Shaping the future: Anniversary of the Faculty of Sustainable Science!

Shaping the future: Anniversary of the Faculty of Sustainable Science!

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the School of Sustainability at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg on September 27, 2025, we will look back on the impressive development of this faculty. Since its founding, the faculty has raised almost 60 million euros in third-party funding and published 2,760 publications, making it an important driver for the sustainable transformation of science and society. In recent years, over 2,500 students and 260 doctoral students have been trained, which underlines the central role of the faculty in sustainability research.

The Dean of the School of Sustainability, Prof. Dr. Harald Heinrichs, emphasizes that the sustainable research work at Leuphana University has become a key science of the 21st century. The university began with a focus on environmental sciences back in the 1990s and continues to pursue this path with determination. Numerous events are planned for the anniversary semester under the motto “Future – Sustainability – Science”. These are intended to provide insights into the faculty's work and initiate discussions about the future of sustainability.

Initiatives to promote sustainability

Leuphana University is not alone in its sustainability efforts. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) promotes a culture of innovation for sustainability at universities and research institutions through the “Sustainability in Science” initiative. This initiative aims to support the sustainable transformation of science and now includes over 35 universities and non-university research institutions.

Students play an active role in this transformation by taking responsibility for the climate neutrality of their universities. University researchers and employees are developing concrete approaches for low-emission mobility management, resource-saving procurement and circular disposal. Involving regional transport companies in university projects not only benefits the universities, but also the university towns.

Transdisciplinary research and projects

Transdisciplinary research is a central element of the BMBF's “Research for Sustainability” (FONA) strategy. This promotes close collaboration between science and non-scientific partners such as companies and municipalities. An example of this are the “real-world laboratories” in which new ideas are tested under real conditions. Students are also involved in programs such as “hiking coaching,” which aims to promote sustainability among their fellow students.

Projects worth mentioning include:

• Projekt Senatra: Studierende entwickeln nachhaltige Schulwege in Zusammenarbeit mit regionalen Partnern.
• Projekt REKLINEU: Hochschulen erarbeiten regionale Kompensationsmaßnahmen für klimaneutrale Reisen.
• Projekt DiNaMo: Entwicklung nachhaltiger Mobilitätsangebote rund um den Campus Hannover.

The BMBF strives to firmly anchor sustainability in the structures of scientific institutions. This also includes a partnership with the University Rectors' Conference (HRK) to develop a sustainability audit for universities.

Overall, it is clear that the School of Sustainability at Leuphana University Lüneburg and the BMBF's initiatives represent a strong commitment to promoting sustainability and a shared future. As the faculty celebrates its 15th birthday, it is clear that the importance of sustainability research in today's world cannot be overestimated. The diverse activities and projects exemplify the path to a more sustainable future, both inside and outside of universities.