The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is the consortium leader of the European University Alliance »BAUHAUS4EU - A European University for Resilient, Sustainable, Inclusive and Beautiful Regions«, an alliance that has set itself the goal of contributing to sustainable and inclusive campus development at all 10 university locations of the project. The consortium covers a total of 9 European countries and thus offers the opportunity for a rich, topic-related exchange of experience at international level, including local/regional challenges and solutions. Sustainable campus development is a core topic of this long-term project and is addressed in two dedicated work packages. The alliance will be financed by EU funds (ERASMUS +) for a period of 4 years from January 2025. 

Based on the guiding principles of education for sustainable development (ESD) at universities, the cross-university project »Thuringia teaches and learns sustainably« (ThüLeNa) aims to promote teaching innovations, holistic perspectives and transformation skills in engineering education. ThüLeNa is intended to help increase the attractiveness of engineering studies and attract sustainability-oriented milieus to work in key engineering industries.

Supporting the creation of a climate protection concept is the aim of the »Future Forum Climate-Friendly Universities«, which is being carried out by netzwerk n, the University of Vechta and the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. Bauhaus University is one of seven German universities taking part in this project.

The central approach is the involvement of all status groups in this project and the focus on empowering students with the aim of promoting a student-driven sustainability transformation. In coaching sessions, they are empowered to act strategically and make a targeted contribution to the change process at their university.

The goals for the universities are

• Short-term: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10%.
• Long-term: Implementation of comprehensive climate protection concepts in the sense of a whole institution approach.
• Long-term: Role model function, transfer and networking with other stakeholders and organizations in the region.

At the beginning of the project, the greenhouse gas emissions at the participating universities are assessed and existing climate protection strategies, if any, are analyzed. Based on this analysis, fields of action are identified and goals are set. The universities are then supported and advised by external expert teams.

EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is the relevant system for environmental management and environmental auditing according to the UGA environmental verifier committee. The procedure supports organizations and companies in improving their environmental performance and reducing environmental risks. EMAS certification provides the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar with an effective tool for sustainable corporate management that promotes the implementation of operational environmental protection measures, saves resources and costs, and raises awareness on sustainability issues in the university context.

Would you like to introduce and promote climate protection and sustainability measures at the Bauhaus-Universität with your colleagues? Get in touch, we will support you in this endeavour!

Netzwerk n is a non-profit association that uses nationwide projects to show ways in which students, doctoral candidates and young professionals can contribute to the sustainable development of their universities. Since January 2023, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has been part of the BMWK-funded project »Future Forum Climate-Friendly University« by supporting a total of seven German universities in the creation of a holistic climate protection concept for their institution. Information and the invitation to participate can be found on this website and via the StuKo's Sustainability Department (currently in progress).

The German Society for Sustainability at Universities is a non-profit association that is committed to the sustainable development of universities in Germany. To this end, various events (hubs) are organized for almost all areas of higher education in which sustainability-related issues are discussed as closely as possible to their application. All hubs can be attended free of charge by all members of the Bauhaus-Universität. Hub dates and the invitation to participate can be found on this website and via the Sustainable Development Staff Unit.

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is the consortium leader of the European University Alliance »BAUHAUS4EU - A European University for Resilient, Sustainable, Inclusive and Beautiful Regions«, an alliance that aims to contribute to sustainable and inclusive campus development at all 10 university locations of the project. The consortium covers a total of 9 European countries in 10 European regions and thus offers the opportunity for a rich, topic-related exchange of experience at international level, including local/regional challenges and solutions. More information on the Alliance and the Green and Inclusive Campus Task Force can be found on this website and via the Sustainable Development Staff Unit.