Climate change is considered one of the greatest threats to the planet and to humanity. Its consequences are already being experienced in various aspects of our lives, from our health to the global economy. At Facens University Center, we have adopted a series of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our daily activities, in addition to pursuing the development and implementation of new technologies for the production of clean and renewable energy.
We are continuously monitoring our emissions and seeking solutions to minimize our carbon footprint. In 2024, we improved our inventories by adopting the GHG Protocol methodology (Greenhouse Gas Protocol), an internationally recognized standard for the quantification and management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With this approach, we began mapping our emissions more accurately and consistently, enabling the identification of opportunities for reduction and the implementation of new initiatives and programs. This advancement reinforces our commitment to pursuing the best global practices for managing our emissions.
The carbon inventory is quantified in three scopes:
Scope 1: Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources controlled by the institution. In 2024, our direct emissions amounted to 11.4 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from stationary combustion: 4.8 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from mobile combustion*: 5.6 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from organic waste composting**: 1.0 ton of CO₂ equivalent.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity consumption. In 2024, thanks to the use of clean and renewable energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from consumed electricity were neutral.
Scope 3: Indirect emissions, which occur throughout our value chain. In 2024, emissions from these sources totaled 1,475.9 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from solid waste sent to landfill: 13.0 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from domestic wastewater treatment*: 74.8 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from business travel**: 43.0 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
Emissions from private vehicles***: 1,345.1 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
We are working to ensure that our emissions, especially those in Scope 3, are mapped with greater accuracy. With this, we expect to develop increasingly effective strategies and strengthen our emissions reduction programs.
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an essential commitment to addressing climate change and mitigating its impacts. At Facens University Center, we adopt a strategic and innovative approach to minimizing our climate impact, investing in clean and renewable energy throughout the campus, improving our energy efficiency, and developing sustainable solutions with our students to benefit the community. In this way, we combine technology, education, and action to build a more resilient and sustainable future.
In 2016, we began installing our first photovoltaic power generation systems, with both on-grid and off-grid installations, becoming one of the first photovoltaic plants in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba. In 2022, we expanded with an additional photovoltaic power generation system through the CPFL Energy Efficiency Program. In 2024, we initiated the implementation of a new Tracker photovoltaic system in partnership with Trina, with the goal of increasing our electricity generation capacity by around 18 to 20 kWp, reaching up to 245 kWp when combining all our systems.
With this, we generated 14% of all the electricity consumed on campus in 2024. This percentage represents a decrease compared to the 19% recorded in 2023, explained by two main factors:
Increase in consumption: the campus recorded a 21% growth in total energy consumption in 2024, as a result of the expansion of academic activities, new facilities, and greater energy demand;
Decrease in self-generation: renewable energy production fell by 9% compared to the previous year, impacted by operational factors and weather conditions.
Despite this relative reduction in self-generation, we maintained our policy of using 100% renewable energy, ensuring that all electricity purchased in the free energy market comes from certified clean sources. Our commitment is to continue investing in the expansion of solar generation and the improvement of energy efficiency, reinforcing the campus’s role as a model of sustainable innovation.
Since 2020, we have been part of the Free Contracting Environment (ACL), commonly known as the Free Electricity Market, with a contracted demand of 500 kW. Regulatory Resolution No. 1,000 of the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) establishes that consumers with demand between 500 kW and 1,000 kW are considered “special consumers” and are authorized to acquire energy exclusively from incentivized sources, that is, renewable sources such as small hydroelectric plants (SHPs), solar, wind, or biomass plants. Even considering the regulatory requirement, we have adopted an even stronger commitment to the traceability of the energy consumed, ensuring that all electricity is certified by I-REC (International Renewable Energy Certificate). In 2024, we acquired 1,137 RECs, corresponding to 1,137 MWh, an increase compared to the 979 RECs acquired in 2023.
The International REC Standard (I-REC) is a global system, with a unified methodology, that certifies the origin of energy as renewable. REC certificates represent that the amount of electricity purchased and consumed was generated from renewable sources (each REC equals 1 MWh of renewable energy consumed).
Facens University Center has the mission of constantly seeking the development of new solutions for clean energy generation. Our goal is to provide the entire academic community with a comprehensive view of global energy generation trends, as well as practical experience in addressing climate change, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Over the years, we have developed a variety of innovative solutions, covering several renewable energy sources. Among these solutions, projects involving solar panels, wind generators, biodigesters, biodiesel production, and the use of hydropower stand out.
These projects are carried out both institutionally, through initiatives led by Facens, and by our students, who have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice, developing real experimental projects that contribute to the pursuit of a more sustainable energy matrix.
*The experimental units that produce biogas, wind, hydropower, and biodiesel are not connected to the campus power grid.
In addition to renewable electricity generation initiatives, our students are encouraged to develop practices and projects related to energy efficiency, aiming to reduce consumption for air conditioning and lighting in our buildings. We offer a specific curricular component in all engineering programs during the 3rd semester, at the Experimental Projects Plant (UPX – Renewable Energies), focused on the development of technologies for clean and renewable energy generation, as well as Scientific Initiation projects and Undergraduate Theses that deliver innovations related to energy management development.
In 2023, Facens University Center achieved a significant milestone: we began developing our Energy Efficiency Plan (EEP), with the implementation of a system for monitoring and managing electricity consumption across the entire campus.
This advancement enabled precise measurement of energy consumption broken down by distribution system, as well as monitoring the savings generated by photovoltaic production.
Based on the detailed analysis of consumption data and electricity generation during 2023 and 2024, we defined the next step for 2025: the creation of the Internal Commission for Energy Conservation. This initiative will have the following main objectives:
Develop an Energy Policy aimed at the continuous improvement of energy performance, following the structure of ISO 50000, adopted in Brazil by the Brazilian Committee for Energy Management and Economy (CB 116) of ABNT.
Implement an Energy Management System, monitoring Energy Performance Indicators (EnPI) to optimize consumption and reduce waste. International studies indicate that initiatives such as this can provide savings ranging from 5% to 30%, depending on the sector, the level of monitoring, management engagement, and investments in energy efficiency.
In addition to ensuring greater control over our financial savings from photovoltaic generation, this initiative will strengthen our energy governance, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability and the economic viability of our operations.
