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Cologne's university is setting new standards: sustainability for the future!
The University of Cologne is committed to sustainability until 2030 with new programs, initiatives and an international master's degree.
Cologne's university is setting new standards: sustainability for the future!
The University of Cologne has set itself ambitious goals to anchor sustainability more firmly in its operations by 2030. This emerges from a recent communication detailing the various initiatives and programs to promote sustainable practices within the university. A central component of these efforts is the new Sustainability Research Hub, which serves as a networking platform for research and sustainability.
As part of a series of events called “ Sustainability Lunch Talks " will discuss how laboratories can operate more sustainably through so-called Green Lab initiatives. One of these events is dedicated to the question of how research results on climate change can be communicated in schools through artistic projects. This multidisciplinarity and the exchange of knowledge are essential components of the institution's sustainability agenda.
International cooperation for environmental studies
From the winter semester of 2025/26, the University of Cologne will also... Joint International Master of Environmental Sustainability (JIMES) offer. This is being conducted in collaboration with Bharati Vidyapeeth University in India and aims to integrate diverse scientific, technical and policy perspectives to address complex environmental problems.
The course offers students the opportunity to spend a semester at the partner university and delve deeper into various topics such as climate science, geospatial technologies and environmental governance. Practical experiences through fieldwork and internships are intended to give participants the skills they need for a career in the green economy and climate policy. The master's thesis is carried out under joint supervision between the faculties of both universities.
Initiatives and measures for sustainability
The university promotes innovative ideas and commitment through one Sustainability Action Fund, which is open to all members of the university. Funded projects range from converting outdoor areas into flowering zones to reducing plastic consumption in laboratories. A novel initiative Sustainability Walk, allows citizens to discover various campus locations that focus on sustainable practices.
In order to make university operations more climate-friendly, the university has installed new photovoltaic systems and implemented infrastructure measures that are part of the comprehensive implementation plan for the sustainability strategy. These initiatives are in line with the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD 2030) program, which defines a long-term roadmap for sustainable education and supports the building of skills to address environmental challenges.
Through these actions and programs, the University of Cologne not only aims to establish its own sustainable practice, but also actively contributes to creating a basis for decision-making for future-oriented action in society. The university's efforts are part of a comprehensive approach through the BMBF framework program for research for sustainable developments is supported.