Ca' Foscari turns down the heat by 1°C in a call for peace

The conflict the world has been witnessing over the past week has noticeable repercussions on gas supplies on a European and national level. Ca’ Foscari has decided to make a change by turning down the heat by 1°C in its buildings.

This initiative was proposed by Professor Elena Semenzin, Delegate for Sustainability, and will start at the end of this week and last until the heating is turned off in mid April. 

On Friday 11 March, the university will join “M'illumino di meno”, a national campaign which advocates energy saving and the use of clean energy, to which Ca’ Foscari participates every year by promoting specific actions related to sustainability. 

The current war is increasing the distance that separates us from achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, with peace being one of the key conditions for the welfare of humankind and of the planet. The 2030 Agenda devotes Goal no. 16 to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

Lowering the temperature by 1 °C in university buildings will result in savings amounting to about 5%, which can be increased if other universities and institutions decide to join this initiative. 

While we understand that this choice involves the reduction of comfort in classrooms, study rooms and offices, we encourage all members of the Ca’ Foscari community to show their support in favour of a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine, including doing so by reducing the use of electricity and of heating, and wearing warmer clothing.