BAUHAUS.INSIGHTS: Sustainability as a Matter of Course – The 2023 Environmental Report
Sustainability is more than just reducing emissions: It is a commitment to socially responsible behaviour. At the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, sustainability and environmental awareness are more than just theoretical concepts – they are both a driving forces and a guiding principle. But what does it mean to make a university sustainable? Since the summer of 2023, the Sustainability Team, led by Vice President for Social Transformation Dr. Ulrike Kuch, has been working on implementing concrete changes.
For our BAUHAUS.INSIGHTS series, we spoke to the university's Environmental Officer, Steven Mac Nelly, about what has been achieved so far, the goals for a more sustainable future in research, teaching and operations, and the challenges along the way. Mr. Mac Nelly is a member of the Sustainability Team and one of the two authors of the recently published 2023 Environmental Report, the third report of its kind.
The report investigates areas with the greatest impact on the university’s CO2 emissions, including electricity, natural gas, and water consumption, as well as waste management, vehicle fleet, and air travel. It also looks at how materials and services are procured at the university.
Mr. Mac Nelly, the 2023 Environmental Report examined various aspects that affect the university's CO2 footprint. Can you give us some concrete examples of progress made by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in terms of sustainability?
82 per cent of our heating still relies on natural gas still, which makes up the largest share of our total emissions. But thanks to the mild winter, the adjustment of the heating curves (so heating systems provide only what is needed), and the increased awareness among users, we have been able to reduce consumption compared to previous years. We need to keep this up!
Paper consumption has also decreased steadily over the past few years. The »print everything« culture is slowly disappearing. The number of air travel bookings, however, has increased significantly post-COVID, from 31 flights to 309 flights. The university emitted approximately 1,874 tonnes of CO2 in 2023, which is about 15 per cent less than in previous years.
You are a member of the Sustainability Team: What is the team working on now and what has it achieved so far?
Recently, a lot has been happening in and around the Sustainability Team: Workshops on the sustainability strategy, largely developed by Dr. Tonia Schmitz, came to a close last week. Participation was high, and I am confident that the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar will be able to develop a suitable long-term sustainability strategy.
The bold decision was made to invest one per cent of the budget in sustainable projects. Currently, a steering committee, which includes members of the Sustainability Team, is discussing how to allocate these funds most effectively.
Prof. Eckhard Kraft will be stepping down after five years as Climate Officer. His dedication has been pivotal and his work includes shaping the current form of the Environmental Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the environment, research, and teaching.
Furthermore, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is now involved in both established and new sustainability networks. These include, most notably, the ThüLeNa-Projekt, the DG HochN e.V., the netzwerk n and the NAThüringen e.V. sustainability agreement. Three subject-specific work groups have also already been established: First and foremost, the »AG Nachhaltigkeit der Universitätsbibliothek«, the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineersing’s »AG Nachhaltigkeit«, and theFaculty of Architecture & Urbanism's »AG SÖRF«. The StuKo (Student Government) cargo bike rental, as well as the procurement of an additional cargo bike by the Media Technical Service (MTS), is also very exciting.
We are also working on having the university certified by the EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme), one of the European Union’s most important environmental management systems for establishing sustainable operations.
The university is pursuing an ambitious goal with the planned EMAS certification. What does the university need to do to achieve EMAS certification, and what are the long-term goals?
The goal of the EMAS process is to independently verify our efforts to improve environmental performance. This enhances transparency and credibility, both internally and externally, and can positively affect external funding applications. We still need to completed a number of steps, such as developing and implementing an environmental program. The foundation for this has been set through a Presidential Board resolution, and we can now begin our work.
Implementing statutory requirements is often associated with challenges. What are the current obstacles you see on the path to a sustainable Bauhaus-Universität Weimar? And how do you - or should I say - how does the university plan to tackle them?
The challenges are and will be wide-ranging. The permanent challenges include our buildings’ infrastructure: many of our buildings are in need of renovations, but also there are also structural challenges that come with running a state institution. Additional challenges stem from a new state government and an increasingly strained budget situation in the coming years.
The financial development, described in the November 2024 Senate session as a transition from a »nosedive to a descent«, is something I am facing with optimism. We are aiming to fund environmental improvements through the »1% budget«. These measures not only enhance environmental performance, but also bring significant cost-reduction potential, making them partially self-financing. As soon as these measures are fully implemented, they have the potential to substantially lower operating costs, thus relieving the financial budget. I’m hoping to see a willingness to continue the »1% initiative« so that we can gradually decarbonise of university properties.
In my opinion, commitment and pragmatism are crucial in addressing the challenges. Creative problem-solving, clear and transparent communication, and trust in colleagues provide a foundation for achieving what is possible.
Sustainability can only be achieved through joint commitment. How important is individual contribution, and what can students, faculty, and staff do to help achieve sustainability goals?
Every individual’s contribution matters, whether through small daily decisions or larger projects. Collective action is the only way that Bauhaus-Universität Weimar can meet its sustainability goals and serve as a role model.
Students, faculty, and staff can play a critical role in sustainability and energy-saving measures. We can all contribute to change through conscious consumption and getting involved in projects. Teaching staff and researchers can incorporating sustainability topics into teaching and set an example through mindful behaviour.
Students and staff can contribute in a meaningful way by implementing energy-saving measures into their everyday life. Through mindful resource use, creative collaboration, and strong teamwork, we at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar can achieve our sustainability goals together and set an example for other institutions.
Mr. Mac Nelly, thank you much for the interview.
The complete 2023 Environmental Report can be found on the »Sustainable University« website, along with the 2021 and 2019 Environmental Reports: https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/profile/sustainable-university/environmental-reports/
The BAUHAUS.INSIGHTS questions on the 2023 Environmental Report were asked by Luise Ziegler.