Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Projects

Introduction of intracting and 1% regulation

In January 2024 the Senate favorably approved the suggestion of the Planning and Budget Committee to create a funding basis for an initial 2 years of 1% of the funds of all budgeted units for measures that contribute to

a quantifiable improvement in environmental performance (in accordance with ISO 14001:2015-11; 3.4.11) and/or
an improvement in energy-related performance (ISO 50001:2018; 3.4.6).

As a result, from 2024 on, start-up funding of around €1.3 million will be available for measures in construction and operation if they demonstrably lead to a reduction in the university's carbon footprint.

BAUHAUS4EU

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.

Illustration: Claudia Zech und Johanna Diesel

Thuringia teaches and learns sustainably (ThüLeNa)

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.

These goals are to be achieved through four interlinked measures:

Development and anchoring of digital sustainability modules in engineering degree programs
Establishment of a cross-university micro degree as a certificate
Establishment of a pool of materials on basic sustainability issues
Development of qualification programs for education for sustainable development in university teaching.

Through these measures, ThüLeNa is making a significant contribution to preparing the next generation of engineers for the challenges of sustainable development and strengthens their ability to shape a sustainable future.

ThüLeNa project partners are FH Erfurt, TU Ilmenau, EAH Jena, FSU Jena, HS Nordhausen, HS Schmalkalden and Bauhaus-Uni Weimar. The project runs from 2024 to 2028 and is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.

SDG Campus

The SDG Campus is a digital learning platform that offers learning opportunities on technologies in the context of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first courses have been open to the public since October 2022 and can be taken by students from the eight participating network universities. The range of courses is being continuously developed.

The aim is to use the learning opportunities to promote the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary skills of students in order to tackle global challenges such as the climate crisis, famine or the protection of animals and the environment with technology-based solutions.

The SDG Campus is funded by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education as part of the joint project »Open T-Shape for Sustainable Development«, which is coordinated by Hamburg University of Technology and HafenCity University Hamburg. Other project partners of the SDG Campus are the Technical University of Dresden, the Technical University of Munich, the Technical University of Berlin, RWTH Aachen University and Bauhaus University Weimar. The project runs from 2022 to 2025.

Graphic: Zukunftsforum Klimafreundliche Hochschulen

Future Forum Climate-Friendly Universities (ZKH)

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.

Graphic: EMAS

External certification according to EMAS

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.