Universität Hamburg—becoming a sustainable university

Center for a Sustainable University (KNU)

The Center for a Sustainable University (KNU) was established in 2011 to anchor sustainability at Universität Hamburg across the faculties and administration and worked until 2019 to support the process of shaping Universität Hamburg into a university for a sustainable future.

Three sustainability reports have also been prepared since 2012, initially supported by student initiatives. In 2016, the University strengthened its sustainability strategy with the adoption of a sustainability commitment by the Executive University Board and was the first research university to issue a declaration of compliance with the German Sustainability Code (DNK).

In addition, Universität Hamburg joined several sustainability-related partnerships and initiated the nationwide research alliance Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions (HOCH-N), in which it assumed the role of spokesperson. In 2017, Universität Hamburg participated in the development of the National Action Plan on Education for Sustainable Development (NAP ESD) of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Excellence Strategy at Universität Hamburg

With its successful application for the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments, Universität Hamburg has committed itself to making sustainability a guiding principle for further development of the University and, as such, a central strategic goal. The guiding principle of “Innovating and cooperating for a sustainable future” was created to this end.

This is reflected in, among other things, 4 clusters of excellence in the fields of astrophysics, photon sciences, climate research, and written artifacts research.

Climate and environmental protection management

After many years of advancing sustainability activities and measures, the Center for a Sustainable University (KNU) set up working groups on relevant areas of activity and an overarching coordination group under the leadership of the Executive University Board members responsible. Within this framework, the working group for the climate-friendly use of resources (Arbeitsgruppe Klimaorientierte Ressourcennutzung) deals with the issue of climate action.

It is coordinated by a climate and environment representative and a climate protection manager.

Chief sustainability officer and the Sustainability Office

Universität Hamburg has had a chief sustainability officer since December 2022. The chief sustainability officer and her staff in the Sustainability Office want to build on the concepts introduced by the KNU and HOCH-N to develop and implement, using a participatory approach, an integrated sustainability strategy for the University.

The goals are an evidence-based link between sustainability, digitalization, and knowledge exchange; a variety of participatory formats; and the establishment of a culture of participation and cocreation.

Based on these goals, the Sustainability Office has 2 core responsibilities: impact measurement and reporting as well as community management.