Atatürk University | SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy | Indicator 7.4.1
Reporting Year: 2025
Atatürk University supports community learning on energy efficiency, clean energy technologies, responsible energy consumption and environmental sustainability through educational outreach, student-led social responsibility projects, public seminars and awareness initiatives.
The University’s community engagement approach connects academic knowledge with local needs, enabling schoolchildren, young people and other community stakeholders to develop a better understanding of sustainable energy practices.
These activities are supported by the Social Responsibility Projects Application and Research Centre (TDM), academic departments, student groups and the University’s sustainability-related coordination structures.
In 2025, the University continued its community engagement infrastructure and organised sustainability-focused educational activities, while building on previously documented projects specifically addressing energy conservation and renewable energy.
1. Community Education on Energy Conservation
1.1. “Energy Saving Through Theatre” – Primary School Outreach
The project “Tiyatro ile Enerji Tasarrufu” (Energy Saving Through Theatre) provides a documented example of Atatürk University’s community education activities.
Organised by students from Tortum Vocational School, the project delivered an educational theatre performance to primary school pupils in Tortum, Erzurum.
The performance used the traditional Turkish characters Hacivat and Karagöz to communicate the importance of saving energy.
The initiative aimed to help children understand how everyday behaviours influence energy consumption.
Key educational messages included:
- Avoiding unnecessary electricity consumption.
- Switching off unused lighting and appliances.
- Developing responsible energy-saving habits.
- Understanding the importance of conserving energy resources.
The project demonstrates how creative educational methods can make energy efficiency accessible to younger audiences.
It was supported through the University’s community engagement and research project structures.
Evidence: Energy Saving Through Theatre – Project Report
Additional evidence: TDM – Energy Conservation Community Project Report
These are documented earlier projects illustrating the University’s established outreach experience, rather than newly verified 2025 performances.
2. Carbon Footprint Awareness and Sustainable Energy Behaviour
2.1. “What Is a Carbon Footprint?” Community Awareness Project
Atatürk University’s “Nedir Bu Karbon Ayak İzi” (What Is a Carbon Footprint?) project aimed to improve public understanding of the relationship between daily activities, energy use and environmental impacts.
The project addressed the concept of carbon footprints through educational and awareness activities.
Its subject matter is relevant to energy efficiency because electricity consumption, transportation choices and household energy use contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
Educational themes include:
- Understanding carbon footprints.
- Recognising the environmental consequences of energy consumption.
- Reducing unnecessary electricity use.
- Encouraging sustainable daily practices.
- Promoting environmental responsibility.
The project illustrates the University’s commitment to communicating sustainability concepts beyond formal academic teaching.
Evidence: TDM – What Is a Carbon Footprint? Project Report
The report documents an earlier community project and serves as evidence of institutional outreach experience.
3. Community Engagement with Clean Energy Technologies
3.1. Energy Recovery in Electric Vehicles
The community-oriented project “Elektrikli Araçlarda Süper Kapasitörlerle Enerji Kazanımı” (Energy Recovery in Electric Vehicles Using Supercapacitors) explored the role of energy storage technologies in improving electric vehicle efficiency.
The project addressed technical concepts relevant to:
- Electric mobility.
- Energy recovery.
- Supercapacitor technologies.
- Efficient energy storage.
- Sustainable transportation.
- Clean energy applications.
Student-led technology projects of this kind provide opportunities to connect engineering knowledge with public awareness of emerging energy solutions.
Evidence: Atatürk University Social Responsibility Projects Centre – Project Listings
3.2. Solar Energy and Renewable Electricity Demonstrations
The project “Increasing the Use of Green Energy (Solar Energy) for a Greener Future” illustrates the University’s engagement with practical renewable energy applications.
Associated with Oltu Vocational School, the project focuses on the use of solar energy for lighting.
The initiative offers an example of how renewable energy can be introduced through accessible applications.
Relevant learning topics include:
- How solar photovoltaic systems work.
- The use of solar electricity for lighting.
- The environmental benefits of renewable energy.
- Reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.
- Practical applications of clean energy technologies.
Evidence: TDM – Solar Energy for a Greener Future
3.3. Hydroelectric Energy and Environmental Impacts
The University’s Electrical and Energy Department has documented community-oriented project topics examining the economic and environmental aspects of hydroelectric power plants.
These topics provide opportunities for students and community stakeholders to consider:
- Renewable electricity generation.
- Economic implications of energy technologies.
- Environmental impacts of hydropower.
- Sustainable energy planning.
- The relationship between energy production and ecological protection.
Evidence: Electrical and Energy Department – Community Engagement Projects
4. Sustainability Engineering Seminar – 2025
4.1. Engineering for Sustainability
A significant sustainability-related educational event was organised in May 2025.
