Sustainability at Business Academy Aarhus

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

Since 2022, Business Academy Aarhus has had a Climate Council consisting of students, employees, and managers. The Climate Council, which meets four times a year, aims to promote green transition at the Academy.

The tasks are, for example, to:

• take the initiative for focus areas, activities, and indicators and follow up on these
• propose interdisciplinary climate initiatives to the management
• manage any separate funds allocated for climate initiatives
• coordinate with the Facility department, the project manager for the study environment and the academy council
• create ownership of climate initiatives among employees and students at the Academy

What is the next step?

The Climate Council is continuously working on initiatives to promote – and raise awareness of – green transition at the Academy.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

The academy works with ESG accounting as part of a pilot project. The pilot project is supported by Frascati funds from our research department.

What is the next step?

The pilot project is still in process. When the results are ready, the experience will form the basis for further work with sustainability at the Academy.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

We can regulate heating and cooling centrally at all addresses. We can time-regulate the temperature in the evening, at weekends and during holiday periods.

We have hour-to-hour monitoring of our consumption of electricity, water and heating, so we can quickly stop any overconsumption - for example if a toilet runs.

Our campuses at Ringvej Syd 104 and Sønderhøj 7G are certified silver by DGNB. This means that the buildings meet a number of specified requirements for sustainability.

The Clevertouch screens in our classrooms automatically go on standby. All screens are checked by our cleaners and facility services who switch them off manually if they are not on standby.

Printers are set to automatically switch off so that during the night they go completely to sleep and do not use any unnecessary power.

What is the next step?

We expect that Sønderhøj 11 will be certified gold by DGNB at the beginning of 2025.

We are investing in a new system for energy monitoring so that we can monitor our consumption even better. The new system can deliver reports that can provide information to our employees and students via our info screens. In this way, our energy consumption becomes more visible to everyone.  And that can create an incentive to minimise consumption.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

There are many people at the Academy every single day. It is important that the indoor climate is adapted to this.

Temperature: Temperature and air quality are important for a good indoor climate. The temperature in most classrooms is controlled centrally so that ventilation and cooling are controlled by the temperature. Automatic outdoor solar screening has been installed at several buildings – most recently at Sønderhøj 30 (C section) – so that the sun is not a nuisance and the premises are not heated inappropriately. Solar screening ensures a stable temperature and that a minimum amount of cooling is needed. Where there is no solar screening, there are curtains that have the same effect.

Lighting: In our newer buildings, the brightness is automatically regulated in relation to the light from outside. In some rooms, it is possible to switch parts of the lighting on/off.

Noise: Noise-absorbing linoleum has been used to ensure maximum silence in hallways. In rooms where the acoustics are not optimal, acoustic panels have been installed to improve the indoor climate.

Smoking: Business Academy Aarhus is smoke-free – inside and in the immediate vicinity of our buildings. Ashtrays are provided where smoking is allowed, for example in the area in front of Sønderhøj 30 and 11. 

What is the next step?

To optimise the conditions in the individual classrooms, they are remodelled as required, so that they can accommodate both large and small classes (e.g. the possibility of dividing with mobile walls). When the classrooms can be adapted to the individual classes, we can also ensure better utilisation of available square metres.

Sønderhøj 30 is an older building, and we are therefore looking at the need and possibilities for improving ventilation and temperature control.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

We only have LED or energy-saving lighting at the Academy. All lighting in all our classrooms has been replaced with LED. The switch from traditional light sources to LED saves 12 W per fixture, and provides 40% more light and a 30% longer lighting time.

A large part of the lighting is controlled via motion sensors so that the lights switch off when there is no activity in a room.

The lighting in the corridors is controlled centrally. Between 4:00 PM and 7:30 AM on weekdays, on weekends and during holiday periods, only 1/3 of the lights are on. Between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm on weekdays, only 2/3 of the lights are on.

What is the next step?

There are currently no additional lighting activities planned. But we are always aware of the opportunities to save. For example, we continuously set up new PIR sensors as needed.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

We have solar panels at Ringvej Syd 104, Sønderhøj 30 (the system also covers Sønderhøj 11) and Sønderhøj 7G.

Overall, we cover approximately 11% of our electricity consumption via solar panels.

At Ringvej Syd and at Sønderhøj 7G we cover approx. 27% of our electricity consumption is via solar panels.

The solar panel system on the roof of Sønderhøj 30 was installed in the summer of 2024. Therefore, we do not yet know how much of the electricity consumption at Sønderhøj 30 and 11 the panels will provide.

What is the next step?

Solar panels are currently installed on all roofs where possible. There are therefore currently no plans to install additional solar panels.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

To promote the use of bicycles as a primary means of transportation, we have expanded the number of bicycle parking spaces on campus. In connection with the construction of a new parking area around Sønderhøj 11, space for bicycle parking has been included.

At Sønderhøj 30 (by the main entrance) and at Ringvej Syd 104 (by the goods elevator), we have established bicycle pumping stations. At the reception at both addresses you can get a small repair kit if you need to patch a puncture, for example.

We have established 2 charging stations from Clever in the parking lot at Ringvej Syd 104. In the parking lot at Sønderhøj 30, there are also 4 charging stations from Clever that students and employees can use.

The facilities department uses an electric car whilst at work.

What is the next step?

Currently no further measures planned.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

About 75% of our cleaning products are Eco labelled. It is currently not possible to get up to 100% as we need specific products to ensure optimal cleaning.

