The University of Trento joins a symbolic "energy silence" by taking part in the initiative launched by Caterpillar Rai Radio 2 for the Day of energy saving and sustainable lifestyles, next Friday. Lights will be switched off in the evening at Palazzo Sardagna and in Mesiano, at the Departments of Law and Sociology, at Molino Vittoria, the Cavazzani Building and Palazzo Piomarta in Rovereto. UniTrento invites its staff and the academic and student community to commute sustainably on Friday, 11 March. By choosing renewable energy sources, UniTrento significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, with savings equal to the emissions of 125 trucks
Friday 11 March is the Day of energy saving and sustainable lifestyles. Caterpillar, the popular show that airs on Rai Radio 2, promotes the event now in its eighteenth edition with its campaign "M'illumino di meno" (I use less light), inviting the participants to join a symbolic "energy silence". The University of Trento has decided to take part in the initiative again this year, in view of its commitment to environmental sustainability and energy saving.
On the Day of energy saving and sustainable lifestyles, the external lights of some university buildings will be switched off at 19.30. The switch off will begin at Palazzo Sardagna, which houses the Rectorate, and continue with the Mesiano campus, the Law and Sociology departments, Molino Vittoria and the Cavazzani Building (at 20.30) in Trento, and Palazzo Piomarta in Rovereto. The symbolic switch-off comes with an invitation by UniTrento to its staff and academic and student community to commute using alternative means of transportation on Friday. The participants can enter the number of kilometres they travelled to unitrento-sostenibile [at] unitn.it and the University will calculate the positive impact on the environment of these sustainable choices.
The commitment of the University of Trento however is not limited to a single day or to a single initiative. Two years ago, the University created the "UniTrento sostenibile Green Office" as a think tank to explore and implement ideas that foster sustainability in many areas. One of the first initiatives was to use 100% renewable energy from renewable sources, certified, in all its buildings and facilities. A commitment that earned the University of Trento a certificate, awarded by Dolomiti Energia, that proves that energy is from renewable sources, generated without producing greenhouse gases. A choice that benefits the environment: considering that the University's energy consumption in 2021 was 20.92 GWh, savings equal the emissions of 125 trucks.
The commitment of UniTrento extends to its car fleet, that will be completely rebuilt with full electric cars.