"Universities have a special responsibility when it comes to sustainability"

Ms Hollstein, the above recommendations were developed in advance of a sustainability strategy for the University of Erfurt, which has yet to be drawn up. Why is this needed at all?
Universities are not just places where students are educated, they are also places of research into the challenges facing our societies and institutions that help to shape their own environment and engage in dialogue with society. This is why they also have a special responsibility. Climate change, the disappearance of biodiversity and resources (such as fertile soils), as well as global inequality, poverty and hunger are global problems that are addressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). All nations are called upon to make a contribution to achieving these goals. Germany has also committed to this, as have the state of Thuringia and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK). We at the University of Erfurt are therefore also called upon to make our contribution. A sustainability strategy describes fields of action and specifies measures so that it is not just a general commitment, but can also be followed by concrete steps.

What areas does the topic of sustainability cover at the university - what do the recommendations focus on?
The recommendations for a sustainability strategy are based on the so-called "whole institution approach", i.e. a holistic approach, which has also been taken up by the Federal Ministry of Research. Working holistically as a university means focussing on sustainability as a multidimensional phenomenon. Education for sustainable development (ESD) is then not only a cross-cutting theme in teaching, but the learning processes and methods are also orientated towards ESD. The place of learning acts as a space for educational processes, e.g. by students, teachers and administrative staff consciously using energy and resources, maintaining an educational garden or favouring regional and fairly produced organic products for catering. Further training programmes for teachers and administrative staff are also part of this, as is involving everyone in decision-making processes. Universities with a holistic approach also cooperate with the local administration and other partners from civil society. The fields of action of the "Whole Institution Approach" therefore include teaching, research, governance, operations and transfer.

How is the University of Erfurt doing in these areas so far – what have we already achieved?
The University of Erfurt has already achieved a lot in all areas, e.g. we already have a large number of courses that implement education for sustainable development. Since the winter semester 2025/26, students can also collect credit points in ESD courses for a "Sustainability / Education for Sustainable Development" study profile, which can be certified at the end of their studies.

There are also a number of research projects in which academics at the University of Erfurt are working on sustainability topics. These are to be made even more visible in future.

Governance is strengthened by the Thuringian University Network for Sustainability, as this area also includes activities in cooperation with other universities in the state, such as the joint activities of the Head of Administration to organise joint energy management.

In my opinion, the University of Erfurt is already quite well positioned in the area of "Operations" – for example through the expansion of solar energy and the use of green electricity.

In the area of "transfer", which refers to cooperation with external partners, e.g. schools, associations, civil society players or companies, a lot is also already happening, for example in practical seminars and in the area of transfer-oriented research.

Thanks to the commitment of students, the University of Erfurt has also had a so-called "fair divider" for some time, which actively contributes to the reduction of food waste. This and other projects are being developed by the Sustainability Working Group and the Sustainability Department, which together act as an important driving force for sustainable campus development on the part of the students.

That all sounds pretty good, where do you as the Sustainability Officer still see a need for action?
Of course, there is room for improvement in all areas. In the area of teaching, I would like to see an expansion of the service learning teaching format, which links teaching more closely with practice partners and enables students to experience themselves as self-effective. Many students already bring valuable experience and commitment with them, which needs to be taken up and developed further. This requires appropriate programmes such as more independent funding formats so that early-stage researchers in particular can also develop innovative ideas and not just follow the ideas of third-party funders. We must also always keep sustainability in mind when renovating our buildings. "We are currently thinking about setting up a green office. I would be delighted if we could implement this project in the near future." And, of course, the aspects of social justice enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals should always be consistently considered and integrated into all development processes.

How did the recommendations for a sustainability strategy come about - who was involved?
The initiative originally came from students who wanted a "Green Office" for the University of Erfurt. However, in order not to let such a project stand on its own, but to embed it in our considerations on sustainability on campus as a whole, the university has now decided to develop a sustainability strategy. An important first step in this direction is to look at what is already happening and available at the University of Erfurt in terms of sustainability and where there is still a need for action. For the joint project "KLIMA-N" (Climate Network for More Sustainability in Thuringia), we were fortunately able to acquire funding from the Federal Ministry, which gave us the opportunity to employ assistants who then developed corresponding recommendations for a sustainability strategy. They were supported by the Sustainability Task Group (professors and employees from science and administration), who commented on the recommendations and provided suggestions for improvement. The recommendations for a sustainability strategy are therefore the result of a joint effort by all status groups at the University of Erfurt.

And who is now implementing the whole thing, what are the next steps?
The recommendations initially formulate goals that can be achieved without additional financial resources. We are currently working with the Presidium to prepare a proposal for the establishment of a "Green Office". Of course, as Sustainability Officer, I would like to make my contribution to this and I am also hoping for support from the sustainability network of Thuringian universities – you don't have to reinvent everything, you can also look to others for good practice examples.

Just dream: what would the University of Erfurt look like in ten years' time in terms of sustainability?
In ten years' time, the large squares at the entrance to the university and in front of the library will be unsealed, trees will provide shade and a drinking fountain will allow students to fill up their reusable water bottles with the university logo. The students learn to a large extent in service learning modules in cooperation with practice partners in real learning environments and thus contribute to overcoming social challenges. The research examines what conditions for success are needed to enable us all to contribute to a sustainable, democratic, peaceful, just and lovable global society. Sustainability has become a key feature of the university's profile and is attractive to students who have a particular interest in sustainable issues and whose commitment is specifically encouraged here.

That would be a nice thought...