In general, furniture and floor coverings are purchased based on a requirement that they are easy to clean and maintain with the cleaning products we want to use – i.e. those with the environmental and Nordic Ecolabel.

There is a BWT system in the cleaning room at Sønderhøj 30. This system softens the water, which extends the life of the linoleum on the floors. This soft water also has a positive effect when washing floors.

What is the next step?

We regularly screen the market for new and better products that can clean with a satisfactory result.

We are also constantly looking at whether there are new initiatives that - like the BWT system - can make our cleaning more sustainable and make the work easier for our employees.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

Our newer office furniture, chairs in group facilities/ the canteen, etc. all have a Nordic or European ECO label or other sustainability certifications. We often try to up-cycle used furniture – for example, lamps are bought used and then painted. In connection with the interior design of Sønderhøj 11 in the spring of 2024, old writing desks have been converted into round tables in classrooms.

We purchase furniture for the Academy based on common guidelines so that desks, shelves, etc. can be reused when we move or refurbish. In connection with the interior design of Sønderhøj 11 in the spring of 2024, reusing existing furniture was a priority. And sustainability is always a factor in decisions for choosing upholstery for chairs etc.

What is the next step?

The next step is to focus even more on things we already do. When purchasing new furniture, we look at green accounting and other data to ensure that we choose furniture with the least impact. In the future, we will also have an even greater focus on reusing rather than simply buying something new. 

Rather than discarding surplus furniture – or just placing it in storage – we sell it to students and employees. We also donate furniture to local primary and private schools or charities. In this way, we ensure both the recycling of resources – and better conditions for local children or people in need.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

When we purchase merchandise, we choose Danish suppliers who produce in the EU.

The need for printed brochures is carefully assessed on an ongoing basis. We use the MultiDesign Original White paper, which is FSC-certified (the world’s most ambitious global certification for responsible forestry and a guarantee for wood and paper from well-managed forests and other responsible sources).

What is the next step?

Currently no further measures planned.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

In all tenders (of which we have quite a few as we are a state-owned organisation), we incorporate a sustainability focus to ensure that our suppliers also work with green transition. We demand focus on sustainable transportation, product manufacturing and end products. We also set requirements for ethical business conduct and good working conditions for employees.

As part of the Aarhus Climate Alliance, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions in Aarhus, we have been involved in an initiative to minimise the number of deliveries of office supplies. We have gone from having office supplies delivered ‘as required’ - which was often twice a week - to having them delivered to a shared warehouse once every two weeks. This minimises transportation, unpacking time and the processing of invoices. The 10 public institutions in Aarhus that are part of the initiative have reduced their deliveries from Lyreco by 10%. Business Academy Aarhus has gone from 135 deliveries in 2019 to 24 deliveries in 2023 – without any problems. Read more about the initiative here (only in Danish).

What is the next step?

We want to reduce the delivery of office supplies to once a month. This requires that all of us think ahead and avoid ad hoc orders.

We are also working towards a lower consumption of office supplies in general – and towards putting together a more sustainable range and consumption.

We are looking at how we can consolidate smaller purchases into larger orders and deliveries.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

In the canteen, we reduce food waste in the following ways:

• We sell excess food from the employee buffet to employees
• We sell takeaway bags of excess food after closing time from the sales canteens to students and employees.
• We strive to calculate the right amount of food for events, parties and daily operations.

What is the next step?

In 2025, we will continue to focus on the above - and in this way ensure a continued reduction in food waste in the canteen.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

The canteen has a bronze label for organic food. This indicates that 30-60% of the canteen’s food and beverage purchases are organic.

In addition to focusing on organic products, the canteen also focuses on using local ingredients, including seasonal Danish fruit and vegetables.

What is the next step?

We expect to maintain the bronze label.

We plan to further increase the use of local raw materials in the coming years.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

Plastic cutlery and containers, for example for the salad bar, have been replaced with biodegradable products.

In 2023, the canteen also invested in porcelain bowls – and encourages everyone to use them for salads and hot dishes.

By the end of 2023, the canteen had reduced its use of plastic by approximately 50% compared to its use in 2021.

What is the next step?

We will continue to work to reduce the use of plastic. And generally focus on sustainable solutions for disposable packaging.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

The Academy produces approximately 80 tons of waste per year.

All students and staff must sort their waste. Waste stations have conveniently been set up at several places, so it is always easy to sort your waste correctly. Instructions are posted at all waste stations to show everyone how to sort correctly. At all campuses, we sort these types of waste:

• Cardboard/paper
• General waste
• Glass
• Bio-waste
• Hazardous Waste
• Electronic scrap
• Batteries
• Metal
• Hard plastic
• Cardboard
• Soft plastic

60% of the approximately 80 tons of waste per year is recycled through sorting (approximately 46 tons). The remaining 40% are incinerated (approximately 32 tons).

What is the next step?

We place great emphasis on ensuring that all waste is sorted correctly – so that waste for incineration is minimised. We therefore participate in events that focus on sorting and minimising the amount of waste.

The Facility department also participates in teaching to raise awareness about waste sorting - and to get input from students on how waste sorting can be made even easier.

What we are doing today - and what does this mean?

Waste sorting results in less need for waste collection. Some waste is only collected on request, so the rubbish trucks do not come to empty or half-empty containers.

What is the next step?

We are working to further reduce the amount of waste so that we can limit the number of weekly waste collections.

We are also working to get an even larger amount of waste correctly sorted, as this will also have a beneficial effect on the number of waste collections.