Sustainability is paramount to our university’s development and is embedded in the 2023–2029 Institutional Strategic Development Plan, which sets the objective of “advancing toward a sustainable university.” Within this framework, the University has established a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, supported by a strategy that integrates planning, management, investment, and the participation of the university community.
This effort is spearheaded by the Vice-Rectorate for Administration and Finance led by Vice-Rector Álex Paz, which aligns decisions regarding environmental management with campus operations and infrastructure development. This work is carried out through the Environmental Management Program, which includes initiatives related to the efficient use of energy and water, waste management, mobility, biodiversity, and the measurement and monitoring of institutional emissions.
Through the Vice-Rectorate for Administration and Finance, we lead environmental management efforts and coordinate investments, campus operations, and the responsible use of resources to move toward carbon neutrality by 2035. We are committed to this work, measuring its outcomes, and creating conditions for the entire university community to participate. We want our campuses to reflect the PUCV’s commitment to caring for our ‘common home’ in their daily operations, and fostering sustainable development of both the region and the country,” explained Paz.
A key pillar of this approach is having access to data that informs decision-making and allows for the evaluation of progress. In this regard, for the fifth consecutive year, the PUCV has been awarded the ‘HuellaChile’ Quantification Seal—a recognition announced on September 23rd that validates the quantification of the institution’s carbon footprint. This result strengthens the monitoring of emissions and provides information to guide actions related to the goal of carbon neutrality.
According to institutional evaluation, the commuting of students, faculty, and support staff to and from the various campuses represents one of the primary challenges in reducing emissions. Therefore, the Environmental Management Program also includes initiatives designed to promote lower-impact mobility alternatives and to foster a comprehensive perspective on the travel patterns of the university community.
From Strategy to Execution
The Infrastructure and Campus Management Department plays a key role in implementing these strategic goals by developing specific projects and measures across various university spaces.
Enrique Escobar, Director of Infrastructure and Campus Management, noted that “the institutional strategy includes different scales of action: while some measures require significant investment or long-term planning, others depend on day-to-day decisions which, when taken together, can have a significant impact.”
One of the initiatives currently in place is the photovoltaic power generation plant at the Curauma Campus—one of the largest-scale projects the University has undertaken in this area. Based on this experience, there are plans to replicate such solutions elsewhere; a similar plant is expected to become operational at the School of Agronomy during 2026 or early 2027.
In terms of energy efficiency, the PUCV is also making progress by installing LED lighting and systems that provide more precise data on water consumption in individual buildings. These efforts are complemented by efficiency criteria integrated into the design of new infrastructure, taking into account factors such as building orientation, natural lighting, and climate control.
Escobar pointed to the Student Services building at the Sausalito Campus as an example; its design brings in natural light to reduce energy consumption for illumination while also helping to regulate the temperature of the interior spaces at certain times of the day.
Another area of focus is water management. There are currently 15 hydration stations distributed across the various campuses, providing filtered water and equipped with systems to track usage. This initiative aims to encourage the consumption of water provided on-campus and reduce the use of plastic bottles.
In terms of waste, the institution aims to reach approximately 80 tons of recycled material across its campuses by 2026, as part of a broader effort to enhance waste recovery and move toward more efficient materials management.
New Projects and Planning
Sustainability is also being integrated into projects currently in various stages of design and execution. One example is the new facility for the School of Food Sciences, which incorporates structural timber, natural light, efficient water and energy consumption, and environmental certifications.
“This building will be fully aligned with our goal of having infrastructure that supports the University’s sustainability strategy. The project includes environmental certifications and measures designed to optimize the use of natural light, as well as to ensure efficient water and energy management. We expect to finalize the design during the second half of this year, with construction planned to begin in 2027,” he added.
While some initiatives are already operational, others are in the design or execution stage, allowing for the progressive incorporation of environmental criteria into the planning of university infrastructure.
The University is also conducting a study on energy procurement to determine more precisely the sources of its energy supply and to evaluate alternatives for further reducing emissions. With 207,000 square meters of built space across 13 campuses, the scale of the University’s infrastructure is a significant factor in this planning process.
In relation to mobility, Escobar highlighted the promotion of lower-impact alternatives, such as the use of the trolleybus system and the Valparaíso Metro. Greater commitment from those who travel by car to share their rides with other members of the university community is also a need he emphasized.
Progress toward carbon neutrality by 2035 requires coordinated action across institutional planning, investment, campus management, the adoption of new technologies, and community participation. The PUCV bears the responsibility for planning, investing, and creating the conditions to move in this direction, while students, faculty, and staff contribute through their daily practices.
Activities during Sustainability Month
As part of Sustainability Month, which takes place in October, PUCV Sostenible has organized a series of activities and invites the university community to participate.
On Wednesday, October 14, at 9:30 a.m., the ASIVA seminar, “Sustainability and Business Strategy: Creating Value for Regional Development,” will be held at the Empresa Portuaria de Valparaíso auditorium.
Then on Tuesday, October 20, Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., a “Sustainability Fair” will take place at the IBC Building, the Sausalito Campus, and the Curauma Campus, respectively.
On Saturday, October 24, starting at 9:00 a.m., a beach cleanup event will be held at Cochoa Beach in Concón.
Activities will end with a virtual webinar titled “Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum in Higher Education: International Success Stories” on Tuesday, October 27, at 12:00 p.m., followed by the seminar, “Businesses Facing Climate Change: Challenges for Environmental Assessment,” at 9:30 a.m. at the PUCV Santiago campus.
By Pablo Díaz
Strategic Communications Department
