In 2022, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) published its TUM Sustainable Futures
Strategy 2030, with the vision of taking a leading role in the sustainable transformation of society across six defined fields of action. The development of a Climate Action Plan and the establishment of a climate protection management system by 2024 were identified as key
milestones in campus operations and resource management. The highly ambitious goal of
climate neutrality in terms of energy consumption by 2028, set out in the strategy, served as
the basis for the development of TUM's Climate Action Plan. As a first step, an initial comprehensive
greenhouse gas balance was drawn up for the university. This includes the TUM locations in Munich, Garching, Weihenstephan and Straubing as well as TUM locations throughout Munich and Bavaria summarized as branch offices. TUM's accounting follows the BayCalc Guideline for calculating greenhouse gas emissions of universities in Bavaria, which is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
For the 2021 reporting year, Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for the abovementioned locations, as well as part of the Scope 3 emissions for the entire TUM, were recorded. Accordingly,TUM was responsible for direct and indirect emissions of 59,214 t CO2e (market based) in
2021. Of these, 34,003 t CO2e are Scope 1 emissions, 5,292 t CO2e can be allocated to Scope 2 emissions and 19,919 t CO2e to Scope 3 emissions.
Due to incomplete data, Scope 3 emissions could not yet be fully assessed. Accordingly,
TUM’s actual indirect greenhouse gas emissions are significantly higher.
Based on the available data, the heating and electricity categories account for the largest share
of TUM's emissions. The Garching site contributes around 50% of TUM's total emissions due
to its high energy demand, which is largely covered by its own natural gas-powered combined
heat and power plant. The second-largest contributor is the Weihenstephan campus, classified
under Scope 2 due to its use of district heating. In 2021, TUM's total energy consumption was
337 GWh, with 103 GWh attributable to the purchase of electricity. Overall, Scope 2 emissions
from energy purchases are relatively low compared to Scope 1 emissions. This is mainly due
to the use of green electricity at all TUM locations. However, if the average local emissions
factor (Germany mix) is used (location-based), a different overall picture emerges. In this case,
the total emissions amount to 100,911 t CO2e.
Based on the first greenhouse gas balance (market-based), three emissions reduction Scenarios were developed for TUM, each focusing on the evaluation of potential energy supply
structures for the respective campuses. The study focuses on the possible development of
emissions in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, along with the associated operating and investment
costs. The modeling of the reduction Scenarios is based on assumptions regarding future fuel
use, increasing energy demands, energy efficiency improvements and planned GHG reduction
measures.
In reference path 1 - business as usual - the current energy consumption and emissions according to the growth forecast are projected without specific reduction measures, though passive effects such as declining electricity emission factors are included. Ongoing efficiency
measures that are not explicitly included in the planning but are implemented on an ongoing
basis are considered using a flat-rate energy efficiency factor.
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In this Scenario, due to the assumed growth emissions will increase from just under 40,000 t
CO2e in Scope 1 and 2 in 2021 to just under 60,000 t CO2e in 2045, despite efficiency increases.
In Path 2 - Greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045 - CO2e reduction measures that lead to greenhouse gas neutrality at TUM in 2045 (in accordance with the federal government's target) are
considered. Particular attention is paid to the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the technologies used in accordance with the current state of the art. This includes, for example, heat
pumps, the expansion of PV systems on our own roofs and the electrification of the car fleet.
Despite the significant investments required, this path shows that the total operating and investment costs over the years up to 2045 are lower compared to the reference path 1 (business
as usual).
Path 3 - Greenhouse gas neutrality 2028 - examines the feasibility of achieving the 2022 goal
of climate neutrality in terms of energy consumption by 2028. The goal of greenhouse gas
neutrality by 2028 is therefore only possible by replacing natural gas with biomethane for the
combined heat and power plant at the Garching location. At the other locations, this goal can
only be achieved by replacing old boilers with heat pumps soon and by sourcing greenhouse
gas-neutral district heating. However, internal and external assessments conclude that acquiring sufficient biomethane by that deadline is unrealistic under current market conditions.
Greenhouse gas neutrality by 2028, as previously established as a working hypothesis, could
therefore only be achieved through the remaining greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing
and retiring CO2 certificates in the voluntary offsetting market. Offsetting in this form is not
considered expedient for TUM if there is real potential for reducing emissions. Investments in
the implementation of greenhouse gas reductions within the university have priority over investments in CO2 reduction projects outside the TUM system boundaries.
Based on these results, TUM decided to adjust and specify its target. In cooperation with the
Central Technology of Real Estate Management (ZA4), the target of reducing greenhouse
gases by 80% in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 compared to the base year 2021 was set.
Based on the analyses, the climate protection in a total of seven transformation fields was
examined in detail and specific projects were derived that can make an overall contribution to
reducing greenhouse gases at TUM. These 58 individual projects are divided into technical
and engineering projects, as well as communication and organization-specific projects. They
form the core of the Climate Action Plan and the basis for future climate protection management at TUM.
To achieve these goals and implement the identified projects, TUM’s own commitment is of
great importance. An annual monitoring and controlling concept is used for the targeted control
of climate protection management. The aim is to provide data on the project progress and the
realization of the targets set, both internally for efficient management and externally to monitor
success. However, TUM also recognizes that in addition to this and for the implementation of
the identified projects, especially for the realization of greenhouse gas reductions in the central
topic area of its own properties, political lobbying is required to support and change the legal
framework. However, TUM also recognizes that, in addition to its own efforts, the successful
implementation of the identified projects, particularly those involving greenhouse gas reductions in its own buildings, will require political advocacy to support and amend the existing legal
framework.
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