Carbon Neutrality Commitment and Target Year
Sakarya University is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2053, in alignment with Türkiye’s national net-zero vision. The University’s carbon management framework is implemented through its Sustainable University Policy, Energy Policy, and the digital monitoring platform SAUCO₂ (Sustainable Carbon Tracking System). Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated and reported using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol framework.
Türkiye’s National Climate Action Framework (2024-2030)
Türkiye ratified the Paris Agreement in October 2021, and the Agreement entered into force for Türkiye on 10 November 2021. Türkiye also announced its 2053 net-zero emissions target, establishing a national framework for long-term decarbonization and climate action. Türkiye has demonstrated its commitment to combating climate change both by setting a net zero emission target and by joining the Paris Agreement. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye published two key national policy documents the “Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)” and the “Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)” establishing the country’s roadmap for a low-carbon and climate-resilient future. These plans include cross-sectoral strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in energy, industry, buildings, transport, agriculture, waste, and land use, while also promoting adaptation and resilience in water management, food systems, ecosystems, and urban planning.
Aligned with Türkiye’s Net Zero 2053 target, the framework introduces integrated policies for a just transition, carbon pricing and emissions trading systems, green finance, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms with clearly defined institutional responsibilities and performance indicators. This national strategy encourages universities and local governments to implement climate mitigation and adaptation projects. In this context, Sakarya University’s initiatives on renewable energy, energy efficiency, disaster risk management, and public awareness directly contribute to achieving Türkiye’s national climate goals.
Long-Term National Strategy and Climate Legislation
Türkiye’s 2053 Long-Term Climate Strategy, submitted to the UNFCCC in November 2024, provides a long-term framework for mitigation, adaptation, technology development and capacity building. The Climate Law No. 7552, published on 9 July 2025, establishes the national legal framework for climate action.
Institutional Framework and Strategy
The University’s Carbon Neutrality Strategy was adopted as part of the Sustainable University Policy, emphasizing measurable emission reduction, renewable energy transition, and divestment from carbon-intensive investments. The strategy establishes a clear roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality through five major action areas:
Measurement and GHG Protocol Implementation
Annual carbon footprint calculations are performed through the SAUCO₂ Platform, which collects verified data on energy, water, and emissions from each faculty and administrative unit.
For the 2025 reporting year, Sakarya University’s published greenhouse gas inventory reports 1,694 tCO₂e for Scope 1 and Scope 2 combined and 85 tCO₂e for the reported Scope 3 sources. Scope 1 includes fuel consumption for heating and university-owned vehicles. Electricity-related Scope 2 emissions are reported as zero, supported by I-REC certification. The reported Scope 3 sources include non-university-owned vehicles, water consumption and domestic waste.
Renewable Electricity and Scope 2 Accounting
Sakarya University supports its renewable electricity strategy through on-site renewable energy generation and International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs). Its 2025 greenhouse gas inventory reports zero electricity-related Scope 2 emissions, supported by I-REC certification. These certificates document renewable electricity attributes and support market-based Scope 2 accounting, subject to the requirements of the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance.
The Divestment Policy prohibits new investments in coal and oil projects, while prioritizing R&D and partnerships in clean-energy sectors. The University’s Energy Efficient Renovation and Construction Policy ensures that all new buildings and retrofits comply with the Energy Efficiency Law No. 5627, the Green Certification Regulation for Buildings and Settlements, and the Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2024-2030.
Low-Carbon Transportation and Off-Campus Actions
Sakarya University supports low-carbon mobility through electric vehicle charging stations, shared bicycles, electric scooters and pedestrian-priority routes. Its campus transport initiatives also include free intra-campus transport, staff shuttle services and cooperation with Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality to encourage alternatives to private cars. Electric vehicles receive free campus vehicle permits, while electric service vehicles are used for distributing documents and materials between university units. These measures support the reduction of fossil-fuel vehicle use in campus operations and commuting.
The University’s 2025 greenhouse gas emission reduction programme also documents cargo lockers outside the campus, designed to limit delivery-vehicle entry, and participation in European Mobility Week through weekend vehicle restrictions. Alongside transport measures, the Zero Waste Project promotes waste prevention, reuse, source separation and recycling, supporting the management of indirect emissions associated with resource consumption and waste disposal.
Education, Research, and Innovation for Carbon Neutrality
Sakarya University combines climate education, industry engagement and clean-energy research to support its carbon neutrality pathway. In 2025, its “Green Transformation in Industry” discussion, organised within the Science Talks Series in cooperation with TOKAS, brought industry experience into university discussions on carbon emissions reduction, sustainable automotive production, resource conservation and responsible consumption. The programme featured Bülent Yazıcı, Vice Chairman of Ecoplas Automotive.
The 2025 Sustainable Future Meetings further addressed greenhouse gas emissions, consumption patterns, water scarcity, nature-based solutions and circularity. These discussions connected climate science with everyday resource-use decisions and strengthened awareness of the behavioural changes relevant to decarbonization.
Research activities include energy storage, hydrogen technologies and battery recycling, including the Horizon Europe FREE4LIB Project and the 100% Hydrogen-Fuelled Boiler Design and Prototype Production Project, undertaken with Daikin Türkiye under the TÜBİTAK 1505 University-Industry Cooperation Support Programme. These projects advance technologies relevant to clean heating, renewable energy integration and circular material use.
A further 2025 research output was an active battery management technology protected by three national patents, developed by Prof. Dr. Uğur Arifoğlu and doctoral researcher Ümit Pekparlak. The technology is designed to maintain batteries within manufacturers’ recommended operating conditions, extend battery service life and improve the sustainability of energy storage systems used alongside renewable generation.
Student-led initiatives, including SAITEM’s solar, electric and hydrogen vehicle projects, complement this research through practical experience in energy-efficient mobility and clean-energy engineering. The University also supports sustainability-focused entrepreneurship through Sakarya Teknokent, connecting research and innovation with wider low-carbon technology development.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Progress toward carbon neutrality is monitored annually through the SAUCO₂ dashboard and reviewed by the Energy Management Committee. The system identifies high-consumption buildings, guides retrofit priorities, and tracks improvements in emission intensity (kg CO₂e/m²). Each year, the Committee prepares a Carbon Reduction Progress Report submitted to the Rectorate.
Target and Long-Term Vision
Sakarya University’s target year for achieving carbon neutrality is 2053. Progress towards this target is supported by annual emissions reporting, energy efficiency improvements, renewable electricity procurement, sustainable mobility and research on low-carbon technologies. The University’s Climate Action Plan provides the institutional framework for coordinating these activities and monitoring progress.
