To achieve this goal, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar will be investing one percent of its annual budget to its own environmental protection projects. These funds will be used to implement measures and projects that will noticeably improve environmental sustainability standards and reduce energy costs. Examples include improved sun protection in the University Library, switching to photovoltaic energy and modernising heating systems.

»Making the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar a sustainable institution and adhering to the ›Whole Institution Approach‹ is the goal we are striving towards.  Our campus plays an important role thanks to our ability to decrease our carbon footprint here in Thuringia in a concrete, effective and local way«, explains Dr. Ulrike Kuch, Vice President for Social Transformation.

The university is currently facing the challenge that although the state of Thuringia owns the majority of the university’s properties, measures to improve environmental sustainability are not covered by the state. The university itself is responsible for covering operating costs and other sustainability measures. As a result, the university must apply for additional funding from the state’s strategy and innovation budget. A total of 1,550,000 euros will be available to fund sustainably-oriented projects this year.

The Senate encouraged idea proposals in December 2023 and at the most recent meeting in February 2024, the »1% für Nachhaltigkeit« proposal from the Sustainability Team and Chancellor Dr. Horst Henrici was well-received. The proposal is based on an approach that integrates existing structures and processes.

The Sustainability Team, which is made up of Dr. Ulrike Kuch (Vice President for Social Transformation), Dr. Tonia Schmitz (»Stabstelle für nachhaltige Entwicklung«), Steven Mac Nelly (Environmental Officer), and advisory member Prof. Dr. Eckhard Kraft (Climate Officer), will now be working together with university partners to determine how the initial structural measures will be implemented in the second half of this year.