Corvinus emissions reach 5.6 thousand tonnes: first results from our decarbonisation project

The University’s annual greenhouse gas emissions amount to 5.6 thousand tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, corresponding to the consumption-based carbon footprint of nearly 700 average EU citizens (8 tonnes per capita per year). This volume is equivalent to 933 African elephants weighing 6 tonnes each, or 3,733 average passenger cars weighing 1.5 tonnes. In other terms, more than 18 million cups of coffee would be needed to exceed this weight, assuming 0.3 kilograms per cup. Reducing our carbon footprint is therefore a key priority within our sustainability efforts.  

Until now, our estimates were primarily based on energy consumption, following the methodology of the UI GreenMetric university sustainability ranking. In recent years, we have made significant progress in this area, ranking 107th globally in 2025 in the Energy and Climate Change category.  

To enable further progress, we have launched a comprehensive decarbonisation process. The first step was the development of an internationally aligned and auditable emissions inventory. Based on this greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and methodology, we are now working on defining an evidence-based pathway towards climate neutrality. This marks a milestone in our long-term sustainability strategy. The Net Zero planning process, which will be completed in 2026, will define our emission reduction targets, identify key intervention areas, and outline concrete measures to reduce our carbon footprint – contributing to global climate goals while strengthening our role as a responsible and forward-looking institution.  

Purchased goods and services as the largest source  

In the initial phase, we defined the scope of the emissions inventory, mapped available data, developed a unified calculation methodology, and calculated emissions for the base year (2024) in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). According to our first carbon footprint assessment, total institutional GHG emissions amounted to 5.6 thousand tonnes (5,591,964 kg) CO₂e in 2024.  

Of this, direct emissions (Scope 1) accounted for 1,046 tonnes, indirect emissions from energy use (Scope 2) for 1,303 tonnes, and other indirect emissions (Scope 3) for 3,243 tonnes. Scope 3 emissions represent the largest share, accounting for more than half of total emissions. Indirect activities along the value chain therefore play a key role. These include purchased goods and services (2,551 tonnes CO₂e), employee commuting (408 tonnes CO₂e), business and conference travel (161 tonnes CO₂e), and emissions related to waste generated during operations (121 tonnes CO₂e). 

These categories were identified as priority sources based on their relevance, magnitude, and strong connection to our core activities. In particular, purchased goods and services account for a significant share, highlighting the importance of procurement decisions.  

To address this, Corvinus adopted a new policy in early 2026 aimed at making procurement more sustainable. Other potential categories were also assessed but excluded where their impact was negligible or not relevant to our operations (e.g. capital goods, upstream transportation, leased assets). 

This ensures that the inventory remains both comprehensive and proportionate, focusing on the most significant emission sources and enabling effective, data-driven interventions.  

Moving into the Net Zero strategy phase  

With active student involvement, the project continues this spring within the course Strategic Responses to Climate Change, where the Net Zero strategy and decarbonisation action plan are being developed under the coordination of Ágnes Zsóka and Gyula Zilahy. Students from the one-year Master’s programme in Sustainability Management and Entrepreneurship are actively involved in the process, linking education, research, and real institutional transformation.  

A central element of the course is a practice-oriented workshop series aimed at exploring opportunities and co-developing solutions. The process includes introductory workshops on climate change, emission reduction, and energy system transitions, followed by practical sessions focusing on concrete solutions such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and decarbonisation strategies.  

Finally, innovation workshops engage students and staff in identifying challenges and developing feasible proposals. A key element of our approach is the integration of education, research, and institutional transformation. To support this, we apply innovative methods such as on-the-job learning (analysing our own operations), an interdisciplinary approach combining sustainability, finance, procurement, and strategy, as well as practice-oriented methodologies including case-based learning and feasibility assessments.  

In parallel, we analyse our energy consumption patterns and reduction potential across different scenarios, taking into account the expansion of renewable energy and improvements in energy efficiency.  

Action plan towards concrete targets and measures  

As an outcome of the process, we are developing an action plan that will include emission reduction targets based on the 2024 baseline year, priority intervention areas and concrete measures, expected emission reduction impacts and cost categories, defined responsibilities and implementation timelines, as well as a monitoring system to track progress.  

In addition to our institutional carbon footprint, we have also assessed our digital carbon footprint, the results of which are presented in a separate article. We also plan to carry out an independent audit of our carbon accounting system during the spring semester, further strengthening the credibility of our sustainability efforts.