Sustainability at universities: develop - network - report (HOCH^N)

How can sustainable development be achieved in higher education institutions? How can a common understanding of sustainability and transformation be developed within a higher education network? What contribution can universities make to sustainable development in the fields of sustainability reporting, governance, teaching, research, operation and transfer?

These questions are the focus of the joint project Sustainability at Universities: develop - network - report (HOCHN). The field of action "Operation" is the responsibility of the TU Dresden (Prof. Dr. Edeltraud Günther, Business Administration, in particular Operational Environmental Economics) together with the Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz (Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bernd Delakowitz, Professorship for Business Administration, in particular Sustainability Management and Operational Environmental Economics). The Environmental Protection Group and the Sustainable Campus Project support the project group in developing guidelines for the implementation of sustainability strategies in the operational processes of a university.

Taking larger steps at TU Dresden

The aim of the event "A Roadmap to Sustainable Universities - Development Paths to More Sustainability Using the Example of the TU Dresden" has been to advance the TU Dresden on its way to more sustainability. The event took place on 5 & 6 November 2019 and was organised by the Environmental Protection Group together with partners from the HOCHN network,

More than 100 participants accepted the invitation and presented their ideas and experiences at various theme tables. In her lecture, Nora Sophie Griefahn from Cradle to Cradle e. V. pointed out possibilities for creating a positive ecological footprint and motivated people to rethink.

Shaping sustainable development together at the TU Dresden. The event has lent more attention and dynamic to this process. From the many impulses and suggestions now also larger steps will be able to follow.

Working group "DRESDENconcept for environmental and climate protection"

The working group connects partners of the science and culture association DRESDEN-concept, who dedicate themselves to environmental and sustainability-related topics in their facilities. The exchange of knowledge and experience creates synergies that are used to implement joint initiatives and to raise awareness among decision-makers. The main objectives are summarized in the following five fields of action:

• Networking and knowledge transfer; expansion of cooperation in business, society and decision-makers
• Mobility and CO2 emissions when traveling; implementation of the "Climate Protection Program 2030"
• Procurement; economic efficiency considers the total costs incurred through procurement, use and disposal (life cycle costs)
• Resource management (building management, waste avoidance / separation); procurement of 100% green electricity for the Free State's properties
• Design of the outdoor area; biodiversity

Network Environment

The Environmental Protection Group and the Sustainable Campus Project participate in regular exchanges with EMAS-certified universities via the "Network Environment at Universities and Research Institutions in the Eastern Region". Cooperation and exchange with other universities, scientific organisations and institutions provide important impulses for meeting the complex challenges of sustainable development. In cooperation with other sustainable universities, scientific institutions and organizations, there is the possibility of a continuous further development of the environmental management and a sustainable campus.