Sustainability Report 2021 Coverphoto: Sandra Meyndt

Sustainability Report 2021

4 „Universities bear a special responsibility for a sustainable society“ Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein, Rektorin der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmitt, Prorektorin für Internatio nalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein and Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit, Vice-President for Internationa- lization and Sustainability, explain in an interview what role the topic of sustainability plays for the University of Freiburg. Prof. Krieglstein, since the beginning of your term as rector in 2020, you have been strengthening the topic of sustainability at the University of Frei- burg; among other things, you have established a new Vice-Presidency for Internationalization and Sustainability. Why is this topic of such high importance to you? Krieglstein: We are facing global challenges: The climate crisis, the depletion of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity threaten current and future generations. Universities bear a special responsibi- lity for transforming society toward sustainable de- velopment. It is our task to provide solid knowledge, to offer solutions and to carry these into politics, business and society as a whole. In particular, we are responsible for empowering our graduates to de- velop solutions for both global and local problems and to work for a sustainable and just society. Our activities in this regard are consolidated in the Vice- Presidency for Internationalization and Sustainability. Prof. Kleinschmit, even before your time as Vice-President, you were intensively involved with the topic of sustainability. Kleinschmit: As a professor of forest and environ- mental policy, I deal with this on a daily basis. In my research on environmental and, in particular, forest ecology topics, I engage with various aspects of sus- tainability in research and in teaching. But networ- king with society and especially with politics is also a concern of mine and I actively participate in it, for example as a member of the Bioeconomy Council of Baden-Württemberg. What was your first step as Vice-President for internationalization and Sustainability? Kleinschmit: Through the Vice-Presindency, the to- pic of sustainability is anchored at the highest level of the university. This opens up the possibility for us in Freiburg to drive sustainability holistically, both in research and in cross-curricular courses and in terms of operational sustainability. It is important to us that we involve all groups at the university in the development of concrete goals and measures. What already achieved milestones in the area of sustainability are particularly important to both of you? Krieglstein: One important milestone is the Sustai- nability Certificate that we introduced in the winter semester of 2021/22. It enables students from all di- sciplines to voluntarily address the sustainability is- sues of the 21st century across disciplines as part of their studies and to develop a sense of social re-

Sustainability Report 2021 6 Governance connecting and shaping Sustainability milestones The University of Freiburg aims to be a sustainable uni- versity, which pursues ambitious objectives for sustaina- bility in all activity areas: in research and teaching, as well as in its day-to-day operations and in relation to knowled- ge transfer, or the dissemination of ideas. Taking an acti- ve and responsible role in the field of sustainability is one of the objectives of the University – and has been since well before the subject gained its current popularity. For instance, there have for decades been a variety of insti- tutions and projects designed to further the continuing development of content, structures and processes at eve- ry level of the University and establish sustainability at the University of Freiburg. Since 2020 sustainability has been a particular ambition of the new Rectorate of the University of Freiburg. Con- sequently, the Vice-Presidency for Internationalization and Sustainability was established in 2021 in order to consolidate this cross-sectional issue throughout the Uni- versity. Since the 2021/22 winter semester, there has also been a new body, the Sustainability Council, which has extensive responsibility for setting strategies and ob- jectives for all areas of activity in relation to sustainability. The University’s concept of sustainability which is set out in this report for the first time was developed by the sus- tainability management team in a participatory process that involved every hierarchical level at the University, with the final version being revised and approved by the Sustainability Council. It not only supplies criteria for sus- tainability reporting, but also provides a basis for respon- sible action by the University as an institution, as well as a common concept for the development of a sustainable university culture. This concept will in turn be continuous- ly developed and refined just like the processes and structures in the spirit of adaptive and forward-looking sustainable development at the University of Freiburg.

8 Timeline milestones 1920 Forestry training at the University of Freiburg 2004 Environmental safety committee 1970 Forest Sciences and Earth Sciences (now Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources) 2005 Smoke-free university from 2005 (effective throughout BW from August 1, 2007) Sustainable University Working Group 2007 Environmental guidelines Center for Renewable Energy (ZEE) 2008 Department of Gender and Diversity (since 2021 Equal opportunities division, Diversity, and academic personnel development) 2010 TOTAL E-QUALITY award: Diversity (2010, 2013, 2017, 2021) Family Service established 2004 Awarded Freiburg Eco Traffic Award (2008, 2010) Promotion of Jobticket travel card use Jobtickets 2009 City of Freiburg environmental award 2011 Participation in City of Freiburg’s ECOfit project 2001 Switch to reusable waste management 2006 Solar-Uni Freiburg project as part of University’s 550th anniversary celebrationsTransparency of environmentally-relevant data campus

