Green Office Uni Bonn
We are the student-led sustainability office at the University of Bonn.
As the central point of contact for all sustainability issues, we are dedicated to networking students with the teaching and University staff with the aim of integrating this important issue in the University DNA. Formally affiliated with the University Sustainability Unit and Vice Rectorate for Sustainability, we are also a member of an international alliance, the Network of Green Offices.
Are you interested in learning more about what the University is doing for the environment and about sustainable development?
Do you have any suggestions or criticism?
Would you like to set up a sustainability working group or do you need support in realizing a sustainability project?
We are on hand to help!
Projects
Sustainability Reader
The Green Office is currently preparing the first University of Bonn “Sustainability Reader” for publication in 2022. Providing extensive information on the topic of sustainable development at the University of Bonn in the areas of teaching, research, operations, governance and social affairs, it will place a particular focus on the goals set, measures and projects realized and potential for improvement in this area.
The Sustainability Network
The Green Office is dedicated to the establishment and extension of sustainability working groups to support the work conducted towards sustainability at the institutes, faculties and divisions at the University of Bonn. We believe that the staff of these units know best where the scope for improvement lies. As such, we seek to network existing working groups and to recruit those interested in joining the move towards sustainability.
Would you like to establish a sustainability working group at your institute or faculty? We provide help and assistance to all those wishing to network with like-minded individuals.
Proposal for a more sustainable canteen
At the end of July, various stakeholders presented a proposal for a more sustainable canteen to Studierendenwerk Bonn. A fruit of collaboration between Students for Future Bonn and other groups, it has the backing of the Student Parliament, the General Students' Committee, PAN Uni Group Bonn, the Fairtrade University Bonn student initiative, Foodsharing Bonn, Fridays for Future Bonn, Health for Future Bonn, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences Green Office and us!
The proposal covers the following aspects:
- Vegetarian/vegan food is to become the new “normal.”
- Targeted nudging is to be used as means to promote a climate-friendly diet.
- Different measures are to reduce food and packaging waste.
- Better labeling of ingredients and CO2 emissions of dishes are to improve access to and communication for a more sustainable diet.
- Long-term feasibility and practical implementation of the concept is to be tested during a month-long trial run.
We are very pleased that Studierendenwerk Bonn has warmly welcomed our ideas and we are curious about next steps in the process. The proposal is available here.
Events
Sustainable Science Slam
April 22, 2022
The evening’s spotlight was entirely on research projects and ideas for a sustainable future. Researchers passionate about sustainability, from the fields of biology, textile archaeology, forestry, agriculture, botany and behavioral economics explained what a more sustainable future could look like. Hosting the event was René Deutschmann, a known poetry slammer and host from Bonn.
The evening kicked off with a non-competitive performance and political message by Theresa Hartmann, winner of the 2020 Green Week’s Science Slam, who stated that while consumers were responsible for choices in their everyday shopping, they were not to blame for the climate crisis and unfair conditions around production processes. She called on policy makers and businesses to provide a framework for consumer behavior.
The event continued with six Sustainable Science Slam performances, presented in blocks of three. Two slammers participated online, with Philipp Swoboda dialing in live from Graz and Fatimal Ali from Omdurman, and it was up to the audience to nominate the winner for the best performance of the evening. Due to two equally popular performances, the audience in the end crowned two winners: Leandra Hamann for her presentation on sea quirts as a solution to the problem of microplastic marine pollution and Philipp Swoboda for showing how basalt can be used as fertilizer for a more sustainable use of land.
If you didn't make it to the event, you can still enjoy the performances on our YouTube channel.
We would like to thank all slammers for their interesting acts and look forward to welcoming everyone at next year’s event.
Sustainability Day
May 12, 2022
Sustainability Day on the Poppelsdorf Campus was of course an event the Green Office was bound to get involved in. At our stand we gave visitors information on sustainability projects in place at the University and provided a forum for ideas and exchange. We were delighted to be able to speak with so many people in person and would like to thank everyone for their numerous ideas for a more sustainable University.
Additionally, we had organized a little hands-on activity: Those who were not afraid to get their hands dirty were taught how to make seed balls to prepare their home garden or balcony for the summer and help the bees at the same time.
Those who were unable to join us can easily make their own seed balls at home using our recipe.
Join in!
We are a small young team with three employed students. We currently have no vacancies, but always welcome volunteers.
We can also put you in touch with a range of University groups active in this area. A list is available on the AStA web page.
Opening hours
We currently do not have regular opening hours, but are planning to hold office hours as soon as the pandemic situation allows.
Contact us by telephone or email!
