KBSU is among the «green» universities of the planet according to the UI GreenMetric rating
According to the results of participation in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking published on December 12, 2022, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov for the first time entered the number of «green» universities in the world. The UI GreenMetric World University Rankings rating agency, which was established in 2010 by the University of Indonesia (Depok), ranks universities around the world in six categories: convenient university infrastructure; the use of energy-efficient and water-saving technologies on the university campus; university waste recycling and water conservation programs; convenient transport routes on the university campus, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and harmful particles; environmental education in the educational programs of the university.
The purpose of this ranking is to evaluate the current state and policy of the university related to green campus and sustainability in universities. It reflects the efforts made by the institution to implement environmentally friendly and sustainable policies and programs. In general, the ranking uses the concept of environmental sustainability, which includes three elements: environmental, economic and social. The environmental aspect refers to the use of natural resources, environmental management and pollution prevention, while the economic aspect refers to saving costs and making a profit.
The social aspect includes education, community and social inclusion. The assessment of the university’s activities is carried out on six indicators: environment and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transport, education and research. To participate in the ranking, universities need to provide not only quantitative data about their university, but also confirm this information with a link to regulatory documents, scans of orders, news from the media, photographs, etc.
In the Green Metric 2022 ranking of the «greenest» universities on the planet, H.M. Berbekov ranked 952 among 1,050 participating universities from 85 countries, and 47 among 52 Russian universities. KBSU has the highest scores in the groups of indicators «Education and Research», «Location and Infrastructure» and «Energy and Climate Change». Along with KBSU, the rating includes two universities of the North Caucasus Federal District — North Caucasus Federal University and StGAU. Recall that within the framework of the implementation of the Priority 2030 Program, KBSU is implementing two strategic projects in this direction.
The strategic project «Kabardino-Balkaria — the territory of resorts and tourism: a new paradigm of treatment, rehabilitation and medical tourism» is aimed at rebooting the resort and tourism industry. Activities under the strategic project «Water well-being and green economy» are aimed at studying the potential of water resources of the KBR and the transition of the region’s economy to a sustainable development model (social and environmental well-being).
A model of the hydrogeological architecture of the region and the ecosystem of the Terek river basin has been developed. Much attention is paid to the transition to a low-carbon economy, including intensive apple orchards. A scientific base has been formed for solving the problems of biodiversity conservation.