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Monitoring
Reporting
Improving

reaching

Reaching
Net Zero Target

Making of

Resources Library

Please check this page regularly for new content

HEI and Climate Action


Explores the link between climate action, the SDGs and HEIs´ missions.

Why HEIs must commit to Climate Action

Gives insights on what could be the purpose, goals, structure and components of a climate neutrality and resilience Roadmap for HEIs.

O que é um Roteiro para a Neutralidade e Resiliência Climática

(available in March)

Provides an overview on what needs to be considered and secured prior to starting the development of a Climate Action Plan or Roadmap, including resources and capacity building.


(available in June)

Details the importance and steps to define a transparent and widely recognized structure of competences, responsibilities and accountability.

Climate Change Mitigation


Lists and defines the most frequently used concepts related to climate change mitigation (e.g., GHG emissions, carbon neutrality, net zero, carbon positive, carbon sequestration).

Concepts on Climate Change Mitigation

(available in March)

  • Details the technical basis for setting a GHG emissions inventory in accordance to Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standard, focusing on what is material for HEIs.
  • Provides step-by-step guidance on the functionalities of the software tool created to gather, process and visualize the data.

(available in March)

Gives an overview of the methodology used to project medium to long-term evolution of GHG emissions considering future activities and assets.


(available in April)

Provides insights on the identification and prioritisation of different decarbonization options, considering projected emissions. Includes topics such as cost-effectiveness analysis and financing requirements.


(available in May)

Provides an overview of how to design alternative pathways to reach net zero, considering the lifespan of current assets, the opportunity for new investments and the HEI’s overall strategy.

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience


Lists and explains key concepts for Climate Change Resilience in the context of HEI activities (e.g.,  climate events, climate hazards, climate risk, exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity, resilience and contingency plans).

Adaptação e Resiliência às alterações Climáticas- Conceitos

(available in May)

Explores the Future Proofing methodology used to assess climate risks.


(available in May)

Provides an overview of the process of developing a Climate Change Resilience Plan for one of NOVA schools, including the principles for adaptive management, selecting technical and technological solutions and engaging with key stakeholders in territorial management.

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