The United Nations General Assembly has outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as global priorities to promote the well-being of the planet and humanity. Integral University recognizes the significance and urgency of these goals and is dedicated to contributing to their realization. This dedication is evident through the various initiatives and efforts undertaken by its departments and other units. The progress report for SDG 13 is presented as follows.

Climate Action: Cite Score

Integral University, Lucknow recognizes that mitigating and adapting to climate change is a shared global imperative. The University actively advances climate action through structured academic inquiry, campus-wide sustainability practices, and targeted awareness programmes for faculty, staff, and students. The institution’s research footprint in climate studies continues to strengthen, demonstrated by a portfolio of 21 publications addressing themes such as climate resilience, environmental modelling, sustainable resource management, and mitigation strategies. The overall Cite Score performance in this domain underscores our sustained engagement with high-impact climate scholarship.

Climate Action: FWCI

The Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of the University’s climate-related research reflects the relative influence and visibility of these outputs within the global scholarly ecosystem. The FWCI indicates that Integral University’s contributions are being cited at a rate comparable to, or exceeding, world averages for similar research fields. This performance demonstrates growing research relevance and supports the University's position as an emerging contributor to climate science and sustainability discourse.

Climate Action: publications

Integral University’s climate-focused publications span diverse research clusters, including atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, agricultural sustainability, green technologies, and climate-health intersections. These scholarly outputs not only support SDG-13 targets but also inform evidence-based teaching, community outreach, and policy dialogues within the region. Through continuous research engagement, collaborative projects, and student participation, the University aims to strengthen its role in addressing climate challenges at local, national, and global levels.

Low Carbon Energy Tracking

Integral University undertakes systematic monitoring of its low-carbon energy portfolio as part of its institutional commitment to climate Action. The University conducts an annual assessment of low-carbon energy consumption to quantify progress toward reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing sustainable energy integration across campus operations.

During the academic year 2023-24, the University recorded a total of 5765.53 gigajoules of energy derived from low-carbon sources. This metric reflects the University's ongoing transition toward cleaner energy systems. Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installations formed the backbone of this low-carbon energy supply, supporting both electricity generation and thermal energy needs.

By maintaining a transparent accounting framework and expanding its renewable energy infrastructure, Integral University continues to advance climate-responsive practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and align campus development with national and global sustainability targets.

Low-Carbon Energy Use

Integral University has operationalized a 1 MWp Rooftop Grid-Interactive Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant, developed in full compliance with the technical guidelines of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The University strategically leveraged extensive rooftop real estate across multiple academic and administrative buildings to deploy a distributed, modular PV architecture characterized by high durability, low O&M requirements, and lifecycle resilience.

The system’s grid-interactive configuration ensures that surplus solar generation is exported to the state transmission network, contributing directly to Uttar Pradesh’s renewable energy mix. This distributed generation model reduces dependence on carbon-intensive grid electricity and significantly curtails the operational hours of diesel generator (DG) sets, thereby mitigating Scope 2 and partial Scope 1 emissions.

Through this initiative, Integral University achieves approximately 30% annual revenue savings on electricity expenditure. More importantly, the solar installation offsets nearly 1,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, reinforcing the University’s commitment to national climate objectives, the Paris Agreement targets, and the broader mandate of SDG-13.

The project exemplifies the University’s transition toward a low-carbon, energy-secure campus ecosystem, establishing a replicable institutional model for renewable energy adoption and climate-positive infrastructure within higher education in India.

Local Education Programmes on Climate

Integral University, Lucknow actively promotes climate literacy through a suite of structured local-level educational programmes and awareness initiatives. Our flagship student-led platform, “Sustainable Science and Climate Change,” engages large cohorts of young learners across India and abroad each year. The initiative equips participants with critical knowledge on climate risks, socio-environmental impacts, and evidence-based strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

Over the past year, the University organized a series of workshops, expert lectures, community outreach drives, and thematic campaigns addressing urgent climate-related challenges—ranging from extreme-weather resilience and carbon-footprint reduction to sustainable urban planning and nature-based solutions. These activities not only strengthened environmental awareness within the campus and surrounding communities but also cultivated a culture of climate responsibility aligned with SDG-13.

Climate Action Plan

Integral University’s Annual Sustainable Development Report highlights a strengthened and data-driven Climate Action Plan that advances the institution’s commitment to SDG-13. The plan outlines a coordinated framework for mitigation, adaptation, and climate-resilience initiatives across the campus. Key components include a structured roadmap for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, expanding renewable-energy installations, improving energy-efficiency benchmarks for academic and residential facilities, and enhancing carbon-sequestration through sustained green-cover development.

