What is the Sustainability Office?
The Sustainability Office at the University of Paderborn serves as a hub for direct collaboration between research, teaching, operations, and knowledge transfer on sustainability issues. We foster connections both internally and externally and strengthen the focus on the transformation process in the university’s day-to-day operations.
Institutional responsibility lies with the Vice President for Financial and Human Resources Management and the Vice President for Transfer and Sustainability. Strategically, the Sustainability Office is linked to the vice presidents of the University of Paderborn, thereby laying the foundation for a sustainable transformation process in 2023.
Multiplier function
The Sustainability Office is represented by the Head of Sustainable Infrastructure, Matthias Gierth, and the Sustainability Officer, Friederike Häusler. This direct link between administration, research, and teaching paves the way for the further development of a holistic sustainability strategy. The goal is to strengthen a shared understanding of sustainability at all levels of the University of Paderborn.
We see ourselves as a connecting element, as multipliers, and as a voice for issues related to the transition toward greater sustainability. The establishment of the Sustainability Office was a first step on the path to this transition. However, we neither want nor are able to pursue this path alone. That is why we place great emphasis on transparency, fostering understanding, and ensuring the participation of all university constituencies.
Consequently, the Sustainability Office serves as a point of contact for the many individual initiatives led by students and dedicated staff members who have already gained valuable experience through their intensive work on sustainability issues in recent years.
Sustainable operation
In the Sustainable Infrastructure division, we lay the groundwork for the university’s internal transformation process.
Department 5 for Construction Affairs, Building Management, Technical Operations, Occupational Health and Safety, and Sustainability is responsible for the University of Paderborn’s operational sustainability issues within Division 5.5, Sustainable Infrastructure.
Sustainability Unit
In the Sustainability Office, we promote the development of a holistic understanding of sustainability at the University of Paderborn. This understanding serves as the basis for developing the sustainability strategy in collaboration with the Sustainability Working Group. We also foster communication among the core processes of research, teaching, and transfer, and strengthen dialogue with the university administration.
UPB's path to becoming a sustainable university
Starting shot 2023: Establishment of the Sustainability Office
The Sustainability Office is represented by the Head of Sustainable Infrastructure and the Sustainability Officer.
We start with an analysis phase to develop a "Status Quo: Sustainability at Paderborn University".
This forms the basis for a successful transformation of Paderborn University.
First meeting of the Sustainability WG
Representatives of all status groups at Paderborn University are invited to the sustainability group.
A holistic understanding of sustainability at Paderborn University can only be established within the framework of a joint exchange process at all levels.
Understanding sustainability
The understanding of sustainability defines the starting point for all further developments with regard to sustainability at Paderborn University. We will implement, communicate and uphold it across the board.
Wesentlichkeitsanalyse
Aubauend auf dem Status-Quo analysiert das Nachhaltigkeitsbüro mit internen und externen Statusgruppen der Universität Paderborn die relevantesten Handlungsfelder in Bezug auf Nachhaltigkeit an der Universität Paderborn.
Sustainable operating concepts
We lay the foundations for energy and environmental management systems.
Sustainability strategy
Based on the understanding of sustainability, we are launching the strategy process within the framework of the sustainability group to develop a holistic sustainability strategy for Paderborn University.
