UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) reinforced its commitment to tackling the global climate crisis through a webinar titled Airlangga Goes Green: Toward a Net Zero Carbon Campus, held on Friday (June 13, 2025). The event encouraged members of the academic community to deepen their understanding of carbon reduction while actively participating in efforts to lower the university’s environmental footprint.
Agustine Prihatine Kadir, S.E., Ak., Head of the Evaluation and Compensation Subdivision at UNAIR’s Directorate of Human Resources, emphasized in her opening remarks that the university aspires not only to achieve academic excellence but also to serve as a catalyst for environmental change.
“UNAIR plays a strategic role not only as a center of knowledge but also as a driver of tangible solutions for the future of the environment. Every small action we take contributes to a larger movement toward a greener and more equitable world,” she said.
Climate crisis and campus-level challenges
Dr. Nurina Fitriani, S.T., a lecturer in Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) UNAIR, served as the keynote speaker on global climate change. She explained that global warming is evident in rising average temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, sea-level rise, and the growing frequency of climate-related disasters. “Human activities such as fossil fuel use, deforestation, and energy consumption patterns on campus remain key drivers,” she noted.
Dr. Fitriani also outlined several major challenges UNAIR faces in reducing carbon emissions, including dependence on non-renewable electricity, organic waste generated by campus cafeterias, and student transportation. She highlighted the green campus concept as a critical framework for building an environmentally responsible academic environment. “This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also embeds sustainability values across learning and operational systems,” she explained.
Steps toward net zero carbon
UNAIR has begun implementing a series of initiatives to support its green campus and net zero carbon ambitions. In the energy sector, the university has adopted renewable sources such as solar (801,828 kWh), wind (28,760 kWh), biomass, and biodiesel. Smart building technologies have also been introduced across roughly 50–75% of campus facilities.
Technological innovation is further strengthened through platforms such as the Airlangga Photovoltaic System Monitoring and S-Miles Enduser systems, which enable real-time monitoring and optimization of energy use. These efforts have resulted in a 25% reduction in carbon emissions.
By combining technology, education, and active engagement from its academic community, UNAIR continues to advance toward its vision of becoming a green campus, one that is not only environmentally responsible sustainable for future generations.
Author: Panca Ezza Aisal Saputra
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