10 Sustainability concept The University of Freiburg sees sustainable development as a continuous process of becoming an ecologically viable and socially just society in a liberal and democratic order, which takes account of the needs of present and future generations. As key protagonists in the social discourse, universities have a contribution to make to the urgently-needed social trans- formation: in adopting a responsible approach to our planet and creating an equitable society. For the University of Freiburg, its key task in this is to gene- rate and pass on sound knowledge on environmental issues and social challenges, to offer and model solutions, and thus to provide inspiration for a future-proof society. At the same time, the University of Freiburg actively advocates its funda- mental values of open-minded science and freedom of re- search. As an educational institution, the University of Freiburg is spe- cifically responsible for training its graduates to • contribute to sustainable development on the basis of science, • • • identify and communicate potential solutions to social challenges, focus on sustainability in the interdisciplinary discourse and reflect on the potential clash of objectives between the ecological, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development, and be able to constantly broaden and apply their knowledge. In everyday life at the University of Freiburg, sustainable development also means • securing teaching and research performance through the promotion of innovative capacity, interdisciplinarity and cooperation (economic sustainability); • minimizing the negative environmental impacts of day-to- day operations. The University must itself use the know- ledge it builds to achieve climate neutrality and attempt to make positive contributions (ecological sustainability); • creating a long-term, attractive and participatory environ- ment and an inclusive university culture. An essential ele- ment of sustainability is to support the diversity and crea- tivity of all members of the University and enable them to reveal their full potential. Among other things this means creating a respectful, gender-sensitive, family-friendly higher education atmosphere and offering secure and healthy jobs (social sustainability). The social, economic and ecological aspects of sustainability are indivisible. Therefore the University of Freiburg promotes scientific engagement and responsible critical thinking about all these aspects and in particular their interrelationships. It is a ‘living lab’, realizing findings and approaches in the best way possible, and thus acts as a model for private and public sta- keholders. The University of Freiburg aims to establish sustainable thinking permanently in its structures and decision-making processes. Students and staff must be made aware and encouraged to examine their own actions and themselves contribute to sustainable development on campus and in society. The University is committed to the concept of sustainability of the HOCHN cooperative project, which defines the areas of research, teaching, knowledge transfer, day-to-day operati- ons and governance and in each case sets concrete objecti- ves and measures “For me, the greatest pleasure in compiling this sustainability report was the dialog with staff and students from various institutions. The Discussions about their projects, the challenges they faced , and the ambitious goals they set for the future made me enthusiastic about my work. I think we are on the right path to establishing a sustainability culture at the University and am excited to see what we will achieve together in the next few years” Lora Gyuzeleva, sustainability manager

12 Vice-Presidency for Internationalization and Sustainability Also newly-established on April 1, 2021, the Rectorate was augmented with the part-time Vice-President for Internationalization and Sustainability as a central authority on governance. The vice-president is responsible for international cooperations in research and teaching as well as the sustainability agenda and activities throughout the entire university. “The University of Freiburg has much to offer in the field of sustainability. The Sustainabi- lity Council ensures that the University of Freiburg develops a clear sustainability profi- le from the mosaic of individual elements. This cross-division and cross-hierarchical body sees to it that there is a coherent, com- prehensive view of sustainability and coope- ration at all levels – the faculties, central ad- ministration and students. Together, the strengths of the University are identified and challenges are tackled” Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit, Vice-President for Internationalization and Sustainability, head of the Sustainability Council “The Sustainability Council offers the op- portunity at long last to pursue sustainability as a cross-cutting issue at the University. Co- operation between people with different tasks and perspectives throws up numerous ways to achieve a sustainable university, but this is also time-consuming. This is democratic work – time will show what influence the new body will have on the university manage- ment’s decisions.” Helen Dörr, student, Nachhaltigkeitsbüro, member of the Sustainability Council

14 Sustainability Report 2021 Education teaching and learning

1616 Sustainability-related degree programs Sustainability-related degree programs are defined in this report as those which have both a thematic and a methodical ap- proach that corresponds with the concept of sustainable development. Firstly, they inform about local and global environmen- tal and social challenges and enable students to develop new approaches to these problems and to advocate for the creation of a sustainable, just and inclusive society. This involves the concept of sustainability being seen as an integrated approach, and explicitly addressing and reflecting on it. Secondly, they focus on interdisciplinarity, thereby sparking an individual’s abili- ty to reflect on their position and the role of their discipline. Examples of degree programs with sustainability Degree program Faculty/ Institute B.Sc. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Major: Environmental and Sustainability Sciences) University College Freiburg B.Sc. Nachhaltige Technische Systeme / Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) Faculty of Engineering B.Sc. Geography B.Sc. Earth Sciences Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources B.Sc. Environmental Sciences Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources B.Sc. Forestry and Environment Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources M.Sc. Global Urban Health Centre for Medicine and Society (ZMG) M.Sc. Environmental Governance Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources M.Sc. Geographie des Globalen Wandels Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources M.Sc. Environmental Studies Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources M.Sc. Forestry M.Sc. Geology M.Sc. Hydrology Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources M.Sc. Renewable Energy Management Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources M.Sc. Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) Faculty of Engineering M.Sc. Online Solar Energy Engineering Faculty of Engineering M.Sc. Sustainable Materials – Functional Materials Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy M.Sc. Sustainable Materials – Polymer Sciences Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy M.A. Gender Studies Center for Anthropology and Gender Studies

