Climate Action Program
Climate Action Program
The Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL) faces considerable vulnerability to the effects of climate change due to its geographic location. This region is prone to the occurrence of extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts, heat waves and intense storms.
High temperatures and water shortages have the potential to negatively impact both university infrastructure and the health and well-being of its community. In addition, torrential rains can cause flooding, affecting campus operations and putting the safety of students and academic and administrative staff at risk.
Due to this situation, the need arose to implement adaptation and mitigation measures through the UANL Climate Action Program (PAC-UANL), which aims to reduce the expression of risks caused by climate change, through the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures within the UANL to protect its facilities and ensure the continuity of its educational and research activities in the face of climate challenges.
- The Climate Action Program helps reduce the vulnerability of university facilities to the effects caused by climate change.
Additionally, PAC-UANL focuses on reducing the institutional carbon footprint, promoting research and education on issues related to climate change, and collaborating with the community to promote sustainable practices, such as the installation of solar panels on several buildings on its campuses. These panels not only generate clean energy, but also serve as an educational tool for students, who can learn firsthand about renewable energy technologies.
Another important line of action of the PAC-UANL is aimed at promoting reforestation and conservation of natural areas, thus contributing to the protection of local ecosystems. These projects not only help mitigate the effects of climate change, but also promote the conservation of biodiversity and maintain the state of well-being on university campuses and facilities produced by natural environments in good condition of conservation.
A large proportion of the territory under the protection of the UANL is covered by green areas, such that of the 3,799 hectares occupied by the university campuses and facilities, 98% is covered by natural vegetation in a good state of conservation, allowing the absorption of approximately 500 thousand tons of CO2 per year.
98.5 % of the UANL territory is occupied by natural vegetation in a good state of conservation
Starting in 2023, PAC-UANL has promoted the efficient use of water through the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems and the use of condensed water from air conditioning systems. These systems help conserve water resources and reduce drinking water consumption.
The UANL has a carbon sink of approximately 550 thousand tons of CO₂ equivalent
The scope of PAC-UANL goes beyond the boundaries of the university campus, extending to the social environment that surrounds it. One of the ways in which the university has achieved this is through outreach programs and collaboration with local governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. These collaborations have allowed the implementation of community projects focused on promoting sustainability and adaptation to climate change.
The Climate Action Program of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León seeks to become a replicable model for other educational institutions, both public and private, that can contribute to promoting the fulfillment of Objective 13 (Climate Action) of the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the United Nations Organization.