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TU Wien Bibliothek as a Green Library

The library supports sustainability efforts at TU Wien with a sustainability concept that takes into account the library building, library services and environmental and social aspects. CO₂ monitoring and measures to reduce CO₂ emissions have been consistently implemented since the project began.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Climate Action

© United Nations

The library is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and has has been implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for several years now, within the framework of the ‘Green Library’ initiative. Together with TU Wien and internal and external partners, the library organised a wide range of events, exhibitions and activities such as ‘Wien radelt’ and the ‘Digital Cleanup Day’ in support of sustainable action. 

Using the ClimCalc tool provided by the Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were monitored up to the end of 2025. The goal was to reduce GHG emissions by 40 % compared to 2019 levels, a target that we came close to attaining with a reduction of 33 % or 130 t CO₂ equivalents. This was possible because of factors including the switch to eco-certified electricity, fewer business trips, teleworking, and reductions in material consumption.

At the same time, some consumption figures are rising, due in part to outdated building infrastructure or increasing digitisation. On the other hand, the TU Wien sustainability strategy (“fuTUre fit”) is expected to bring improvements in the future. For TU Wien Bibliothek, sustainability will remain a core issue after completion of the “Green Library” project.

TU Wien Bibliothek sustainability concept on Zenodo