Environmental report 2024
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Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor
Environmental issues affect every aspect of the University's activities and concern us all. The environmental report has given me a valuable overview of the vital work that has already been done, and with the decision taken on our environmental goals for 2025, we also know where to focus our effort...
Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor
Environmental issues affect every aspect of the University's activities and concern us all. The environmental report has given me a valuable overview of the vital work that has already been done, and with the decision taken on our environmental goals for 2025, we also know where to focus our efforts going forward.
Environmental issues affect every aspect of the University's activities and concern us all. The environmental report has given me a valuable overview of the vital work that has already been done, and with the decision taken on our environmental goals for 2025, we also know where to focus our efforts going forward.
The report contains many good examples of how we have lessened our impact on the environment, with initiatives linked to waste and chemicals management and our energy use. We are demanding more from our procurement processes and in our co-operation with suppliers.
The fact that our environmental goals are based on collaboration with the City of Malmö and our committed students strengthens both our own and the city's green transition.
Through our multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education, conducted in close collaboration with various stakeholders outside the University, we can continue to make a difference. Our Collegium for research on climate and societal transition promotes cross-faculty research and strengthens the content of our programmes. All staff are welcome to join the Collegium, creating a bridge between education and research and the University’s efforts in this area.
I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all staff and students who are helping in various ways to make Malmö University more sustainable and environmentally responsible!
Mia Rönnmar, Vice-Chancellor
Change in numbers – 2024 compared to 2023
-
244,870
kWh electricity production from solar panels
-
-2 %
total energy use
-
-10,100 m²
in total premises
Business travel
In short
The total number of kilometres flown has decreased by 27 per cent since the base year 2019. However, in many cases, the guidelines for shorter flights have not been followed.
Locally produced and recycled branded merchandise
Malmö University has made great progress in recent years in ensuring that our branded merchandise is sustainable and ethically produced. Malin Ekman, manager at Building and Services, explains the work.
Locally produced and recycled branded merchandise
Malmö University has made great progress in recent years in ensuring that our branded merchandise is sustainable and ethically produced. Malin Ekman, manager at Building and Services, explains the work.
“It's important for us to set high standards on ethical aspects and sustainability. Our procured supplier refuses orders that do not fulfil Malmö University's environmental guidelines. For example, if you want to order tote bags and cotton hoodies, the supplier only gives quotes for products that meet the requirements.”
“Some products that we have had in the past no longer fulfil our stricter requirements. For example, we have had an umbrella that does not fully meet the requirements in terms of materials, which means that we will not take it in again.”
The University endeavours to ensure that our branded products are useful.
“You shouldn't receive something that just ends up in a drawer and isn't used; that will never be sustainable even if the production chain has been.”
“For example, we have procured beeswax cloths that can be used instead of plastic wrap. We also have small notepads where the cover contains seeds – so when the product has been consumed, there is still a use for it, because if you bury them in the soil, flowers will grow!”
Malmö University plans to introduce more products with a sustainable focus in the future.
“We're looking at customised trivets made from Swedish recycled steel. This fits in well with our endeavour to ensure that products in our gift range are locally produced and preferably made from recycled materials,” concludes Malin Ekman.
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.
Environmental group
An environmental group was formed in 2024 and the group includes representatives from the departments of Joint University Administration and Services, the faculty offices and the University Library. The environmental group held a thematic lunch talk on the topic of waste and acted as a preparatory body for the 2025 environmental goals.