1818 Sustainability certificate The sustainability certificate is a voluntary certificate pro- gram which was introduced at the University of Freiburg in the 2021/22 winter semester. It aims to enable students from all disciplines to take an interdisciplinary approach to 21st Century issues of sustainability in the framework of their studies and to develop a sense of social responsibility. Drawing on the concept of sustainability as a cross-sectio- nal issue, it bundles and expands the range of courses wit- hin the field of sustainability and thus complements the Uni- versity’s efforts to deliver sustainability. The sustainability certificate is divided into three areas – fundamental principles, specialization/electives and a prac- tical unit, in which students can acquire a total of 14 ECTS points. The fundamental principles module consists of a se- ries of public lectures on sustainability which introduce aspects of sustainability from a variety of specialist per- spectives, and a course on fundamental principles where students take an active role and tackle the challenges of sustainable development drawing on case studies. In the electives section, students can choose from an interdiscipli- nary range of existing and new courses and increase their understanding of sustainability, as well as consider and di- scuss it critically. The certificate is rounded off with a prac- tical unit in which students can realize projects independ- ently or join in civil society activities. The project workshop formats, where participants are guided by tutors through the conception and realization of their own projects, and the existing service learning opportunities provided by the Cen- ter for Key Qualifications (ZfS) should enable students to apply their knowledge practically and share ideas with civil society stakeholders. Interview with the student initiative Sustainability Office at the University of Freiburg: History of the Sustainability Certificate Let’s start at the beginning: What led you to establish the Sustainability Office student initiative? And what does it have to do with the sustainability certificate? The foundation of the Nachhaltigkeitsbüro, the sustainabi- lity office, in May 2018 goes back to the idea of the Stu- dium Oecologicum, which is now called the sustainability certificate in Freiburg. At a meeting of various initiatives the idea arose of introducing this sort of certificate at Frei- burg University. A group of student volunteers came toge- ther and took up this vision, and developed it through a student sustainability office. The aim is to embed students’ commitment to sustainability at the University and raise the profile of students’ points of view. The three key areas of our vision were: networking sustainability stakeholders, advancing the sustainability strategy and environmental reporting at the uni, and regards teaching, combining and expanding events on the subject of sustainability. This made the sustainability certificate part of our work from the beginning. How did you address this vision? What part did the sustainability certificate play? First of all, we had to highlight the need for courses in re- lation to sustainability and draw attention to our initiative. So, in the 2019 summer semester we started regular lec- ture series that cast light on the area of sustainability from interdisciplinary perspectives and had a different focus each semester. Our first series of lectures looked at the blind spots in the debates about sustainability in various disciplines. The next winter semester we continued with a series discussing (in-)equity. The 2020 and 2020/21 lecture series which were organized in cooperation with AK Plurale Ökonomik Freiburg took place online because of the pandemic. These focused on the themes of transformation, and sustainability & business. And the lectures were well received...? Yes, we were able to fill the lecture halls from the first se- mester and were delighted to see that the topics had a good reception and were keenly discussed. Following this, and as the first step towards the sustainability certificate, in the second semester we entered into a cooperation with ZfS to enable crediting towards studies for 50 participants. And in the semesters during coronavirus we were still able to reach a wide audience from the student body and the public despite the difficult circumstances. After much work, the sustainability certificate was launched at Freiburg University in the 2021/22 winter semester. What was the process for successfully ma- king the certificate part of the institution? The success of the lecture series had shown clearly that there was interest and a need for sustainability-related events in the University’s range of courses. This encouraged us in parallel to this public work to campaign in the background for the im- plementation of a sustainability certificate. We developed con- cepts, applied for funding, and from the start sought contact with the Rectorate and the Department for Environmental Pro- tection and other stakeholders at the University. In May 2020 we got the consent of the University to introduce and finance the certificate program, once the combined student body had declared itself willing to fund the initial project phase.

20 20 Center for Key Qualifications (ZfS) The Center for Key Qualifications offers all students an interfaculty, interdisciplinary and demand-oriented range of courses which are strongly practical and have a wide variety of topics and areas of application. Alongside the compul- sory modules for undergraduate degree programs in the field of work-related skills and supporting student teachers through their orientation internship, ZfS is responsible for the Service Learning knowledge transfer module, where stu- dents are guided through civic engagement and can obtain credits for it. With 360 courses annually in relation to profession al skills for an average 9,400 Bachelor’s students, ZfS is one of the six largest teaching units. Its range of practical courses draws on more than 200 teaching staff from business, academia, schools and society, and is overseen by a quality committee. For the 2020 summer semester the teaching program was realized almost exclusively online because of the pandemic. The courses offered by the Virtuelle Akademie Nachhaltig- keit had to be removed from the program temporarily, because funding from the BMBF had run out. It is planned that they will resume from the 2022 summer semester. “I personally am delighted that there will soon be a close link between Service Learning, the commitment to civil society which draws on ref- lection and learning, and the new sustainability certificate. I believe these are components for shaping the future.” Verena Saller, head of the Center for Key Qualifications A few of the sustainability-related courses in the reporting period: A c t i n g r e s p o n s i b l y - w h a t d o e s t h a t m e a n? E t h i c a l i s s u e s i n ev e r yd a y l i f e a n d w o r k Responsibility in civil society: focus on technology assessment, environmental ethics, sustainability E c o n o m y a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t o m o r r o w - s u s t a i n a b l e e c o n o m i c a n d l i f e s t y l e s i n v i e w o f t h e c l i m a t e c r i s i s Professional field of sustainability - design competence for sustainable development using the example of tourism, sports and nature conservation Diversity competence for a diverse working world Service Learning workshops: • Climate change - consequences and risks • Consumption styles and their consequences • Ways to a sustainable chemistry M a n a g e m e n t o f G e r m a n n o n p r o fi t o r g a n i z a t i o n s - fi e l d s o f a c t i v i t y, f u n c t i o n a n d w o r k Moderation of conflicts in urban, regional and environmental planning Vir tual Academy Sustainability (in cooperation with the University of Bremen)

