METU has policies that require all new buildings and renovations to meet energy-efficiency standards.

Energy Management System Policy (April 2024)

On 16 April 2024, METU published its first Energy Management System Policy (document EnYS-PL-01) and Energy Management System Handbook under ISO 50001:2018. In August 2024, METU received ISO 50001:2018 certification for its Energy Management System. The policy states: 'We select the products that are most suitable in terms of energy efficiency and support all designs based on improving energy performance.' It also commits METU to continually improving its energy performance.

METU's Energy Management System has been certified to ISO 50001:2018 since 27 August 2024 by A'ND International Certification Services, a certification body accredited by TÜRKAK (certificate no. T50001/68/2024, valid until 26 August 2027). The certificate covers METU's education and research activities, its scientific, cultural, artistic and sports events, and the administrative services that support them.

METU's Energy Management System Handbook (document EnYS-EK-01, published 16 April 2024) sets energy criteria for procurement: when METU buys energy services, products and equipment that affect significant energy uses, its specifications tell suppliers that the purchase will be evaluated partly on energy performance, and energy criteria are defined in the specifications and contracts for energy-consuming equipment. The handbook also requires the energy policy to be reviewed at least once a year at the management review.

https://eyb.metu.edu.tr/tr/haberler/iso-500012018-enerji-yonetim-sistemi-standart-sertifikasi-hk

Strategic Plan 2023–2027

METU Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (approved at the joint meeting of the University Senate and the University Administrative Board on 26 April 2022), Objective O4.2, Strategy S1: 'Improvement of our campuses in line with the principles of eco-friendly, healthy and safe, energy-efficient, sustainable, and smart campuses, while preserving their original architectural qualities. Renewing the old and worn-out infrastructure installations, making them compatible with the developing technology, and bringing new structures to our campuses in line with the current Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation regarding accessibility, fire, and energy.' Performance indicators PI4.2.1 and PI4.2.2 set yearly budgets for improvement projects in campus buildings and outdoor infrastructure (2025 targets: TL 15 million and TL 6 million).

https://sp.metu.edu.tr/system/files/SP_2023-27-ENG.pdf

In practice, renovations to install LED lighting, automatic climate control, motion-sensor lighting and energy-efficient equipment while preserving the original buildings of the Çinici masterplan are carried out. New buildings follow smart-building principles: daylighting, solar shading and efficient building services.