Politecnico di Torino is one of four universities involved in the European project ‘University Cooperation for Net Zero on Campus’ (UNICO), a collaborative initiative led by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), for which the Politecnico di Torino also serves as the hosting institution for the Italian chapter, as part of the Erasmus+ Programme.
UNICO aims to support European universities in accelerating their transition to net-zero emissions, including in support of the European 100 Cities Mission project, by strengthening their role as ‘living laboratories’ for climate action.
UNICO is scheduled to run for two years.
The project partners are: SDSN (coordinator), Politecnico di Torino, Bucharest University of Economics, University of the Basque Country e University College Cork.
Building on the SDSN’s Net Zero on Campus initiative, the project draws on a comprehensive set of resources – including the Net Zero on Campus Guide, which provides practical guidance on decarbonising university campuses in areas such as energy, transport and waste management. The activities are closely linked to the wider SDSN networks, which mobilise expertise and partnerships at regional level.
- Strengthen institutional capacity through peer-to-peer training programmes among participating universities
- Strengthen partnerships between universities and cities, aligning campus initiatives with local climate plans and urban sustainability goals
- Empower students and staff by promoting participatory governance and inclusive engagement in climate action
- Implement and enhance the ‘Net Zero on Campus’ Guide and the SDSN Toolkit in real-world university settings