22 “My motivation or goal for the future after the course ‘Sustainable Pharmacy’: therapy must serve the well-being of patients, and this is a core issue in pharmacology. Longer-term, ecological and economic aspects will also be influential. This issue, which I believe is still unanswered, motivated me to look at the subject once more from an ethical perspective.” Pharmaceutics student 2 Zitate 1 anonym, 2 sprechblasen mit Kopf abstrakt “Linking the theme in teaching and research across subjects and disciplines is in my opi- nion the crucial stimulus which we can give – and should embody, particularly at a com- prehensive university like Freiburg.” Prof. Dr. Michael Müller

24 Digital formats simplify inter-university teaching The European university alliance EPICUR is not only visi- ble in research but is also committed to an innovative and socially-relevant digital range of courses in its teaching. One of the objectives of EPICUR in the pilot phase is to teach students the necessary skills to meet relevant 21st century challenges through collaborative teaching and learning formats. Besides knowledge about sustainability issues, courses therefore focus on competencies such as teamwork, communication skills, cooperation and collabo- ration, self-reliance, the ability to reflect and to change perspective. University College Freiburg coordinates issues of ecologi- cal and social sustainability in teaching for EPICUR. Since the start of the project in November 2019, 22 digital courses have been offered via EPICUR in the field of sus- tainability for all nine universities in the alliance; in some cases cooperation by various teachers and team teaching formats led to entirely new lectures and seminars. Univer- sity College Freiburg for example offers the ‘Sustainable Cities’ course (Dr. Sabine Sané), which draws on an inter- national exchange between students to go on ‘virtual ex- cursions’ and to discuss what makes up a sustainable city. A cooperation with teachers from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna and the University of Amsterdam led to the ‘Mediated Modelling for Sustaina- bility’ seminar (Stefanie Klose, Andreas Zitek, Dr. Bert Bredeweg). This transnational teaching project examined the complexity of real sustainability problems from diffe- rent international perspectives and disciplines with the aim of designing qualitative causal models of systems in rela- tion to sustainability issues. Students selected their the- mes for themselves, develop models in digital group work and were provided with distance learning support by the supervisors. Besides skills in system thinking, other key aspects of the course included an interdisciplinary ap- proach, teamwork and the differing approaches of the stu- dents, with the aim of strengthening critical thinking, as well as their ability to explain their scientific point of view and to deal with criticism. Alongside EPICUR, the Eucor – The European Campus university grouping plays an increasing part in the coope- ration, expansion and diversification of courses on offer, especially those focusing on sustainability. From 2022, tea- ching towards the current sustainability certificates at the universities in Basel, Freiburg and Karlsruhe will be mutu- ally opened up to students. In addition, Eucor plans to in- troduce its own sustainability certificate in the long term, which will offer courses that go beyond the current certifi- cates. The activities of the two European partnerships Eu- cor and EPICUR in the fields of research and knowledge transfer are described in the section on research. “The great thing about EPICUR is seeing how new creative ideas can arise where there is opportunity, and how much commitment to sustainability-related issues there is both among teachers and students.” Stefanie Klose, manager and teacher for the EPICUR degree program Natural and Societal Sustainability Studies Course participants ‘Mediated Modelling for Sustainability’

Sustainability Report 2021 26 Research researching and discovering

28 Living, Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) Fig. 1: Interplay of the closely interconnected Research Areas in livMatS (A – Energy Autonomy, B – Adaptivity, C – Longevity, D – Sustaina- bility and Societal Implications). © livMatS / Daniel Hellweg. The vision of the Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) is to com- bine the best of two worlds – nature and technology. livMatS develops life-like materials systems inspired by nature. The systems will adapt autonomously to their environment, harvest clean energy from it, and be insensitive to damage or recover from it. The purely technical, but behaviorally quasi-living materials systems that are being developed in livMatS meet people‘s demands for future-oriented environmental and energy technologies. Research into the acceptance and social relevance of these autonomous systems and their sustainability are thus important components of development. Energy autonomy, adaptivity, longevity, and sustainability are the core properties of the materials systems to be developed in livMatS. These challenging topics are investigated and combined with each other in four research areas. Research area A – Energy Autonomy studies novel methods of energy harvesting and/or energy storage within a single highly integrated system, i.e. aims for the development of materials systems with embedded energy and energy management. Research area B – Adaptivity develops new concepts for (self-)adaptive materials systems with complex energy landscapes that recognize and can react to sensory input from their environment. Research area C – Longevity develops strategies that focus on the longevity and “self-control” of complex materials systems, drawing inspiration from living nature, particularly plant life, i.e. aims for the development of materials systems with embedded intelligence. Research area D – Sustainability considers the societal dimension of autonomous, quasi-living materials systems and their sustainability. A societal discourse on disruptive technologies, such as autonomous driving or expert systems, is often conducted only after the development and introduction of these technologies.

