Diagnosis
To guide the development and monitoring of its CAP2037 transition strategy, UNIL has chosen to use the Donut conceptual framework developed by economist Kate Raworth (2017). This framework makes it possible to establish a diagnosis highlighting the gap between the current situation and the targets to be achieved by 2050.
CAP2037 websiteThe UNIL Donut: a navigation tool for the ecological and social transition
In order to guide the development and monitoring of its transition strategy, CAP2037, UNIL has chosen to mobilise the Donut conceptual framework of economist Kate Raworth (2017). This framework combines planetary limits (Rockström et al., 2009) with social minimums to ensure a safe and just space for humanity.
In practice, for the environmental ceiling, it is a question of defining, on the basis of scientific knowledge, the target values to be reached to enable the institution to respect the planetary limits and, on the other hand, to quantify the current environmental impacts of the University.
This exercise of declinaison of Donut at UNIL allows us to establish a diagnosis highlighting the écart between the current situation (in red) and the targets à To be achieved by 2050 (in green), corresponding to the major international initiatives arising from the Paris Agreement in particular.
As for the social floor of the UNIL Donut, it has not been quantified to date, but work is underway (see below).
For each plan limit, a detailed analysis makes it possible to identify UNIL's main environmental impacts and thus to define the main areas for action. Due to the availability of data, UNIL is essentially documenting its carbon footprint and its footprint on global biodiversity as part of the CAP2037 transition strategy, but the actions undertaken aim to be consistent with other planetary limits as well. In terms of UNIL’s carbon footprint, the main areas of impact are as follows:
In terms of the impact on UNIL's overall biodiversity, the main areas of impact are as follows:
Reduction curve for UNIL's greenhouse gas emissions
In terms of carbon footprint, moving from red to green means that UNIL will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050. The assumption is that the remaining 5% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 can be captured using non-greenhouse gas emissions techniques, enabling UNIL to achieve carbon neutrality.
This curve corresponds to UNIL's contribution to achieving the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement, i.e. to maintain the increase in global temperature at a constant level by 2100 and to make even greater efforts to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C degrees above pre-industrial levels.
More information on the UNIL Donut social floor
The social floor of the Donut at UNIL has not been quantified for the time being because the existing data is not sufficient to define and inform the state of the quality of life in the UNIL community. In order to fill this gap, UNIL is collaborating with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (Donut Economics Action Lab) to develop a methodology for quantifying social minimums for all. On the other hand, UNIL is mobilising the expertise of an interdisciplinary working group made up of researchers, student representatives and UNIL departments in order to quantify this social floor in the coming months.
At this stage, CAP2037 does not therefore contain any specific objectives concerning the social aspects of the Donut, but these have been considered in the definition of the objectives linked to the planetary limits, particularly with regard to possible co-benefits or co-damages.
A critical look at the Donut conceptual framework
UNIL has chosen to mobilise the Donut conceptual framework to guide its transition strategy because it has the following advantages:
- Acknowledgement of all planetary limits, not just the climate.
- Articulation of environmental and social issues.
- Setting thresholds to enable targets to be set.
- Existence of a methodology for defining territories or entities.
This conceptual framework also has limitations and gaps that it is important to consider and document. The Centre de compétences de l’UNIL actively monitors publications on the Donut, stimulates critical reflection on it within the UNIL research community and is working on a publication on the limits of the Donut conceptual framework (to be published). A scientific watch is also underway on planetary limits. At this stage, CAP2037 does not therefore contain any specific objectives concerning the social aspects of the Donut, but these have been considered in the definition of the objectives relating to the planetary limits, particularly with regard to possible co-benefits or co-damages.