For a Future Worth Living - Sustainability at the University of Bonn
Sustainability plays an important role in the organizational development of the University of Bonn. The last years have already seen the launch of a number of initiatives in the area of sustainability, including a steering group to develop a central sustainability strategy.
The importance which we at the University of Bonn attach to this issue is demonstrated by the establishment of the new Vice Rectorate for Sustainability, who started their work in the first half of 2021. Success in this area was recognized last year by award of the status of “Fair Trade University”.
Launch of the University of Bonn “Green Office”
In an opening celebration, the new sustainability office run by University of Bonn students presented its first joint initiative with NEiS (Verbraucherzentrale NRW) and the Studierendenwerk themed “Foodsharing in Germany – Enjoying Food, Sharing Knowledge”, which focused on providing tips on avoiding food waste and information on exciting projects at the University. The Studierendenwerk Foodtruck served delicious bruschetta made from ingredients that were saved from going to waste, and visitors were able to test their knowledge on food storage in a related quiz. The final touch was a “hot” presentation of a service learning project (INRES) in which students demonstrated how to reuse coffee grounds as a sustainable grill lighter.
Sustainable September
„Sustainable September“ 2021 premiered as the first sustainable themed month at the University of Bonn – and there are many more to come! Students, employees, researchers as well as lecturers participated with great commitment, working towards more sustainability in our university and everday-lifes.
Thanks to everyone taking part!
Events:
- Upcycling Workshops in cooperation with Bundeskunsthalle1
- Rhine Clean Up2 2021
- Fair goal wall shooting, organized by the student initiative fairtrade university
- Free potatoes, apples (Wiesengut) and saved food at the INRES Institute32 in cooperation with NEiS431 and supported by the foodharing initiative5
Award: The University of Bonn is a “Fair Trade University”
2020 saw the University of Bonn advance to the status of a “Fair Trade University”.
Electrified: 100 % green electricity
Since November 1, 2019, the electrical sockets in the University of Bonn issue only electricity generated from ecological or renewable energy sources, thereby effecting a considerable reduction in the carbon footprint of the University.
Wanted: Sustainable ideas
The University of Bonn has made available a funding for projects seeking to increase sustainability which have been suggested by University members. All University members are encouraged to engage in this process by submitting their ideas via e-mail.
This budget will fund projects designed for example, to achieve sustainable reductions in energy, material and water consumption and reduce the volume of wastewater, exhaust air and waste generated by University operations. Funding will also be granted to proposals designed to protect the environment and which seek to influence the behavior of University members (e.g. awareness raising and information campaigns). Update! We are pleased to announce that applications from the University Hospital Bonn will also be accepted, effective immediately.
University of Bonn supports „Bonn4Future – Wir fürs Klima”
The participatory project “Bonn4Future – Wir fürs Klima”4 is a cooperation between the Transition Town Initiative Bonn5 and the City of Bonn6. Civic participation is thereby organized to connect the civil society with the city administration. Citizens enter into dialogue with institutions, civil stakeholders and corporations to support the City of Bonn on its way to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
The University of Bonn officially supports the project “Bonn4Future” and participates in an interactive sustainability map8 – a first component of a newly emerging sustainability platform for Bonn.
University of Bonn supports the Hamburg Declaration
On June 4, 2021, the German Rector’s Conference issued the Hamburg Declaration “Facing the Grand Challenges of Climate Change and Sustainability”. The recommendations are based on the comprehensive international review “Universities facing Climate Change and Sustainability” commissioned by the Körber Foundation. The University of Bonn supports the Declaration and commits to implementing its recommendations.
Sustainability in Research
The issue of sustainability is also assuming an ever-greater role in the research conducted at the University of Bonn. Whether relating to construction materials, fuels and sustainability in plant breeding or development policy, our researchers are working on projects with a wide range of solution-oriented and interdisciplinary approaches.
TRA 6 - Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Futures
This Transdisciplinary Research Area is a research consortium made up of a range of researchers drawn from different faculties and non-university research organizations, all investigating questions of sustainability.
Center for Development Research (ZEF)
The Center for Development Research is an institute of the University of Bonn. Its researchers seek to develop scientifically sound solutions to questions of development policy.
Klein-Altendorf Campus
The teaching and research units of the Faculty of Agriculture are concentrated at the Klein-Altendorf Campus. 2009 saw the establishment of a new research area “renewable raw materials”.