30 Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) Research and teaching into the three key areas of Sustainable materials, Energy systems and Resilience have taken place at the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering INATECH since 2015. The institute represents an equal partnership between the University of Freiburg and the five Freiburg-based Fraunhofer institutes. This basis makes INATECH unique as a structure for teaching and research within Germany, as it covers the entire spectrum from basic research through to industrial applications. InNOSys project – How can we make the energy supply more sustainable? Are energy systems more sustainable the greater their share of renewable energy systems? Or does a high proportion of green energy require so many technical systems and therefore also so many valuable raw materials in order to cover any level of demand for energy at any time that this is also incompatible with sustainability? How do the various conceivable scenarios for energy supply differ in relation to other criteria for sustainability than greenhouse gas emissions? Questions like these are examined in the InNOSys project. A sustainability comparison of ten different energy scenarios for Germany, including five with moderate climate protection objectives (80% greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990) and five with ambitious objectives (95-100% reduction) showed that every scenario performed better than the current system in most criteria for sustainability. Ambitious scenarios however could not be described as more sustainable than the 80% scenari- os. Every scenario performed worse on the aspect of use of resources and land. This makes it even more important to consider energy technology-related materials cycles more intensively in future, and therefore to combine different INATECH topics more intensively. The effects of the scenarios on economic benchmarks such as gross domestic product (GDP) and the creation of jobs was similar for every scenario. Studying popular preferences, by contrast, showed that aspects such as equity and distribution effects play an important part in the assessment of energy scenarios, and taking them into account could totally change the comparison and rating of the scenarios. Other aspects of sustainable energy systems are studied in current projects, e.g. the electrification of energy consumption in industry (IND-E project together with the Fraunhofer ISE and other partners). This is important because renewable energy is mainly usable in the form of electricity. This pro- motes one aspect of the objective to combine industrial production more with sustainability. “My focus is on sustainable energy systems, a sub- ject that has fascinated me most since my student days. I find energy systems particularly exciting be- cause they are essential to every society and are clo- sely linked with their industrial and economic de- velopment, and because at present they cannot be described as sustainable, and we need to change this.“ Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich, Chair for Control and Integration of Grids, INATECH Planting of the first experimental trees on 05.11.2013 by the rector of the university at that time, Prof. Dr. Dr. Hans-Jochen Schiewer.

32 Conservation of Forest Biodiversity in Multiple-Use Landscapes of Central Europe (ConFoBi) The Conservation of Forest Biodiversity in Multiple-Use Landscapes of Central Europe (ConFoBi) Research Training Group, which is being funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the period 2016-2025, combines ecological studies on biodiversity with social sciences and economic studies on the protection of biodiversity. While junior ecologists undertake a model system study based on the Black Forest, which has the structural diversity neces- sary for the survival of a wide variety of groups of organisms, from fungi through insects to bats, junior researchers from social sciences and economics examine the conditions for forestry operators to allow such structural diversity. ConFo- Bi studies how effective structure-retentive measures such as enrichment with habitat trees and dead wood are for maintaining biodiversity in commercially-managed forests, and how protecting biodiversity can be effectively integrated into other forest functions, e.g. timber production and recreational use. The graduate school works closely with the Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Württemberg and ForstBW. Key areas of its research program include: • Generating know-how for the assessment of structure for scales from microhabitats to landscapes; • Researching interconnections of structures and biodiversity along forest structure and connectivity gradients; • • Researching at the interface between science and society into the integration of support for biodiversity into Assessing social aspects of forest biodiversity using economic and social science approaches, and forest management. The first doctoral students focused on patterns of biodiversity in relation to forest and landscape structure, and on the knowledge underlying the protection of biodiversity. Drawing on this, their successors worked on ecological functions and processes to explain these patterns of biodiversity as well as the protective measures that had been applied and their effects. The ConFoBi research process culminates in an interdisciplinary scientific and practical synthesis of the findings that identifies biodiversity protection objectives based on numerous groups of organisms, and options for their integration into forest management. “More effective biodiversity protec- tion calls for a broad spectrum of views. So I value the cooperation with people from diverse disciplines and geographic backgrounds at ConFoBi. Our principle ‘All measurements on all test areas’ not only provides Con- FoBi with a unique dataset, but also guarantees an ongoing exchange bet- ween disciplines, projects and the scientists who are involved. This leads to networked thinking.” Prof. Dr. Ilse Storch, Coordinator of the Research Training Group

34 Gendering MINT Digital As part of the BMBF cooperative project Gendering MINT di- gital. Open Science aktiv gestalten from 2018-2020, natural science and technologically-oriented findings from gender re- search in MINT were presented with a practical application, and prepared for open science modules with didactic con- cepts as well as participatory and collaborative electronic tools (e-tools). The modules provide an innovative basis for discussion and stimulus for reflection in research, teaching and gender equality work within the field of MINT and at its interdisciplinary interfaces. There are three subprojects focused on different key areas: using interactive web documentation, Subproject I of the Uni- versity of Freiburg in cooperation with Subproject III of the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg have gauged the extent to which artistic and medial methods encourage a (self-)reflective exchange to promote dialog between gender research and MINT. The web documentation developed ta- ckles forestry and environmental science themes, among ot- her things. In parallel with this, Subproject II at the Humboldt University Berlin created the Gendering MINT Digital portal, which uses digitalized teaching units to enable easy access to the terms and principles of gender research. The aim is also to expand on subject specific themes, raise awareness of gender re- search issues in MINT, motivate and encourage reflection. Dr. Marion Mangelsdorf, Gender Studies coordination office management, Center for Anthropology and Gender Studies (ZAG), University of Freiburg

