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Brno University of Technology presents its second Annual Sustainability Report, summarising the university’s most significant achievements in sustainable development throughout 2025. Building on the inaugural edition published last year, the report confirms that sustainability has become an integral part of education, research, university operations, and everyday life.The second sustainability report highlights the university's progress and future direction. | Author: Václav KoníčekThe Annual Sustainability Report presents sustainability as a cross-cutting theme that runs through all faculties and other university units, demonstrating how the university combines technological innovation with a responsible approach to the environment and society. “At BUT, sustainability is not a one-off initiative but a natural part of how we think about and develop our university. The second Annual Sustainability Report confirms that we are steadily fulfilling this ambition and building BUT as a modern technical university that actively contributes to addressing global challenges,” said BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček.
The university’s sustainability activities are guided by the BUT Sustainability Strategy and its action plans, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and focus on four key areas – education, research and creative activities, social responsibility, and university operations.The Sustainability Office oversees these activities. Last year, it fully assumed responsibility for implementing the BUT Sustainability Strategy, establishing methodological procedures and preparing analytical materials to support further development. Working closely with a network of faculty sustainability coordinators, it helps translate strategic objectives into practical measures across the university’s day-to-day operations.
BUT continuously expands its portfolio of study programmes and courses to respond to current societal challenges and technological developments. Last year, eight new study programmes were introduced, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development. These include E-mobility and Sustainability, Chemistry and Environmental Protection Technologies, Computational Simulations for Sustainable Energy, and Integrative Spatial Planning.Sustainability is integrated throughout the curriculum. | Author: Václav KoníčekThe university also continued to integrate sustainability topics into teaching, strengthen cooperation across faculties, and expand its lifelong learning offer for both professionals and the wider public.
The report also showcases dozens of research projects contributing to a more sustainable future. Researchers at BUT are working on renewable energy sources, space technologies, the circular economy, smart cities, water resource protection, advanced materials, and biomedical engineering. One of the major milestones of the past year was the launch of the Czech Semiconductor Centre, which connects academia with industry and supports the development of semiconductor technologies in the Czech Republic. This cutting-edge research is further supported by a network of specialised research infrastructures, enabling cooperation with partners both in the Czech Republic and abroad.In addition, six new start-ups and spin-offs were established at BUT, operating in the fields of digitalisation, energy, industrial technologies, and education, demonstrating successful knowledge transfer into practice. Student project teams also celebrated new achievements, with the launch of the new SPICE team focusing on chips and semiconductor technologies.Research at BUT addresses global challenges. | Author: Václav Koníček
BUT also places strong emphasis on social responsibility. It develops partnerships with both public and private sector organisations, strengthens cooperation with other universities, and actively engages with its students, alumni, and the wider public.Through educational and science outreach events, workshops, and community projects, including BUT Junior programmes, summer schools for secondary school students, Researchers’ Night, the Science and Technology Festival, Earth Day, and the University of the Third Age, university promotes sustainability while also supporting diversity, equal opportunities, and the wellbeing of the entire university community.Some of the activities focus on the university's third role. | Author: Václav Koníček
Last year also saw a significant strengthening of sustainable university operations. The Sustainability Office became fully operational while the university continued implementing energy management, sub-metering and remote monitoring of energy and water consumption, and further digitalising building management. Systematic mapping of water management and waste management was launched, alongside the development of methodologies for energy management, sustainable procurement, and facility management.Alongside these strategic initiatives, a number of practical improvements were implemented across the campus. These included thermal insulation of student residence halls, reconstruction of the campus water supply network to reduce water losses, installation of energy-efficient lighting, and the expansion of green roofs.BUT also supports biodiversity. In autumn, it opened a new beehive at the Rectorate, complementing existing university apiaries at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and CEITEC BUT, while continuing projects focused on environmentally friendly landscape management and rainwater retention.BUT has opened a rectorate beekeeping apiary. | Author: Václav Koníček
A key component of the university’s sustainability strategy is the systematic monitoring of its carbon footprint. BUT began measuring its emissions in 2023 and uses the data collected to plan further steps aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its operations. In 2025, the university’s total carbon footprint amounted to 18,495 tonnes of CO₂e, with the largest share coming from purchased electricity and heat. This is why BUT continues investing in energy efficiency measures, building modernisation, and more effective energy management.The Annual Sustainability Report forms part of BUT’s long-term commitment to transparently communicating its activities and impacts. The publication summarises not only the university’s achievements but also its priorities for future development, demonstrating how a technical university can make a meaningful contribution to addressing both environmental and societal challenges.The 2025 Annual Sustainability Report is available online and can be accessed in full here.Related articles: