7.4.2: 100% Renewable Energy Pledge
KAU pledges to put all its efforts to become a 100% renewable energy-university as well as promote renewable energy awareness and applicability within its community.
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Green and Sustainable University
ٍSince 2013, King Abdulaziz University was the first Saudi university to start transforming and applying the concepts of green economy within the framework of the university's strategy, in order to implement the fundamentals and principles of sustainability and transform the university into a green university, apply smart systems and preserve the environment for sustainable development.
In this direction, KAU has been interested in the "LEED Green Building certification" and already started spreading the internal awareness about its importance through conducting a workshop under the title "Introduction to the Application of Leadership Standards in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for the Housing Project for Teachers", which lasted for two days in a series of related workshops and meetings with the application of the principles of sustainable development and environmental issues.
Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, General Supervisor of the General Department of Sustainability at the university, confirmed that the workshop on transforming the university into a green university will be prepared and delivered by the global advisor, Engineer Mario Cefratni, fellow of engineers at the American LEED International Organization and advisor to the General Department of Sustainability at the University Vice Presidency for Projects.
Dr. Ahmed Abdel Wahab stressed that transforming the university into a green university will reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the construction sector in the Kingdom, and the university will become a role model for other universities that are considering building or converting their buildings into green buildings.
He pointed out that the Kingdom has recently been moving towards implementing smart building solutions in the Kingdom, due to its effectiveness in reducing energy consumption, and the increasing need for technology that completes basic functions such as lighting and shading. With energy consumption increasing at an annual rate of 8 percent, there is a need for such technology that will enable the Kingdom to increase its energy efficiency.” The Green University will achieve an abundance in energy consumption of up to 40 percent.
On the other hand, experts and researchers in environmental sciences in the areas of applying green economy concepts in Saudi universities stressed the importance of the Green University project, considering that “sustainability is a long-term goal that includes much more than the sources of material carbon emissions.”
They stressed the importance of striving to change behavior at the university through awareness-raising, training, practical follow-up, and the construction of smart solutions buildings to initiate sustainability operations.
Environmental experts and researchers called for the need for new buildings to be designed on the basis of energy savings, improving their use, reducing waste, and benefiting from rainwater, and that the Green University should include buildings and facilities that meet all international environmental standards, including working fully on renewable energy.
It stresses the goal of achieving a car-free campus, transforming roads and car parks into green spaces, and establishing a car park for students and university employees away from the campus. A transportation system for university students and employees, so that movement inside the campus depends on a train that operates on electrical energy produced in the university and its surroundings from harvesting solar energy and wind energy, and it organizes transportation to and from the university by environmentally friendly buses
They pointed out the importance of planting plants and flowers that do not need a lot of irrigation water. A section of the gardens will be devoted to solar and wind energy harvesting farms, and the production of renewable energy to meet the university's needs.
They said that the Green University project is no longer a dream, because the university believes in its feasibility and believes that its success and that it will achieve a positive path to lay the foundations of a sustainable culture in the Kingdom, spread a practical environmental culture, which increases the university's graduates and future generations, and the guarantor of the preservation of the environment and its resources and the sustainable use of these resources.
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