36 European associations in the field of sustainability The University of Freiburg participates actively in European associations and also cooperates in the field of sustainability with other member universities in research, teaching and knowledge transfer. In the trinational association Eucor – The European Campus, the University of Freiburg is leading the focus area of sustaibability (has the ‘pilotage’). In the European higher education alliance EPICUR, junior researchers from all nine partner universities are supported with networking and research initiatives towards three EPIChallenges, which include sustainability. The teaching activities of both European part- nerships, Eucor and EPICUR, can be found in the section on teaching. Eucor’s Focus Area: Sustainability Eucor is a trinational association between the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Haute-Alsace, Strasbourg and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Drawing on shared strengths and pooling expertise is the goal of the four focus areas of Eucor – The European Campus. Its broad agenda in sustainability, in which the University of Freiburg has pilotage, aims to develop interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary cooperation between Eucor universities on issues of sustainable development. There are already numerous research cooperation projects, some making up the Upper Rhine Cluster for Sustaina- bility Research (URCforSR). These look for instance at regional energy supplies (RES-TMO), sustainable mobility (SuMo-Rhine) or biocidal depositions in ground water (NAVEBGO). Until early 2022 there was a feasibility study into the ongoing development of the area around the former nuclear power plant at Fessenheim. This involved the URC- forSR developing concrete options for investment in the areas of expertise green batteries and battery recycling, intelligent electricity grids and green hydrogen. Further cooperations and courses in relation to this focus area are planned, e.g. two summer schools for doctoral students in 2023 and 2024. Other options include a Science Slam on the theme, and forming a sustainability forum to act as a committee or work group that unites Eucor university members and could help to shape the approach to sustainability. Knowledge transfer activities involved the focus area being introduced to the public at the Freiburg Science Market 2021. In the future it is planned to expand the cooperation between Eucor partner universities and ‘their’ cities in the field of sustainability. In addition, in 2023 there will be city tours across the Eucor area to spread information. “Working for the focal theme of sustaina- bility in the trinational university associa- tion Eucor is extremely interesting: sup- porting the Upper Rhine cooperation in this fundamental future-oriented subject is the driving force behind my work as an Eucor consultant at the University of Frei- burg. There are so many motivated people in the field of sustainability in the Eucor region. We can learn a lot from each other and create added value in research, tea- ching and knowledge transfer through in- novative formats.” Sofia Ganter, Eucor consultant

Sustainability Report 2021 38 Transfer inventing and exchanging

40 Each lecture series and set of courses that make up Studium Generale and Colloquium Politicum is on a different theme each semester. Switching to a completely digital offering on account of the pandemic in the 2020 winter semester and in the two subsequent semesters did not affect the variety of topics or audience numbers. Naturally, not all formats are suited to the digital space, and as a result discursive formats in particular represented a smaller part of the program during this period. Questions about sustainability and the future are a regular part of the program. Examples include lectures on individual responsibility in the climate crisis (Jun.Prof. Dr. Stefan Pauliuk, 2019/20 winter semester) and on conflicts in the use of natural resources (Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit, 2021/21 winter semester), on an Unconditional Basic Income (Prof. Bernhard Neumärker, 2020/21 winter semester), on an ‘Externalization Society’ (Prof. Dr. Stephan Lessenich, 2017/18 winter semester) and on a new Enlightenment for balance and sustainable development (Ernst-Ulrich Weizsäcker, Club of Rome, 2017 summer semester). Aspects of sustainability are a systematic theme, e.g. as part of the ongoing lecture series Konturen der nächsten Gesellschaft (since 2018 summer semester), which has already looked at topics ranging from Smart Cities and digitalization through migration, decolonialization and feminism to inequalities and sustainability, as well as in a series of talks on Agenda 2030 (2017/18 winter semester) or in a recent Saturday Uni series on climate change (2021 summer semester, in cooperation with the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources). Since 2018 the City of Freiburg and the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources have jointly organized the Envi- ronemtal talks in Freiburg’s Jazzhaus. The aim of this lecture series is to make the latest information on protecting the environment and the climate directly accessible and easily comprehensible to the public, and to encourage discussions on the subject. INATECH at the Faculty of Engineering also began another public lecture series in 2018 – the Sustaina- bility Talks, which take place in English every year. Prominent experts from other universities, institutions and industry are invited to talk on sustainability-related topics.

