UM’s Carbon Footprint: An Initial Assessment to Guide Action
On September 24, 2024, the University of Montpellier officially launched its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment (BEGES), an initiative designed to accurately measure the carbon footprint of its teaching, research, and operational activities. The results, published in October 2025, reveal an average footprint of 1.05 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per person (including students and staff) for the year 2023.
Conducted by the consulting firm NEPSEN, this assessment was carried out using the Bilan Carbone® methodology developed by ADEME. This is the University of Montpellier’s first comprehensive carbon footprint assessment, which forms part of its ecological transition master plan. The goal is to identify the main sources of emissions in order to better guide future reduction efforts.
Travel at the heart of the shows
In 2023, the institution’s activities generated 56,818 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents, or an average of 1.05 metric tons per member of the university community. The largest source of emissions is transportation, particularly commuting, travel between campuses, and travel related to internships. A “mobility” survey conducted among students and staff made it possible to precisely quantify this impact. After transportation, the next largest contributors are energy consumption, waste, fixed assets, and purchases.
A strategic tool for the green transition
This first BEGES serves as a valuable decision-making tool. It will form the basis for an ambitious action plan aimed at achieving a 5% annual reduction in emissions. Through this structured approach, the University of Montpellier reaffirms its commitment to taking concrete action on climate change and its leading role in the ecological transition within the higher education and research ecosystem.