Commitment to Carbon Neutral University (Year: 2024)
Target and Public Commitment
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.
Scopes Covered (GHG Protocol)
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.
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.
Carbon Neutrality Pathway (Target Year: 2030)
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
Implementation and Governance
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
Emission Reduction Measures (2024 Progress)
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.
Nature-Based Carbon Removal and Scope 3 Mitigation
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.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification
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
Recognition and Public Validation
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
Carbon Neutrality Roadmap
Milestone
Target Year
Scope
Status
Reduction of grid dependency to ~30%
2025
Scope 2
On track
Carbon neutrality target
2030
Scopes 1, 2 & 3 (full)
In progress
Transition toward 100% renewable energy
2035
Energy systems
In progress
Commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2030
A New Pathway in Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Journey (2024) In 2024, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham reaffirmed and expanded its institutional commitment to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2030, in alignment with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. This target, publicly announced during the university’s recognition under the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Platinum Green Campus Rating, reflects Amrita’s comprehensive strategy to reduce Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions across all campuses.
Public Commitment and Target Year: 2030
While Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, the university has adopted a phased renewable-energy transition strategy extending to 2035. Carbon neutrality by 2030 is pursued through a combination of direct emissions reductions (Scope 1), reductions in indirect energy emissions (Scope 2), targeted Scope 3 interventions, energy-efficiency improvements, behavioural change initiatives, and nature-based carbon offsets. The transition to 100% renewable energy represents a longer-term structural transformation of campus energy systems. Amrita has publicly declared this commitment through its Net Zero Strategy documentation, IGBC award platforms, and university-wide sustainability communications, ensuring transparency, accountability, and public visibility.
Major Achievements Supporting the Carbon Neutrality Goal (2024)
Amrita’s award of the Platinum Level IGBC Green Campus Certification continues to guide sustainability implementation across campuses in 2024. The certification demonstrates excellence in:
Low-carbon campus infrastructure
Green building design and energy efficiency
Water conservation systems
Waste minimisation and circular-economy adoption
Biodiversity enhancement and nature-positive spaces
The recognition strengthens Amrita’s Net Zero Roadmap by validating the university’s measurable reductions in carbon emissions through renewable energy adoption and sustainable campus systems
By 2024, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham had achieved an approximately 65% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions, compared to baseline levels, across select campuses, through sustained low-carbon energy investments. Key measures include large-scale solar installations, energy-efficient HVAC retrofits, smart metering and real-time energy monitoring systems, LED and sensor-based lighting upgrades, and battery storage and hybrid renewable-energy systems.
Amrita’s commitment to carbon neutrality is reinforced by long-term nature-based solutions that directly support Scope 3 carbon offsets.
Campus Transformation Over 20 Years
The Coimbatore campus—once barren land—has been transformed into a thriving biodiversity hub with:
A 5°C reduction in ambient temperature
Expanded green cover hosting exotic birds, indigenous species, and nocturnal fauna
Student-led conservation initiatives
University-Wide Nature-Positive Projects
Tree Plantation Drives: Over 1 million native trees planted globally in collaboration with Mata Amritanandamayi Math and CSOs.
Eternal Forests Programme: Greenhouses producing 100,000+ saplings twice a year for campus and community afforestation.
Global Seedball Campaign: 1 million seedballs dispersed across India and 5 continents.
Bee Conservation: Amritapuri campus recognised as Kerala’s first Bee-Friendly Campus.
These initiatives contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, climate resilience, and improved ecosystem health.
Amrita’s environmental leadership has been consistently acknowledged through national and international awards, including:
IGBC Platinum Green Campus Certification
LEED Gold Certification – Faridabad Campus (2024)
BEE Energy Efficiency Rating
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification
Green Gown Awards 2024
Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Award – Environmental Leadership
Best Clean and Green Campus Award – ISTE
These recognitions reflect the university’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and carbon reduction.
In 2024, Amrita strengthened internal governance for achieving Net Zero by:
Aligning procurement, mobility, and waste systems with Scope 3 reduction targets
Scaling behavioural programmes for students, staff, and faculty
Carbon Neutrality Roadmap (Institutional Targets)
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has adopted a phased Carbon Neutrality Roadmap, aligned with national and global climate goals. The roadmap outlines time-bound targets covering energy transition, emissions reduction, and long-term decarbonisation across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
Milestone
Target Year
Scope
Status
Reduction of grid dependency to ~30%
2025
Scope 2 (Electricity)
On track
Progress toward carbon neutrality (~65% GHG reduction from baseline)