The University also emphasizes climate-literacy and community engagement by integrating climate-action themes into curricular modules, facilitating research on environmental sustainability, and conducting capacity-building workshops for students, staff, and local stakeholders. Through these targeted interventions, Integral University positions itself as a proactive and responsible academic institution committed to measurable climate action and long-term ecological stewardship.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

UNEP reports that building materials contribute nearly 9% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, underscoring the need for climate-responsive infrastructure development. As Integral University continues to expand its academic and research facilities, the carbon intensity per unit of Gross Internal Area (GIA) will be rigorously tracked to ensure environmentally responsible growth. The University will integrate low-emission construction materials, adopt energy-efficient design standards, and implement ongoing performance assessments to reduce embodied and operational carbon.

Furthermore, university-funded travel, a major contributor to Scope 3 emissions, will be comprehensively monitored through a structured emissions accounting framework. This includes quantifying travel footprints across academic, administrative, and research-related mobility. The objective is to establish evidence-based mitigation strategies such as promoting virtual collaboration, optimizing travel logistics, and encouraging low-carbon transit options.

Global Sustainability Group Memberships

Integral University, Lucknow actively engages with international climate-action and sustainability networks as part of its commitment to SDG-13.By participating in global forums and professional sustainability consortia, the University strengthens its technical capacity to address climate risks, aligns its practices with emerging global standards, and gains access to high-value knowledge exchange with leading institutions worldwide. These memberships allow faculty, researchers, and sustainability practitioners at Integral to benchmark their work, showcase innovative climate-action projects, and cultivate strategic international collaborations.

Sustainable Operations and Green Building Commitments. Through the Office of Sustainability, Integral University is systematically integrating climate-responsive practices into its physical infrastructure and operational ecosystem. The University is working toward certifying campus buildings both new construction and renovation projects under recognized green building frameworks. This certification process emphasizes optimized energy performance, water conservation, sustainable transportation, responsible material use, waste minimization, and enhancement of indoor environmental quality.

By embedding these climate-aligned operational standards, Integral University seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, advance resilience against climate-related risks, and model sustainable campus development for higher-education institutions across the region.

ISO Certificates

Integral University, Lucknow is actively progressing toward obtaining internationally recognized ISO certifications particularly those related to environmental management, energy efficiency, and sustainability governance. These certifications will establish measurable benchmarks across the University’s administrative and academic units, strengthening climate-responsive management systems, improving resource optimization, and embedding a culture of continuous quality enhancement. Through this initiative, the University aims to institutionalize the best global practices that directly support SDG-13 by reducing environmental impact, improving operational sustainability, and fostering long-term climate resilience.

Towards Zero Waste

Integral University, Lucknow systematically tracks food, laboratory, and general municipal waste generated across its academic, residential, and healthcare facilities. The University is implementing an integrated waste-management framework that prioritizes waste reduction at source, segregation, composting of biodegradable waste, recycling of plastics and paper, and safe disposal of hazardous materials. Ongoing initiatives such as campus-wide awareness campaigns, deployment of smart waste-collection systems, and collaboration with authorized recycling agencies are designed to progressively lower the institution’s carbon footprint. These efforts collectively support Integral University’s strategic commitment to a long-term zero-waste and climate-resilient campus.”

Air Quality Index Monitor

Recognizing the environmental challenges posed by regional emission sources—such as coal-based power generation, diesel-driven transportation, and industrial activity—Integral University will deploy a comprehensive Air Quality Index (AQI) Monitoring System across the campus. The system will utilize calibrated sensors to continuously measure key atmospheric parameters, including particulate matter (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), and ambient temperature and humidity.

The objective is to identify pollution anomalies, analyze the dominant pollutants, and trace probable emission sources affecting the campus micro-environment. Daily AQI analytics will be integrated into the university’s environmental dashboard and communicated to stakeholders to support proactive health advisories. The data will also inform long-term sustainability planning, enabling targeted mitigation strategies such as optimizing green buffers, regulating vehicular movement, and promoting low-emission alternatives. This initiative reinforces the University’s commitment to SDG-13 by strengthening campus resilience, advancing evidence-based climate action, and safeguarding the well-being of the Integral University community.

Greening Transportation

Integral University has adopted a comprehensive, phased strategy to decarbonize campus mobility and reduce transport-related emissions. The initiative includes the deployment and progressive expansion of accessible EV charging infrastructure to support the transition toward electric mobility for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To further minimize the reliance on personal vehicles, the University continues to promote the use of campus-operated shuttle services and other shared mobility options.

Looking forward, Integral University is committed to establishing strategic partnerships with national and regional organizations that can facilitate low-carbon travel solutions for employees and students. These collaborations will strengthen sustainable commuting practices, enhance intercity green mobility options, and contribute meaningfully to the University’s broader climate-action objectives under SDG-13.

