Akademiska Hus Annual Report

on Stockholm/Solna and Uppsala. In Stockholm/Solna plans are inplace to gradually transfer teacher training in Konradsberg to Frescatiand Albano along with expansion of the Karolinska Institute area inSolna. Expansion plans for the Karolinska Institute area are part of alarge-scale planning process, mainly in the form of extensive newconstruction for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences inUltuna. This construction will replace buildings which are older, readyfor demolition or which are in other ways unsuitable.Strict environmental objectives for greater sustainabilityThe Akademiska Hus property holdings are equivalent to approximately1/50th or two per cent of the non-residential properties inSweden. Energy consumption for heating, electricity and coolingamounted to approximately 870 GWh for 2007, which is equivalentto approximately 200 kWh/ m 2 gross area. In 2000, we set the targetof reducing energy consumption by 10 per cent before 2010. Thisobjective was achieved back in 2006, whereupon a new objectivewas set to reduce consumption by a further 20 per cent through to2025. This is the most important environmental objective for AkademiskaHus and a cornerstone in the task of bringing about greatersustainability. We have recently commenced extensive work onenergy declarations for all large buildings. These declarations will bean important basis for the future analysis of the potential forimproved energy management through increased investment ininnovative energy solutions. In our sustainability work in 2008 we willformulate a new five-year plan, complete with objectives andplanned measures to continue energy optimisation.Reforms expected for the largest customer groupThe government is at present conducting an unusually large numberof inquiries into higher education research. These inquiries, which areexpected to result in reforms in a whole range of areas in 2008 and2009, include the resource allocation system for undergraduate education,a less restricted position in certain respects for universities,an amended organisation of authorities that allocate governmentfunding to research, future teacher training and a research policy billfor 2008, which is expected to result in a greater investment inresearch in the future.In the fact that the focus at Akademiska Hus is firmly on premisesfor higher education and research it is particularly important topick up on changes at an early stage and to transform thosechanges into strategic property plans and competitive operationaldevelopment.Gothenburg, March 6, 2008Thomas NorellAkademiska Hus Annual Report 2007 | Statement by the President