Since 2008, Hof University of Applied Sciences has been pursuing a clear focus on sustainable action with the mission statement of the “Green Tech University”. This mission statement forms the basis for creating a long-term balance between ecological, social and economic requirements. With the university-specific sustainability strategy, a framework with concrete measures has been created to systematically promote sustainable development and anchor it in everyday university life in the long term. According to Sustainability Manager Anja Grabmeier, the focus here is on the “whole institution approach”.
Ms. Grabmeier, what does the Whole Institution Approach at Hof University of Applied Sciences mean in practice?
“With the Whole Institution Approach, we are focusing on a holistic sustainability strategy that encompasses the areas of teaching, operations, research and transfer.”
How was the strategy developed? Who was involved?
“The strategy was developed in a participatory process. An interdisciplinary project team was formed for each area of action, consisting of representatives from teaching, research and administration. We developed the content of the sustainability strategy together in workshops.”
What role do students play in the implementation of the sustainability strategy – and how can they play an active role in shaping it?
“Students were also involved in the development of the sustainability strategy. In addition, students can submit constructive suggestions and implementation ideas at any time via the student improvement management system Change it!”
How is the sustainability strategy structured?
“The sustainability strategy comprises goals and measures, systematically structured according to the areas of governance, living space, place of learning and place of research and transfer. Each measure is presented with objectives, expected results, verifiable indicators, time frame and its contribution to sustainable development.”
How will the strategy be implemented? Who is responsible and how will progress be monitored?
“An internal description of measures is available for each measure to ensure efficient implementation. The aim is to start implementation as quickly as possible. The process is managed and monitored by the GreenTech staff unit, which was established on the basis of the sustainability strategy. The actual implementation is the responsibility of the university members in their individual fields of action – naturally supported by the staff unit.”
Some time has passed between the creation and publication of the strategy – what developments or initial successes have already been achieved?
“Yes, a year has now passed. With the GreenTech staff unit, a central office has been set up to coordinate the areas of sustainability, environmental, energy and climate protection management, represented by me as Sustainability Manager and the Energy Manager and Environmental Management Officer Oliver Stark.
The staff unit took over environmental management at the beginning of the year and the ISO 14001 monitoring audit was successfully completed in May. In addition, a greenhouse gas balance was carried out and a reduction path was derived, which is essentially based on measures from the sustainability strategy, the environmental targets relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the results of the “Energy self-sufficient Hof University of Applied Sciences” project.
Further insights into measures already implemented and other sustainability-related activities at the university can be found on the university’s website.”
Sustainability at Hof University of Applied Sciences
Can you give us a brief outlook on what happens next?
“The greenhouse gas balance shows that the majority of emissions are attributable to the purchase and use of thermal and electrical energy. In addition to the implementation of smaller measures to reduce energy consumption, such as converting selected lecture halls to LED lighting, an energy management system is being introduced and the expansion of in-house energy generation through photovoltaics is being driven forward.”
