Environmental report 2025
Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor
Environmental issues affect us all and permeate all of Malmö University's activities. This year's environmental report provides a clear picture of the important work we have carried out in 2025 and shows how we are gradually approaching the goals set out in our Strategy 2030. By combining...
Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor
Environmental issues affect us all and permeate all of Malmö University's activities. This year's environmental report provides a clear picture of the important work we have carried out in 2025 and shows how we are gradually approaching the goals set out in our Strategy 2030. By combining environmental, social and economic perspectives, we continue to strengthen the University's role in society's transition.
The report highlights several examples of how we have reduced our environmental impact and developed more sustainable working methods – from more efficient energy use and improved waste management to systematic chemical management and sustainable procurement. Clearer requirements in procurement and better dialogue with suppliers have been crucial in driving this development forward.
Through our close collaboration with the City of Malmö – which was formalised in May 2025 through a Climate Contract – we are contributing to sustainable development that extends far beyond the campus. This work also includes collaborations with the region and our committed students, whose initiatives play an important role in driving progress. These partnerships are one of our greatest strengths and a prerequisite for real and long-term change.
During the year, with the support of the Climate Council and the Education Committee, we conducted a review of what students in our educational programmes learn about climate change. This work has already resulted in a new higher education course focusing on the climate. It is gratifying that we can now take further important steps in our work to strengthen the climate and sustainability perspectives in education, which enhances both the quality of education and the university’s overall contribution to the transition.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all employees and students who contribute in various ways to making Malmö University more sustainable!
Mia Rönnmar, Vice-Chancellor
Download the Environmental Report 2024
Business travel
In short
The total number of kilometres flown has decreased by 23 per cent since the base year 2019. We are now reviewing how we can improve the conditions for sustainable travel.
In short
Systematic efforts towards energy efficiency have produced results.
Malmö University operates in eight buildings in Malmö, with a total leased area of 105,249 square metres. The extent to which the University has access to the properties depends on the agreements the University has with the property owner and on other factors, such as whether or not the University is the only tenant. Property-related environmental work therefore takes the form of a combination of the University's own investments and dialogues with landlords, in which requests for environmental improvements are made.
Work on the goals includes both energy efficiency measures and the installation of energy production. After a steady decrease since 2019, energy use per square metre has increased by 8 per cent per square metre in 2024, compared with 2023. However, total energy use decreased by 2 per cent.
The explanation lies in the fact that Malmö University has co-located activities and left the Gäddan property. In some other properties, the indoor temperature has had to be adjusted and in one property, laboratory equipment has contributed to an increase.
Solar panels at Orkanen
In 2023, yet more solar panels were installed on the roof of Orkanen. 2024 is thus the first year in which both installations have been in operation all year. Total production was 244,870 kWh, which corresponds to approximately 13 per cent of the electricity consumption of the property.
In short
The phasing out and replacement of chemicals has reduced the number of hazardous substances held on the University's premises.
The total number of registered substances has decreased by 11 per cent since 2019, due to archiving and phasing out of products that are no longer in use. Very high-risk substances have been reduced by around 25 per cent since 2020.
An assessment is always made before using very high-risk substances to ensure that they are necessary, are handled as safely as possible and that no better alternatives exist.
In short
Investments in improved sorting facilities have resulted in a decreased amount of residual waste. However, in order for the University to reach the goal of halving residual waste (compared to 2019), efforts must be made by the entire organisation.
In the properties where we control waste management, residual waste has decreased by 30 per cent between the years 2019 and 2022. Waste that could not be weighed at collection has unfortunately been given an incorrect standard weight in subsequent years. This will be corrected by the waste collector in the future, but for 2024 there are no correct figures for the weights. Malmö University’s estimates for 2024 – based on average values of actual weights of residual waste – show values similar to those for 2022.
In short
There has been a slight increase in the reuse of computers.
Reclaiming IT equipment is an important part of our environmental work. The internal statistics are now pointing upwards – more and more computers, mobile phones and tablets are being returned. These devices can be used elsewhere or recycled.
If the computers are in good condition, they can since 2023 be returned for reuse at Malmö University. In 2024, the proportion of computers purchased that were pre-owned was 9 per cent, which is a slight increase compared to 2023 when the proportion was 6 per cent.