Sustainable Campus Policy

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has a comprehensive “Sustainable Campus Policy” that was formulated first and issued in 2020. This document has been updated over the years with the last update on 12th Nov 2024.

This Policy broadly covers the following topics related to various sustainable initiatives undertaken in all the campuses at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the policies with specific objectives which drive the initiatives.

1. Sustainable Water Policy
2. Sustainable Energy Management Policy
3. Sustainable Waste Management Policy
4. Sustainable E-Waste Management Policy
5. Divestment from Carbon-Intensive Energy Industries Policy
6. Bio-Diversity Management
7. Sustainable Transportation Policy
8. Sustainable Land Use Management
9. Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management Policy
10. Construction of Buildings
11. Green Building
12. Sustainable Department Operation
13. Green Building Certification
14. Sustainability Reporting and Accountability

Over the years, all campuses of Amrita have been rigorously assessed against the goals outlined in the Sustainable Campus Policy. This has fostered a self-driven commitment across campuses to ensure the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources while minimizing their environmental impact. 

Few of the Major Outcomes monitored and tracked and its results from the past years have been listed below : 

Summarized water consumption based on the grouped sources: 
Total Consumption data ; 222,503 

• Potable water: 128,614 m³ 
• Treated / recycled water: 93,889 m³ 

Following are the major highlights from the Waste water treatment initiatives at Amrita : 

• 80% Water Reuse: Amrita reuses 80% of its water, reducing reliance on external sources and contributing to a sustainable water cycle. 
• 1.4 Million Liters Daily STP Capacity: Three STPs with a combined capacity of 1.4 million liters per day treat wastewater efficiently without chemicals. 
• 1.3 Million Liters Daily Recycling: The STPs recycle approximately 1.3 million liters of wastewater daily for reuse in toilet flushing, arboriculture, and gardening. 
• 1,300 Kiloliters of Sewage Treated Over 3 Years: Chemical-free STP processes treated 1,300 KL of sewage over the past three years, conserving freshwater resources. 
• 13 Lakh Liters Recycled Water Produced Daily: The treated water is nutrient-rich, supporting sustainable landscaping and agriculture. 
• 4 LL Capacity STP in 2025-26: A new STP with a 4 LL capacity is planned for construction in the academic year 2025-26. 
• 5,500 Cubic Meters Rainwater Harvested Annually: Integrated rainwater harvesting systems capture 5,500 cubic meters of water annually across 16 locations. 
• 16 Strategic Rainwater Harvesting Locations: Rainwater systems are integrated with wastewater treatment operations for holistic water resource management. 
• Organic Compost Production: Nutrient-rich sludge from STPs is converted into organic compost, minimizing waste and promoting sustainable agriculture. 

Amrita University has integrated renewable energy technologies into campus operations, with solar panel installations across multiple campuses now contributing substantially to our energy needs.

Following are some of the major highlights based on the activities done in various campuses :  

• 532 metric tons of CO₂ emissions reduced by implementing solar water heater
• Carpooling is heavily promoted within the campus 
• 53 % car fleet is based on Electric vehicle or CNG
• 720 tons of carbon emission neutralized from waste recycling
• Construction of Shared workspaces in campus naturalized over 550 metric tons of CO₂ emissions 

Energy Monitoring and Management System (Real-time insights into energy consumption patterns. Achieves an annual energy saving of 379,200 kWh, corresponding to a reduction of 311 metric tons of CO₂ emissions per year) 

Carbon Monitoring System 

Building wise real time energy monitoring system installed in the campus

The policy mandates and expands multiple sustainability frameworks: 
Green Building Requirements 
All new buildings must follow: 

• Climate-responsive design (per Green Building Guidelines) 
• Renewable energy integration 
• Low-flow water fixtures 
• ECBC-compliant energy systems 
• Green roofs and high-SRI materials 
• STP integration & dual plumbing

• Mandatory reuse of materials 
• On-site segregation 
• Training for staff 
• Material recovery facilities 

The policy continues to emphasize recognized green building certifications: 

• LEED 
• IGBC 
• GRIHA 

The update includes several compassion-driven sustainability strategies across departments, faculty, and students: 

• Integration of sustainability into curriculum and research 
• Awareness campaigns led by departments 
• Recognition programs for green initiatives 
• Zero-waste and energy-efficient laboratory operations 
• Student engagement & leadership opportunities 

The policy outlines detailed requirements for annual sustainability reporting, including: 

• Tracking energy, water, waste, biodiversity, and transportation indicators 
• Reporting green infrastructure & certifications 
• Monitoring sustainability KPIs 
• Transparency with stakeholders 
• Assessing long-term financial, environmental, and social sustainability impacts

The 2024 Sustainable Campus Policy strengthens Amrita’s commitment to environmental responsibility, expanding its sustainability scope to additional campuses and reinforcing standards for water stewardship, clean energy, waste reduction, sustainable mobility, biodiversity enhancement, and green construction. These efforts align with Amrita’s vision of fostering a sustainable, resilient, and compassionate educational ecosystem.