Sustainability at the University: an integrated vision
Sustainability permeates every aspect of University life and society, such as resource management, social responsibility, people's well-being, quality education, and impact on the region. The University of Bologna promotes a development model that is first and foremost human, combining innovation, fairness, respect and inclusion, and translates it into strategies and actions that actively involve the entire community.
Sustainability Report: transparency and impact
The Sustainability Report recounts the University's commitment to promoting sustainable practices capable of generating economic, social and environmental value for the community and the area. It is not just about reducing costs and waste, but about improving the learning and working environment and their quality, contributing to a more comprehensive education and more responsible research.
The Sustainability Report monitors the University's progress through data on research, teaching, people, society and the environment. Being based on the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative, the Sustainability Report aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The University promotes ethical values and legality through the Code of Ethics and Conduct, the Corruption Prevention Strategy (PIAO) and a Transparency section, which ensures access to institutional data. Moreover, the University is committed to promoting equal opportunities, fairness and inclusion, fighting all forms of discrimination with specific actions, including the Gender Equality Plan (GEP 2022-2026) and the annual Gender Equality Report.
This commitment is widely recognised in the international rankings, in which the University of Bologna stands out with distinction. Read more in the dedicated section.
Moreover, the University also participates in strategic international networks such as RUS (University Network for Sustainable Development), ASViS and SDSN.
Where we're at today: results and outlooks
The University of Bologna's 2024 Sustainability Report, springing from a social reporting tradition started back in 2012, provides an account of the University's values, actions, results and impacts. Now in its second edition, it stems from discussions with the University community, involved in focus groups in February 2024 to define the list of reporting priorities.
The data is tracked in the University's data warehouse, with reference to the year 2023, while the 2024-2026 PIAO and the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan set the line to be followed. The University Statute, updated in 2024, turned the University Quality Committee into a statutory body, responsible for monitoring and for continuous improvement, in line with the ANVUR standards. This evaluation and governance system ensures transparency, efficiency and constant monitoring of academic and administrative activities.
Environment and energy transition
Reducing our ecological footprint is a priority: the University Energy Plan aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 70% by 2030, thereby exceeding the European target of 55%. The expansion of photovoltaic systems and the energy efficiency of buildings already enables the production of more than 1 GWh of renewable energy.
Read more in the dedicated section
Education and students' right to higher education
Unibo has adopted flexible digital teaching models, with 519 innovative degree programmes and more than 862 PhD students involved in developing soft skills. Internationalisation is a strategic lever, and includes a multilingual programme catalogue, multiple degrees and mobility programmes such as Erasmus+, Overseas and exchanges with Buenos Aires.
Access to education is guaranteed by a system of subsidies, inclusive of 13,180 scholarships provided, 2,202 grants for student collaborations (150 hours) and a no-tax zone for an ISEE of up to EUR 27,000, well above the minimum threshold determined by law. Furthermore, 2,044 beneficiaries benefited from the flat tax for non-EU students in 2023/24.
Research, enterprise and investment under the NRRP
The University confirms its role as an innovation hub, with 161 Research Projects of Significant National Interest (PRIN) funded, for a total of EUR 15 million, and 67 projects coordinated directly by Unibo. The NRRP brought 329 new PhD scholarships, 113 of which were co-financed by companies, thereby strengthening the link between academia and industry.
Gender equality
While 70% of full professors are still men, 62% of our professional staff are women. The Gender Equality Plan and the Gender Equality Report aim to bridge these gaps by promoting more inclusive policies.
Read more in the dedicated section
Engagement of people
The University of Bologna recognises the central value of people in developing an innovative and sustainable academic environment.
In 2023, the University invested significantly in occupational well-being and training: over 96,000 hours of staff training were provided (+19.8% compared to the previous year), with initiatives dedicated to digital transition, sustainability and organisational management. 1,963 home working projects and 311 agile working agreements were activated to promote more flexible ways of working.
The University has also strengthened its commitment to inclusion by supporting the academic community with counselling and welfare services. The Circolo Università di Bologna (CUBO) has promoted social and cultural initiatives involving more than 3,000 participants, while psychological support programmes and equal opportunity policies have promoted collective well-being.
The University's commitment also extends to work sustainability: in 2023, EUR 2.3 million were allocated to the corporate welfare of professional staff, guaranteeing a fair work environment geared towards people's well-being.
An economy that creates value
With an attracted economic value of EUR 957 million and a distributed economic value of EUR 805 million, Unibo confirms its role as an institution capable of generating resources and reinvesting them in the local territory and community. Purchases also follow this line: 17% of supplies are green, while over EUR 366,000 were raised via the 5x1000 voluntary income tax contribution, confirming the University's strong bond with society.