42 The Federal Government: National politicians also receive eminent advice from members of the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources on the scientific advisory committee for forest policy, the Wissenschaftlicher Beirat für Waldpolitik: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bauhus (Chair of Siviculture) chairs the committee and along with Prof. Dr. Friederike Lang (Professur für Bodenökologie) offers scientific perspectives on sustainable, multifunctional forest management at both national and international levels and develops proposals and reports on the realization of the federal government’s Forest Strategy 2020. In the forward-looking field of technological sustainability, Prof. Dr. Hannah Bast (Chair of Algorithms and Data Structu- res) was since 2018 an expert on the federal government’s select committee on artificial intelligence looking at social responsibility and economic, social and ecological potential in the period 2017-2021. As a decisive voice in the field of economic policy and sustainable public finance that considers the burden on future generations, Prof. Dr. Lars P. Feld (Chair of Economic Policy and Constitutional Economics) was from 2011 to 2021 a member of the German Council of Economic Experts, known as the economic sages. He now provides advice on other bodies such as the minimum wage commission. International: Scientists from the University of Freiburg are also engaged in international bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which issues scientific information on the status and development of biological diversity and and its ecosystem services to political decision-makers. For in- stance, Prof. Dr. Alexandra-Maria Klein (Chair of Conservation and Landscape Ecology) was a lead author on the IPBES pollinators report. “I believe it is important that some scientists explain their field of re- search and latest findings to politi- cians and the wider society in a fac- tual and neutral way. So I have always been committed to science communication and advising politi- cians. Producing advisory papers like the one for IPBES takes a lot of time. In order not to neglect my tea- ching and research it means hard work at weekends, in the evening and occasionally at night.” Prof. Dr. Alexandra-Maria Klein, head of the Chair of Conservation and Landscape Ecology

44 Projects to strengthen technological knowledge transfer Since the start of 2019 the University of Freiburg has been a partner in the Interreg-funded project KTUR (Knowledge Transfer Upper Rhine), which promotes the development of a cross-border network that unites all stakeholders who are involved in know- ledge transfer – from research and academia through intermediaries (e.g. business development) up to start-ups and companies. The University of Freiburg oversees the Gründen am Oberrhein work group and concentrates on several subprojects offering support for start-ups. These include the development of a regional platform for the exchange of ideas, networking projects (e.g. between SMEs and start-ups or with the relevant student university groups) and linkups with professional development options. The Start-up|Energy platform which was jointly initiated by the University of Freiburg and the Solarenergie 2020 foundation is intended to promote the exchange between start-ups working in the field of decentralized and renewable energy supplies in Germany and East Africa. Focusing on the University’s strategic area of the environment and sustainability, this will strengthen Freiburg as a region that pioneers the expansion of decentralized energy sources regionally and nationally. WEtell: Using university expertise for sustainable start-up companies The sustainable mobile communications start-up WEtell is a success story in knowledge transfer: Founded in 2019 by graduates from the University of Freiburg and others, the company claims to be the first mobile communi- cation provider in Germany that is climate neutral throughout the entire value chain (according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Standard in Scope I-III). This has been made possible by the construction of 570kWp photovoltaic systems and investments in vegetable carbon, among other things. In addition, the digital service, mobile communications at standard market rates, are ri- gorously provided in accordance with eco-social aspects, i.e. public good-oriented standards are followed, including in the fields of data protection, fairness and transparency. “With the experience gained from solar cell research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and the support of the University of Frei- burg’s start-up office for the Exist start-up grant we turned an idea into a successful new company in Freiburg. Our team is driven by a very idealistic motivation and we want to dedicate our energy to solving the climate crisis.” Alma Spribille (founder of WEtell)

46 Prof. Dr. Rolf Mülhaupt, Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF) in cooperation with Dr. Raimund Jäger, Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM), Dr. Erik Licht, LyondellBasell and Lukas Pawelczyk, ARBURG GmbH + Co KG. Photo of Prof. Dr. Rolf Mülhaupt with colleagues Dr. Timo Hees and Dr. Carl G. Schirmeister “Self-reinforcing and 3D-printing of mechanically-recyclable hydrocarbon materials open up entirely new possi- bilities for sustainable lightweight construction.” Prof. Dr. Rolf Mülhaupt

48 Sustainability Report 2021 Social Responsibility fostering and engaging

50 Gender & diversity The University of Freiburg regards the inspirational diversity of people and subjects as a strength. It works to implement gender and diversity themes in all its areas of activity and processes in a cross-cutting way, based on an understanding of equal oppor- tunities which as well as taking into account sex-based equal opportunities also considers other aspects of inequality, in parti- cular those named in the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (General Equal Treatment Act, AGG): age, (ethnic and social) origin, religion and ideology, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, and allows for the complex intersectional interre- lationships of these aspects. Gender equality and diversity work operates in a field of tension between the statutory remit to ensure equal opportunities for women and men and an integrated approach to diversity that aims to create equal opportunities by raising awareness and cultural change. In 2010 the university management signed the Diversity Charter thereby committing to ensuring a greater awareness of diversity and the creation of a work environment free of prejudice and discrimination. Equal Opportunities The University of Freiburg’s Equal Opportunities Officer uides and advises staff in the areas of administration, service and tech- nology and deals with questions of gender equality and ensuring a work-life balance. In accordance with the law on gender equality, she is elected by the group she represents, i.e. all women who work in academic management or an academic support area, and as a legally and democratically elected representative is free to act according to her own judgment. Her duties include assistance at job interviews for posts predominantly occupied by men/women and advising the university ma- nagement on implementation of professional equality, but also, working with the Family Service, the organization of the Girls’ and Boys’ Days, which once a year allow school children to learn about male/female-dominated professions, and the Bring your children to work day for staff (MiKi Tag) where children learn about their parents’ jobs. The aim is to go beyond simply making discrimination against women at work visible and taking suitable measures to tackle it; instead, the issue of gender together with the potential effects on women and/or men, as well as on parents, should be proactively taken into account in all decisions at the University. Although direct discrimination against women and parents is already legally barred and therefore very rare, aspects of indirect discrimination and unconscious bias continue to exist. For instance, women and parents are more likely to work part-time or to fulfil family duties. On top of there is the issue of multiple disadvantage, such as with women with a migration background, but also where there is a lack of female role models in technical careers with good earning potential and correspondingly few fema- le applicants for these jobs. Successes that she has achieved include the promotion of women to managerial positions in the areas of administration, service and technology, which can be seen from the fact that absolute figures on management are converging. “Enabling career development, regardless of personal characteristics, is important to me. To do this, the basic conditions need to change, so that people can combine their individual lifestyles with professional success. Then equal opportunities will have been achieved.” Katharina Klaas, Equal Opportunities Representative, member of Sustainable University Working Group

