7.2.4. Plan to Reduce Energy Consumption
IGU has structured and detailed its plans for reducing energy consumption within the scope of its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan. The regulations and practices implemented in this context have been described in detail under the relevant sections above. The Plan includes targets such as reducing the use of energy sources such as electricity and natural gas, increasing renewable energy capacity, and increasing the proportion of green areas.
Some of the key targets and planned areas of implementation are summarized below:
- Electricity consumption: Electricity consumption was 4,829,516.19 kWh in 2025, and the target is to reduce it to 3,500,000 kWh by 2028.
- Renewable energy source capacity was 3,915,000 kWh in 2023 and is planned to at 4,000,000 kWh for 2024-2028.
- Natural gas consumption: No direct target has been specified for natural gas consumption; however, reductions are envisaged within the plans aimed at reducing total energy consumption.
- Transition to highly energy-efficient equipment
- Automation and improvements in mechanical systems (e.g., chiller replacement and LED conversion)
- Awareness-raising activities across the campus
- Expansion of automatic shut-off systems in unoccupied areas
- Regular monitoring and reporting of energy consumption in all buildings
Click here for the Strategic Plan.
Some of the measures to be taken to reduce energy consumption are listed below:
·Savings-oriented practices in water, electricity, heating, and transportation should be continued, and decisions should continue to prioritize the procurement of environmentally friendly products that provide energy savings and have low carbon emissions.
·Activities aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar energy, should be expanded, and efforts should be made to enable the University to meet its own energy needs.
·Necessary measures should be taken to ensure that newly constructed buildings are environmentally friendly green buildings.
Table 6. Strategic Plan Objective 3 (SA 3) / Target 2 (SH 2): Increasing the Effectiveness of the Sustainable Environmental Management System
| Purpose 3 (SP 3) To make multifaceted social benefit more effective by centering sustainability | ||||||||
| Goal 2 (SG 2): To increase the effectiveness of the sustainable environmental management system |
Plan Starting Value 2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
Actual 2025 Data | |
|
3.2.1 |
The university's ranking in the green, environmentally friendly university index (Türkiye) |
58 |
55 |
50 |
48 |
45 |
40 |
71 |
|
3.2.2 |
The university's ranking in the green, environmentally friendly university index (World) |
674 |
650 |
625 |
600 |
575 |
550 |
669 |
| 3.2.3 | Electrical energy consumption (kw.hour) | 3,901,005 | 3,900,000 | 3,800,000 | 3,700,000 | 3,600,000 | 3,500,000 | 4,829,516.19 |
| 3.2.4 | Water consumption (m³) | 51,683 | 51,500 | 51,000 | 50,500 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 34.678 |
| 3.2.5 | Annual amount of recycled water (m³) | 110 | 110 | 115 | 120 | 125 | 125 | 125 |
| 3.2.6 | Total amount of waste (kg) | 43,031 | 43,000 | 42,750 | 42,500 | 42,400 | 42,300 | 44.780 |
| 3.2.7 | Amount of waste recycled (kg) | 21,423 | 21,500 | 22,000 | 22,500 | 23,000 | 23,500 | 31.538 |
| 3.2.8 | Amount of organic waste (kg) | 14,471 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 2.811 |
| 3.2.9 | Hazardous waste amount (kg) | 186 | 200 | 210 | 220 | 220 | 220 | 165 |
| 3.2.10 | Green area ratio (%) | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 24 |
| 3.2.11 | Smoke-free airspace rate (%) | 99.7 | 99.7 | 99.7 | 99.7 | 99.7 | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| 3.2.12 | Capacity of renewable energy resources (kw.hour) | 3,915,000 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 4.80 |
An analysis of IGU sustainability data for 2025 indicates that, within the framework of corporate environmental management strategies, the amount of recycled waste exceeded the target threshold of 22,000 kg, reaching 31,538 kg; meanwhile, annual water consumption was recorded at 34,678 m³, remaining significantly below the targeted value of 51,000 m³ and resulting in notable resource savings. During the same period, the volume of recycled water successfully met the target of 125 m³, hazardous waste management processes remained well-controlled, and the smoke-free airspace ratio maintained its stable level at 99.7%.
Driven by academic expansion dynamics across the campus, annual electrical energy consumption stood at 4,829,516.19 kWh. In line with its carbon footprint reduction targets, the institution aims to step up its dedicated efforts toward reinforcing renewable energy infrastructure and advancing energy efficiency strategies.
Table 7. Strategic Plan Objective 2 (SA 2) / Target 3 (SH 3): Participating in the Entrepreneurial and Innovative University Ecosystem
| Purpose2 (SP 2) To increase scientific and technological research culture and competence within the framework of national and international standards | ||||||||
| Goal 3 (SG 3): To take part in the entrepreneurial and innovative university ecosystem |
Plan Starting Value 2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
Actual 2025 Data | |
|
2.3.1 |
Number of national and international patents, utility models or designs applied for |
76 |
78 |
82 |
86 |
90 |
95 |
197 |
|
2.3.2 |
Number of finalized national and international patents |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
29 |
| 2.3.3 | Number of resulting national and international utility models or designs | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| 2.3.4 | Number of active companies established within TDC | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 31 |
| 2.3.5 | Number of students involved in Technology Transfer Office (TTO) projects | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 49 | 52 | 897 |
| 2.3.6 | Number of projects carried out jointly with universities, institutions or organizations abroad | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 2.3.7 | Number of internationally funded projects | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
| 2.3.8 | Number of active faculty member technology companies | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 10 |
| 3.2.9 | Number of events that bring together entrepreneurs and supporters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 2.3.10 | Number of innovation and entrepreneurship themed courses | 74 | 76 | 78 | 80 | 82 | 84 | 94 |
When evaluated within the framework of SDG 7, the relevant indicators presented in Table 7 are considered an indicator of R&D capacity and innovative infrastructure for clean energy technologies. The institution's performance exceeding its 2025 targets in patent and utility model applications and registration rates enhances its potential to contribute to the development of clean and sustainable technological solutions.
The increase in the number of active companies within the Technology Development Center (TDC) and students participating in Technology Transfer Office (TTO) projects demonstrates the strengthening of qualified human resources and entrepreneurial capacity. Furthermore, internationally funded and joint projects, along with innovation courses in the curriculum, foster global collaboration and academic awareness to support the clean energy transition. Consequently, based on direct and indirect outputs, these indicators reveal that the institutional research and technology ecosystem plays a leveraging role in achieving SDG 7 goals.