Commitment to Carbon Neutral University

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has publicly committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, in alignment with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and the ISO 14068-1:2023 Carbon Neutrality Standard. This commitment applies across all campuses and operations and is formally endorsed by the university’s senior leadership.

The target year and implementation approach are publicly disclosed through the university’s sustainability webpages, institutional strategy documents, and external certification and recognition platforms, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Amrita’s carbon neutrality target explicitly covers Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions (full), defined using a value-chain and life-cycle boundary, consistent with the GHG Protocol and ISO requirements. Scope 3 emissions are included within the carbon neutrality target, with reduction, removal, and mitigation actions integrated into the 2030 pathway.

Scope 1 – Direct Emissions

• On-site fuel combustion (including diesel generators)
• Institutional vehicle fleet
• Laboratory and process emissions

Scope 2 – Indirect Energy Emissions

• Purchased electricity and energy used across campuses
• Reported using both location-based and market-based methods

Scope 3 – Value-Chain Emissions (Full Coverage)

• Student and staff commuting
• Business travel
• Procurement and capital goods
• Construction and infrastructure
• Waste and wastewater treatment
• Water supply and treatment
• Digital and outsourced services

This comprehensive boundary ensures inclusion of both upstream and downstream emissions, meeting the criteria for full Scope 3 coverage.

Amrita has adopted a science-based, phased pathway toward carbon neutrality, aligned with IPCC and IEA trajectories and the ISO reduction hierarchy: Reduce → Remove → Offset (last resort).

Phase 1: Baseline and Rapid Reduction (2024–2026)

• University-wide GHG inventory using ISO 14064-1 / GHG Protocol-consistent methods
• Identification of major emission hotspots
• Immediate efficiency improvements and fossil-fuel reduction

Phase 2: Deep Decarbonisation (2026–2029)

• Large-scale renewable energy deployment
• Electrification of transport and equipment
• Low-carbon procurement and circular-economy systems
• Expansion of campus-based nature-based carbon removal projects

Phase 3: Carbon Neutrality Achievement (2030)

• Residual emissions only
• Use of high-integrity carbon removal credits, where unavoidable
• Public carbon-neutrality claim supported by verified reporting

To deliver the 2030 target, Amrita has established a Carbon Neutrality Management Framework, including:

• A University-level Carbon Neutrality Management Committee
• Campus-level sustainability cells
• Annual review, monitoring, and corrective-action mechanisms
• Interim emission-reduction targets reviewed every 3–5 years

Key measures supporting the carbon neutrality commitment include:

• Expansion of on-site and off-site renewable energy, with 4 MW of renewable capacity added
• Reduction in diesel generator dependence from 1130 GJ (2021) to 617 GJ (2024)
• Energy-efficient buildings, HVAC retrofits, and LED and sensor-based lighting
• Real-time energy and emissions monitoring systems
• Digitalisation initiatives to reduce travel-related emissions

By 2024, Amrita had achieved approximately 65% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across the university’s major campuses, compared to baseline levels.

Amrita complements direct emissions reduction with verified nature-based carbon removal, contributing to Scope 3 mitigation through:

• Campus afforestation and sacred grove restoration
• Soil-carbon enhancement and blue-carbon initiatives, including seaweed cultivation
• Community-based ecosystem regeneration through Live-in-Labs® and Jivamritam, integrating:
  • Agroforestry
  • Watershed management
  • Biodiversity restoration

Only activities with measurable and durable carbon sequestration are counted toward removal, consistent with ISO 14068-1 principles.

Amrita has committed to:

• Annual public reporting on progress toward the 2030 carbon neutrality target
• Transparent disclosure of emissions, reductions, removals, and offsets
• Third-party verification aligned with ISO 14064-3
• Continuous improvement through verified monitoring systems

Amrita’s carbon neutrality efforts are supported by independent, publicly recognised certifications and awards, including:

• IGBC Platinum Green Campus Certification
• LEED Gold Certification (Faridabad Campus, 2024)
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification
• Green Gown Awards
• Times Higher Education Asia Award – Environmental Leadership