Sustainability in campus operations

Together with Stefan Doogs, head of Facilities Management at the University of Erfurt, employees from the Green Office were given the opportunity to visit areas of the campus that are not normally accessible during the day-to-day running of the university. This is because sustainability plays a role not only in research and teaching, but also in the day-to-day running of a university – from energy supply and rainwater management to the design of open spaces.

A visible example is the photovoltaic systems on the roofs of buildings C21 (KIZ) and C03. Further solar installations are already planned for the sports hall, which is nearing the end of its refurbishment, and the new cafeteria. The aim is to generate an ever-increasing proportion of the campus’s electricity requirements directly on site in a climate-friendly manner.

The university is also prioritising sustainability in the design of the campus itself: wherever possible, sealed surfaces are being removed and replaced with green spaces. The large areas of (flowering) meadows not only create a more pleasant campus atmosphere, but also help to mitigate the increasing summer heat and allow rainwater to seep away more effectively. In view of increasingly frequent heavy rainfall events, this is an important contribution to protecting the buildings from flooding in the long term.

However, looking to the future also reveals the challenges posed by climate change. For example, the university library’s cooling system could reach its limits during periods of extreme heat. Adapting to the changing climate is therefore already an integral part of building management.

The campus management team made it clear that sustainability in university operations comprises many measures that often go unnoticed. At the same time, there remains potential for improvement and a need for action. The involvement of students and employees is also important in this regard. This ensures that sustainability issues remain on the agenda and are further developed – not only from the perspective of those who run the campus, but also of those who use it every day.

A little tip to finish with: there are fruit trees dotted around the campus, which are there for everyone to enjoy. Anyone passing by them in the summer is welcome to pick and enjoy the fruit.