Sustainable Development
Universities want to – and must – become more sustainable. In this context, every campus faces its own challenges and requirements. With so many green goals, it's easy to feel lost and lose the courage to take action.
That's why Hochschule Geisenheim University has established the Department of Strategic University Development and Sustainability as a central sustainability hub. The department is responsible for implementing a holistic approach to sustainable development at the university – known as the ‘Whole Institution Approach’ – and defining sustainability goals.
The Whole Institution Approach includes five areas of action: university administration/governance, operations, teaching & student affairs, research and knowledge transfer. Our goal is to make the entire university as resource-efficient as possible. This is done transparently, with broad participation from members of the university and with the intention of strengthening and encouraging existing commitments.
Our Green Office serves as the university's central hub to get involved and shape a sustainable university. Supported by students, the Green Office drives sustainable initiatives and sparks collaboration.
Because sustainability is more than just a label or a nice gesture! It is a commitment to real action, which can be seen across campus – in classes, greenhouses, labs or tea kitchens. With the Department of Strategic University Development and Sustainability, the university aims to recognize and encourage this commitment and drive collaboration between university members.
Our Definition of Sustainability
Inspired by the 1987 Brundtland Report, Hochschule Geisenheim University defines sustainability and a sustainable development as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. In this context, we are guided by the integrated sustainability model, which categorizes actions as sustainable if they can be implemented within the planet's boundaries (ecology) in a socially just (social) and economically efficient manner (economy). In addition, we are guided by the 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and the UNESCO program “Education for Sustainable Development: Towards achieving the SDGs” (ESD for 2030).
For more information and an overview of our projects and initatives, please visit the department's website.
