The climate protection team at Furtwangen University (from left): Vice-President Prof. Dr. Ulrike Salat, Maren Gernsheimer and Nico Eisenkrämer (Climate Protection Management HFU), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Gloistein, Head of Administration, Andrea Linke and Climate Protection Manager, Dr. Sandy-Cheril Manton. (Not in picture: Prof. Dr. Christoph Reich)
Furtwangen University's sustainability measures take effect - funding continues
Furtwangen University (HFU) is sending out a clear signal for climate protection and sustainability − as part of a two-year funding programme, the HFU climate protection team has developed a comprehensive climate protection concept to achieve the greenhouse gas neutrality required by the state government. “Sustainability is not just a scientific issue − it is a social responsibility that we want to exemplify as a university,” emphasizes HFU Head of Administration, Andrea Linke. “We see climate protection as an integral part of our research and educational work. With the climate protection concept, we have reached another milestone that helps us to actively shape the future.”
The climate protection team has analysed the climate-relevant emissions of all 30 HFU buildings on all university campuses, as well as the mobility of students and employees, among other things, in a current survey. The catalogue of measures includes concrete approaches to reducing emissions, which were also supplemented by members of the university in workshops at the individual locations. HFU is also focusing on structurally anchoring climate protection and sustainability − a Senate Committee for Sustainability has been in place since 2021 and central climate protection management has been successfully established. In addition, the university has strengthened its focus on sustainable development by creating a Vice-President for Research and Sustainability.
“Our task as a university is not only to impart knowledge, but also to be a pioneer for sustainable innovation,” emphasises Prof. Dr. Christoph Reich, Vice-President for Research and Sustainability at HFU. “By anchoring sustainability as a topic which is integrated across the board in research, teaching and our daily activities, we are creating a basis for long-term change. Our aim is to empower our students, staff and researchers to actively shape the transformation towards a more climate-friendly society.”
“The comprehensive catalogue of measures shows numerous options for action for the university, and we are very pleased that the recently approved funding will enable us to take care of climate protection with a strong team for another three years,” adds Prof. Dr. Ulrich Gloistein, Representative for Climate Protection on the HFU Executive Board. Under his leadership, the climate protection management team has already implemented initial measures, such as replacing all lamps with energy-saving LED lamps, and will now use the developed concept to further strengthen the position of climate protection in research, teaching and administration.
Two scenarios have been developed with the climate protection concept: in the comparison scenario, which does not take into account any specific HFU measures, a saving of 39% CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) would be achievable by 2030 compared to 2019 through nationwide progress in climate protection alone; in the scenario that includes the implementation of the measures developed, the HFU could reduce emissions by up to 60%t CO₂e. The remaining residual emissions are due to external factors such as public transport, which will only become climate-neutral in just under two decades.
“The challenge of implementing climate protection in a complex structure like our university is great − but so are the opportunities,” says Head of Administration, Andrea Linke. “By joining forces and adopting innovative approaches, we will show how universities can play a leading role in the fight against the climate crisis.”
More information on the topic of sustainability can be found on the Furtwangen University website: https://www.hs-furtwangen.de/zukunft-verbinden/gesellschaft/nachhaltigkeit.