Atatürk University’s Climate Change Coordination Office and Faculty of Engineering announced the “Engineering for Sustainability” seminar for 9 May 2025.
The programme involved representatives of the Sustainability Steps Association (SADE) and GRUNDFOS, bringing external civil society and industry expertise into the University’s educational environment.
The event provided an opportunity to discuss sustainability-oriented engineering approaches and connect university participants with external stakeholders.
Its institutional significance includes:
- Cooperation with a sustainability-focused civil society organisation.
- Engagement with industry representatives.
- Discussion of sustainable engineering solutions.
- Knowledge exchange between academia and external organisations.
- Increased visibility of sustainability within technical education.
The involvement of an engineering technology company makes the event relevant to the broader discussion of efficient resource management and sustainable technologies.
However, the available event announcement does not independently establish the precise energy efficiency topics covered or the number of non-university participants.
Evidence:
Atatürk University Climate Change Coordination Office
Faculty of Engineering – Announcements, May 2025
5. Institutional Community Engagement Programmes in 2025
5.1. Social Responsibility Projects Application and Research Centre
The Social Responsibility Projects Application and Research Centre (TDM) provides an institutional mechanism for designing, coordinating and documenting community-focused initiatives.
The Centre supports projects involving university students, academic staff and external beneficiaries.
Its activities enable the University to connect academic knowledge with community education and awareness.
The Centre’s project portfolio includes initiatives related to:
- Energy conservation.
- Renewable energy.
- Environmental protection.
- Carbon footprint awareness.
- Sustainable technologies.
- Responsible consumption.
Evidence: Atatürk University Social Responsibility Projects Centre
5.2. Community Project Development Training – March 2025
On 20 March 2025, the University’s Social Responsibility Projects Centre participated in project development training organised through the Faculty of Sport Sciences.
The session was delivered by Asst. Prof. Ahmet Polatoğlu, Deputy Director of the Centre.
The training strengthened the capacity of participants to design and implement community-oriented projects.
Although the training was not specifically dedicated to energy efficiency, it supported the institutional mechanism through which environmental and sustainability outreach projects can be developed.
Evidence: TDM – Events and Training Activities
5.3. Community Engagement Projects During Spring 2025
The Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences reported the implementation of 59 social responsibility projects during the Spring 2025 semester.
The programme addressed several community needs, including environmental sustainability.
This demonstrates the University’s continuing organisational capacity to implement community-focused educational projects.
The figure of 59 represents projects across multiple subjects and should not be interpreted as the number of energy efficiency or clean energy programmes.
Evidence: Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences – Social Responsibility Projects
6. Public Communication and Green Campus Awareness
Atatürk University communicates its sustainability activities to audiences beyond the campus through public announcements, institutional news and digital platforms.
The University’s recognition among the world’s leading green universities has been accompanied by public communication highlighting:
- Energy efficiency initiatives.
- Renewable energy applications.
- Environmental infrastructure.
- Zero Waste practices.
- Green campus development.
- Sustainable transportation.
These communications can help improve public visibility of sustainable energy and environmental responsibility.
While public communication is a valuable supporting activity, it is distinct from structured community education programmes.
Evidence: Atatürk University – Among the World’s 250 Greenest Universities
7. Educational Methods and Target Audiences
The University’s community engagement model employs different approaches depending on the intended audience.
| Educational Approach | Target Audience | Energy and Sustainability Learning Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Educational theatre | Primary school pupils | Everyday energy-saving behaviour |
| Carbon footprint awareness | Community members and young people | Energy use and environmental impacts |
| Engineering demonstrations | Students and interested community audiences | Energy storage and clean technologies |
| Solar energy projects | Students and community stakeholders | Practical renewable energy applications |
| Community project activities | Local schools and community organisations | Environmental awareness and sustainable behaviour |
| Sustainability seminars | Students, academics and external stakeholders | Sustainability-oriented engineering and innovation |
| Public sustainability communication | General public | Energy efficiency and green campus practices |
The activities vary in scope and date. Earlier projects demonstrate established outreach experience, while the 2025 events and programme structures provide evidence of continued institutional engagement.
8. Contribution to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
Atatürk University’s community engagement activities demonstrate an established commitment to promoting energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and responsible energy consumption beyond the boundaries of formal university education.
Its documented outreach portfolio includes educational theatre on energy saving, carbon footprint awareness projects, solar energy applications, electric vehicle energy recovery and community-oriented renewable energy topics.
In 2025, the University continued to support sustainability education and community engagement through institutional project structures and the Engineering for Sustainability seminar involving external stakeholders.
By connecting university expertise, student participation, practical demonstrations and community education, Atatürk University contributes to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, Indicator 7.4.1: Community Programmes on Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy.
