Empowering people through smart, sustainable campuses

Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness.  

At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect.  

For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.  

I recall a recent conversation with one university leader who described it as “walking a tightrope.” They wanted to create a greener campus to deliver on their net-zero commitments but were concerned that sustainability measures might compromise student and staff wellbeing or increase operational complexity.  

These conversations were echoed at this year’s Digital Universities UK event with Times Higher Education , where I had the opportunity to join leaders from across the sector to explore the role of digital transformation in building resilient, future-ready campuses. The message was clear: universities are navigating complex priorities - decarbonization, digitalization, and the student experience - all while under pressure to do more with less. Yet, the spirit of innovation and collaboration I witnessed throughout the event was inspiring. Institutions are not backing away from these challenges: they’re leaning into them with creativity, courage, and a willingness to rethink how their estates can serve people and the planet more effectively. 

The discussions reinforced a recurring theme I’ve seen across the sector: the idea that sustainability and operational performance must go hand in hand. And importantly, the reality is that these goals aren’t mutually exclusive; modern technology has evolved to help universities achieve both. 

By integrating advanced energy systems, IoT-enabled buildings, and AI-driven analytics, universities can optimize their energy use, reduce carbon emissions and create campus environments that empower the students and staff who use them every day.   

Smart infrastructure as an enabler of human-centric sustainability  

Universities are not just physical spaces; they are dynamic ecosystems that shape learning, research and collaboration. This means that any institution’s approach to sustainability needs to not only focus on the physical elements of building performance; it must prioritize the needs of people, ensuring the technology works for them rather than being imposed on them.  

Smart infrastructure’s ability to do this is what sets it apart. For example, intelligent building management systems can automatically adjust lighting, heating and ventilation based on occupancy levels, ensuring that spaces are both comfortable and energy efficient. Indoor air quality sensors help maintain a healthy environment, while real-time data analytics enable estate teams to identify inefficiencies and optimize performance. 

One example where implementing these solutions has made a tangible difference is the College of Charleston in South Carolina, which implemented a comprehensive campus modernization program to reduce energy, water and CO2 emissions and create more comfortable living and learning environments. The measures included LED lighting retrofits along with occupancy sensors, central energy plant upgrades and an upgrade to the latest Desigo CC building automation system from Siemens, which integrates all building systems to create a central command and control center, so energy is only used when it is needed. The project reduced the college’s carbon footprint by 30% and achieved annual cost savings of $1.8 million, with $500,000 of those down to the building automation system alone.  

What impresses me most is that sustainability and user experience can be mutually reinforcing rather than competing priorities. Implementing modernization programs means improved air quality, more consistent temperatures, and greater comfort across campus.  

Empowering students to play an active role in sustainable transformation  

Transforming campuses into spaces that truly serve students also means listening to the students themselves, which is exactly what we’re doing through our ‘Tech for Sustainability: Autonomous Eco Campus Challenge’;  Autonomous Eco-Campus | Siemens Innovation Ecosystem.

This global initiative invites students to expand on our Building X framework, using open APIs to break down data siloes and connect to other important systems on campus to improve sustainability outcomes. That means sustainability as we see it ‒ reducing energy consumption and emissions, but also ensuring the campus is optimized for wellbeing, productivity and long-term resilience.  

We are encouraging students to develop systems and algorithms that empower their colleagues to behave more sustainably on campus. That might look like integrating mobile apps that students can download with Building X to not only give them transparency on sustainability measures but also change their behaviour and allow them to play an active part in reaching sustainability goals.  

I’m convinced that the innovative concepts emerging from this challenge will be a testament to what’s possible when technology, sustainability and human-centered design come together. The ideas are currently under development, and I can’t wait to see the final outcomes.   

Sustainability: a shared opportunity  

This is not just about meeting today’s targets. Universities that embrace these forward-thinking approaches can position themselves as leaders in both environmental stewardship and the student experience but also set an example for other industries to achieve sustainability.  

Technology is most powerful when it empowers people ‒ our goal is to empower them to build a future where both people and the planet can thrive.