Preface
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is taking a direct approach to the global safety concern that is climate change. Climate neutrality and sustainability are to become the standard. Following on from student initiatives – such as the climate strike – the university has started the process of firmly embedding this issue. Volunteer activities such as the Climate Working Group or the establishment of the Climate Officer position contribute in this connection. This environmental report is an important milestone for the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar on its way to becoming a climate-sensitive and environmentally-protective university.
Within this context, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar – being intrinsically motivated – has responded to a call for tender for the EU initiative »New European Bauhaus«. The New European Bauhaus is a creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the EU’s »European Green Deal« with living spaces and experiences. The application phase was used intensively to become more familiar with the existing strengths from a sustainability perspective, and to connect these in a target-oriented manner. Climate neutrality and sustainability will serve as supporting pillars for the institution, influencing it and its public image in the long term.
I am delighted that we are able to transparently include the public in this process. On behalf of the entire Presidium, I would like to thank everybody involved, especially Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Kraft and his team for their conceptualisation, coordination and leadership in the preparation of the report, as well as for their comprehensive advice to the University Directorate and administration with regard to climate issues.
Prof. Dr. Jutta Emes
p.p. President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Contents
- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in numbers
- Environmental performance (Mobility; Electricity; Heating energy; Waste; Drinking water and wastewater; Materials and procurement; CO2-footprint)
- Research and teaching (Research projects; Courses)
- Contribution to sustainability
Foreword
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar draws on its historical role model BAUHAUS to find answers to key questions – not only societal – using methods of today. In the anniversary year 2019, the university was able to look back on 100 years of Bauhaus. By awarding the Bauhaus. Professorship to the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, Ms Patricia Espinosa, in the anniversary year, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar committed itself to a focus topic of global significance. This became very clear during an opening discussion round entitled »Diplomacy and Participation – Pathways to Sustainable Solutions in Climate Policy« with her at the beginning of the anniversary year. The challenges are nothing new. Half a century ago, the Club of Rome’s report entitled »The Limits to Growth« reached a global audience. The ever-advancing stage of climate change and its tangible effects are triggering social discussions about sustainability. The incipient change in investment behaviour favouring a future for the environment brings to light a multitude of contradictions and questions for broad social strata. Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is taking a multifaceted approach to addressing these issues in teaching, art and research. To be perceived as a credible ambassador of solutions in this connection, the institution must strive transparently for climate neutrality and the sensible, sustainable use of resources. For this, a state of resilience is necessary. This will enable the university to identify areas of action, formulate goals and implement specific measures in a timely manner.
I am very pleased that this environmental report represents an honest and resilient basis of environmental performance, teaching and research. May the report be a starting point for iterative process loops that actively influence sustainability at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. This can be the basis for the institution achieving its own sustainability code, which will allow us to take an avant-garde approach to this crucial topic, too.
The future is now!
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Kraft
Climate Officer at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Bibliography
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Information on Involvement
For their involvement, and in particular for their qualified provision of data, we would like to thank the following persons:
Service Centre for Facility Management, Director: Dipl.-Ing. Architektin Claudia John
Service Centre for Security Management, Director: Dipl.-Ing. Dirk Schmidt
Substances Officer of the Faculty of Civil Engineering: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Stefan Stäblein
Project Group Bauhaus 2050+: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Conrad Völker, Prof. Dr. Guido Morgenthal
University Communications, Director: Yvonne Puschatzki, M.A.
Research Operations Office, Head of Department: Dr. rer. nat. Kristina Schönherr
Office of Student and Academic Affairs, Head of Department: Dipl.-Kulturwiss. (Medien) Gudrun Kopf
Deans of Studies
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Sigrun Langner
Faculty of Art and Design: Jun.-Prof. Dr. Alexandra Toland
Faculty of Civil Engineering: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Conrad Völker
Faculty of Media: Prof. Dr. Björn A. Kuchinke