Greenhouse gas emissions report

Each year, the DCE draws up Aarhus University's climate accounts. Read more about the calculation method and see previous years' accounts on this page.


Behind the reports

The reports contains an overview of greenhouse gas emissions by AU converted into CO2 equivalents (CO2-eq). The reports gives AU greater insight into its climate impact and provides a baseline for assessing whether the university is on the right track in reducing its CO2 emissions.

The figures in the Aarhus University GHG emissions report are calculated retrospectively every autumn, when the emissions factors for the past year have been determined.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG)

Aarhus University's GHG emissions report is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol), which is a recognised method of calculating emissions of greenhouse gases by converting them into CO2 equivalents divided into three so-called scopes:

  1. Direct emissions from the university's property, e.g. from boilers or combined heat and power production at AU, as well as in connection with the use of motor vehicles, operating the research vessel Aurora, or emissions from agricultural activities.
  2. Indirect emissions related to the university's purchase of heating, electricity and cooling, for example.
  3. Value-chain emissions, which include purchases and air travel.

This approach is used by both companies and public institutions as a framework for determining the company's/institution's CO2 emissions. 5,000-7,000 companies and institutions use the tool globally. Fewer than 10% of them use scope 3.

Read the greenhouse gas emissions reports


2022: Webpage or PDF


2021: Webpage or PDF


2020: Webpage or PDF


2019: Webpage or PDF(in Danish)


2018: PDF(in Danish)

Contact information

If you have any questions please send an email to greenteam@au.dk or contact AU's Green Team.