European University – The Business School in Barcelona, Spain
Think global. Act local. European University Barcelona understands that environmental responsibility and sound business practices go hand in hand. By teaching future leaders to be entrepreneurial but also ethical, EU Business School Barcelona is creating a generation of socially responsible business professionals: the ecopreneurs.
European University Barcelona is committed to the three P’s of environmentally sound business practices: People, Planet and Performance. Whether by renewing current sustainability strategies or rolling out new green initiatives, EU Business School Barcelona promotes a critical awareness in its students, faculty and staff as they work together towards the environmentally sustainable classroom, business and world.
The FAQs below provide some insight into EU’s commitment to reduce its environmental footprint. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact environment@euruni.edu.
How does EU integrate environmental issues in its research and teaching?
What measures is EU taking to reduce electricity use?
How does EU promote alternative energy sources and new technologies?
What is EU doing to reduce paper use?
What is EU doing about its carbon footprint?
How can students get involved in reducing EU’s environmental footprint?
What is being done to encourage faculty, staff and students to use public transportation?
How does EU integrate environmental issues in its research and teaching?
European University Barcelona Faculty have outstanding research credentials and practical experience as environmentally conscious business leaders since the 1980s. Their qualifications relate directly to the curriculum, covering such significant topics as sustainable tourism, business ethics, environmental supply-chain management and green technology. Faculty can also draw on working knowledge of financial analysis of the renewable energy sector, the reduction of CO2 emissions and recycling. Building on this solid practical and academic foundation, EU Business School Barcelona moves into the next decade with new academic programs in Green Management.
Aware that few businesses are immune to environmental risks, environmental issues are also strongly integrated throughout European University Barcelona’s core educational programs. Modules focus on environmental challenges faced by businesses, analyze different strategies and propose solutions. Industrial visits to recycling plants such as SATOM (Switzerland) provide in-depth, practical insight.
What measures is EU taking to reduce electricity use?
Following a workplace Eco-Assessment evaluation across its campuses, European University Barcelona continues to monitor air conditioning use and in 2009 EU Business School Barcelona made efficiency upgrade improvements to its system, significantly reducing electricity consumption. Air conditioning is turned off in unused classrooms during the day and completely overnight. These steps are reducing electricity consumption by up to 25 percent daily.
All study areas are lit by low-consumption strip lighting and efficient fluorescent light bulbs are in use wherever possible. EU Business School Barcelona encourages its students to switch off lights when not required and to actively save energy (e.g. by setting their laptops to standby rather than leaving them idle when not in use).
How does EU promote alternative energy sources and new technologies?
Faculty members profile alternative energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric, wind power and geothermal energy throughout the curriculum.
European University continues to monitor new alternative energy technologies including advances in biofuels, eco-friendly batteries and associated technologies, revising its curriculum and formulating new green initiatives based on its findings.
What is EU doing to reduce paper use?
Campuses use washable hand towels, which eliminates paper waste, packaging, and saves on the cost and environmental impact of transport. All course content is available on the European University Barcelona intranet and the university promotes the use of laptops to take class notes.
European University Barcelona has had a recycling program in place for many years. While most recycling is invisible as the sorting is done at the garbage collection center, campuses have recycling stations where different types of waste (paper, glass, plastic, batteries etc.) are collected. In addition, all teaching areas have bins for recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
What is EU doing about its carbon footprint?
The school conducted its most recent Eco Assessment study in 2009. A more comprehensive study is currently underway with European University Barcelona working towards a future of carbon neutrality.
How can students get involved in reducing EU’s environmental footprint?
Many students are already involved, whether coordinating directly with management or via dedicated student board representatives. Student boards also provide a forum of discussion for energy and environment related issues for the global EU Business School Barcelona community.
The latest green initiative commenced after the most recent intake of European University Barcelona students, who, together with staff, are showcasing their contributions and dedication to a greener campus and world via events, social gatherings and online media. Some of their recommendations include:
- Setting printer default settings to print double-sided.
- Considering whether printing is essential: share electronic files, voicemail and e-mail with colleagues instead of creating paper memos.
- Using scrap paper or - even better - a laptop to take notes instead of using notebooks or paper products.
- Turning off non-essential and decorative lighting, especially in unoccupied areas such as restrooms, conference rooms, printer/photocopier rooms etc.
- Bringing a re-usable water bottle to use at water coolers or a mug for hot beverages at drinks dispensers.
- Sharing unused or unwanted office supplies with other departments.
- Putting on a sweater rather than turn the heating up.
- Traveling by bicycle if possible. If not, using public transport, car-pooling or sharing taxis with colleagues.
- Using stairs rather than elevators. Elevators are high energy users, and especially inefficient when climbing only one or two floors. It is also good exercise!
What is being done to encourage faculty, staff and students to use public transportation?
European University Barcelona’s campus is located by public transportation links, promoting sustainable transport with low impact on the environment.