Co-operative Planning for Climate Change Disasters

Integral University, Lucknow actively advances SDG-13 through coordinated planning and strategic engagement with local and regional authorities on climate-related disaster preparedness and resilience. At the local scale, the University’s Grow Green Project strengthens government and community efforts by developing and operationalizing a comprehensive environmental management framework grounded in green infrastructure, ecological restoration, and sustainable landscape interventions. This initiative supports evidence-based policymaking and enhances the city’s adaptive capacity to heatwaves, flooding, and air-quality degradation.

At the regional level, the University contributes through the RESIN Eco-Cities Programme, which convenes a consortium of researchers, urban planners, and climate-science experts focused on climate-adaptation pathways for rapidly growing urban centers. Through this platform, Integral University leads applied research, vulnerability assessments, and resilience-building strategies that inform regional master plans, support inter-city knowledge exchange, and drive scalable climate-adaptation solutions across North India.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the University’s commitment to integrated climate-risk governance and its role as a key academic partner in building climate-resilient communities.

Inform and Support Government

Integral University actively contributes to evidence-based climate governance by supporting regional and municipal bodies with technical expertise, data-driven insights, and capacity-building initiatives. The University has notably participated in the SCATTER (Setting City Area Targets and Trajectories for Emissions Reduction) Project, funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and implemented by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Through this collaboration, Integral University provided critical inputs to strengthen urban emissions modelling, climate-risk diagnostics, and monitoring frameworks used by local authorities. The effort enabled state and municipal agencies to better understand sectoral emission trajectories, define actionable mitigation pathways, and identify their regulatory and operational responsibilities in addressing climate change.

By serving as a knowledge partner in such high-impact initiatives, the University reinforces its commitment to SDG-13, ensuring that research, innovation, and academic expertise directly inform climate-resilient planning and policy development in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

Environmental Education Collaborate with NGO

Integral University, Lucknow actively advances SDG-13 by integrating environmental education with strategic collaborations across the civil society ecosystem. In the domain of climate adaptation, the University partners with a diverse range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to design, implement, and scale community-centric climate resilience initiatives.

At the local level, the University works closely with multiple NGOs to establish and operationalize a dedicated Community Interest Company (CIC) focused on climate adaptation programming. Faculty experts from Integral University contribute technical guidance and serve on the CIC’s Board of Directors, ensuring academic rigor, accountability, and sustained community engagement.

Additionally, under the University’s Ignition Initiative its flagship platform for climate innovation Integral University collaborates with a leading local NGO to extend technical support, capacity-building, and resource mobilization for climate-adaptive interventions. These joint efforts enhance local adaptive capacity, promote climate‐resilient livelihoods, and strengthen Integral University’s commitment to evidence-based climate action.

Commitment to Carbon Neutral University

Integral University, Lucknow demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to Climate Action by actively progressing toward a carbon-neutral campus. The University has adopted a multipronged decarbonization strategy, systematically integrating sustainable technologies, resource-efficient practices, and low-emission mobility solutions. Key initiatives include:

• Solar Power Generation:Deployment of on-campus solar photovoltaic installations to offset grid dependency and reduce Scope-2 emissions.
• Water Reuse and Recycling: Implementation of advanced water-treatment and reuse systems that support landscape irrigation, sanitation, and other non-potable applications, thereby minimizing resource strain and energy demand associated with water procurement.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure:Establishment of dedicated EV charging stations to incentivize the adoption of electric mobility among faculty, staff, and students.
• Integrated Waste Management System:A structured waste-segregation and processing framework that includes recycling, composting of biodegradable waste, and safe disposal of non-recyclables, thereby reducing methane emissions and environmental footprint.
• Promoting Non-Motorized Mobility:Encouragement of cycle usage within campus through cycle-friendly pathways and racks, reducing emissions from short-distance transit.
• Battery-Operated Campus Vehicles:Utilization of electric, battery-operated vehicles for internal transport and logistics to eliminate fossil-fuel-based mobility within the campus.

Through these targeted interventions, Integral University continues to advance its long-term sustainability vision and contribute meaningfully to global climate-action objectives under SDG-13.

Activity Report

The Department of Environmental Science, Integral University, in collaboration with UP Jal Nigam (Urban), Lucknow and the CII–Young Indians (Yi) Climate Action Vertical, conducted a One Week Workshop and Awareness Programme on Urban Water Management and Nature Conservation from 18th to 22nd March 2024.The initiative aligned with national priorities on sustainable water governance, urban resilience, and environmental stewardship, with a focus on practical learning and community-oriented engagement.

Theme

1. Water management with the help of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and (FSTP).
2. Rejuvenating Nature: Lakes and Water Bodies for Source Sustainability.
3. Behavioural and Conservation Change in Water & Forest Management: Role of Communities.

ALIGNED ACTIVITY OUTCOMES WITH OBJECTIVES

Glimmers of the Event