Roma Tre University has started the drafting of its greenhouse gas emissions inventory in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). This international methodological framework represents the global standard for the accounting, monitoring and management of institutional emissions, ensuring transparency, comparability and data reliability.
The GHG Protocol classifies emissions into three categories:
- Scope 1 – Direct emissions, generated from fuels used directly by the University (mainly for building heating and on-site electricity production).
- Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from purchased energy, linked to the production of electricity consumption but purchased from third parties.
- Scope 3 – Other indirect emissions, associated with activities connected to institutional operations (mobility, business travel, transport, etc.).
Current state of Roma Tre’s emissions
In recent years, the University has developed tools and procedures that now allow for a solid and systematic estimation of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Below are the figures for 2024:
- Scope 1
Emissions related to natural gas heating of University buildings amount to 515 tonnes of CO₂. This figure reflects an ongoing commitment to structural emission reduction: a significant portion of the building stock is already heated using heat pumps, reducing reliance on methane-fueled systems.
- Scope 2
Roma Tre purchases 100% renewable certified electricity. Under the GHG Protocol’s market-based approach, this leads to zero Scope 2 emissions.
- Scope 3 (development phase)
An initial monitoring of certain categories of indirect emissions has started with a preliminary estimate of approximately 747 tonnes of CO₂ for 2025, primarily linked to business travel and institutional transport.
The University is currently working on more comprehensive methodological and organizational tools: by 2026, the goal is to implement a stable and reliable system for estimating Scope 3 emissions, particularly those related to business trips and commuting by staff and students.
Governance, objectives and future prospects
To coordinate this process, an interdisciplinary working group has been established with the task of:
- consolidating an official and systematic University emissions inventory
- developing reliable data-collection tools and indicators
- defining and monitoring mitigation strategies and reduction targets
- promoting organizational and infrastructural choices aligned with ecological transition.
Short-term objectives (by 2026) include:
- reducing Scope 1 emissions by further expanding heat-pump heating systems and implementing energy-efficiency measures
- definitively consolidating Scope 2 reductions by maintaining electricity supply entirely from renewable sources
- developing a structured monitoring system for Scope 3 emissions by 2026.
This work represents a crucial step in enhancing Roma Tre’s climate strategy. The University has already taken concrete measures to reduce its climate impact and aims to continue advancing in an increasingly coordinated, measurable and transparent way.