52 100% 50% Proportion of women by faculty and career level 0% Catholic Theology Law Econo mics/ Behavioural Science M edicine Pholology Students Postdoctoral employees Biology Che mistry/ Pharm acy Environ m ent and Natural Resources Co m puter Science/ Microsyste m s Engineering Philosophy M athe m atics/Physics Ph.D. students Professors “For an integrated and comprehensive ap- proach in academia, it is important that the female perspective penetrates every field in a lasting manner and that women signi- ficantly help to shape the academic and re- search landscape as the heads of research groups and in managerial positions.“ Dr. Regina Herzog, Gender Equality Representative Office of Gender and Diversity The Office of Gender and Diversity (since 2021 part of the new Department of equality, diversity and academic staff development, GDaPE) is the strategic body overseeing issues of gender equality and diversity. Its core task is advising the university manage- ment on various decision-making, planning, implementation and assessment procedures in relation to gender equality and di- versity. It also advises university institutes on the practical realization of gender equality and diversity as well as on planning gender equality measures, such as in third-party funded projects. The office (and GDaPE) develops tools and materials for measures to raise awareness about gender and diversity at the University. It is working on establishing a gender and diversity database and incorporates the office of the Permanent Senate Commission on Equal Opportunity. As a result, and unlike the elected positions of the equal opportunities and gender equality representatives, its remit goes beyond the aspects of gender equality and family-friendliness. Some measures designed to achieve the above objectives by changing the structure and culture at the University that are being realized by the Office of Gender and Diversity or GDaPE are described below.

54 Advice options for staff and students There are numerous offices at the University of Freiburg which offer services and advice for staff and students, e.g. con- cerning discrimination, legal questions about employment, or information on studying with disabilities or chronic disease. The Vice-President for University Culture, Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek, and the head of the HR department, Ursula Seel- horst, also serve as contacts in the event of discrimination or as an office for equal opportunities-related complaints for students and staff. The Student Service Center is the first point of contact where prospective and current students as well as guest students can obtain information and advice about studying. Development of student numbers (headcount, FTE) 25.000 20.000 15.000 10.000 5.000 0 WS 2017/18 WS 2018/19 WS 2019/20 WS 2020/21 WS 2021/22 Female students Male students Unknown/diverse students Female students in % Foreign students Foreign students in % New students New students in % Total students Total students FTE 13.161 11.731 0 52,9% 4.400 17,7% 5.441 21,9% 24.892 25.709,2 13.054 11.552 6 53,0% 4.474 18,2% 5.311 21,6% 24.612 25.424,5 12.908 11.482 6 52,9% 4.385 18,0% 5.314 21,8% 24.391 25.454,3 12.675 11.260 7 52,9% 4.056 16,9% 5.066 21,2% 23.938 25.775,0 12.941 11.275 24 53,4% 4.349 17,9% 5.168 21,3% 24.240 25.714,3 * First-time enrollees and newly enrolled students are summarized as new students. First-time enrollees are students who have enrolled at a university for the first time. New enrollees are students who have enrolled at the University of Freiburg as university transfer students or re- enrollees.Source: Student statistics, SuperX, as of 15.11. of a year from WS 2021/22 01.12. of the year. Freiburg Gender Circle The Freiburg Gender Circle, a union of all the institutions at the University of Freiburg that pri- marily deal with issues of gender and equal op- portunities, has existed since 2015. The group meets once or twice a semester to discuss in- formation and experiences and confer on stra- tegic matters. Members of the Gender Circle – currently the Vice-President for University Culture, the department of equality, diversity and academic staff development, the gender equality representative and their speakers, the equal opportunities officer, the Gender Equality Office at the Faculty of Medicine and Gender Studies in the Center for Anthropology and Gender Studies – work together for a gender- sensitive and non-discriminatory university.

56 Family Service at the University of Freiburg The Family Service creates reliable structures designed to combine family and work for staff and doctoral students. The University runs four kindergartens providing child care. These are organized to meet the demands of members of the Uni- versity, for example offering longer and more flexible opening hours than other kindergartens. One special feature is the quota of places reserved for staff from research associations and centers of excellence and which support gender equa- lity and development of new talent in this area. A family-friendly infrastructure with nursing and changing spaces, parents’ rooms and separate children’s areas make it easier for parents to spend time on campus. The University also offers a varied holiday program for children and every two years arranges a ‘bring your children to work’ day for staff (MiKi Tag). To meet changing demand and prepare child care to be future-proof, the Family Service has set itself the objective of in- troducing support for emergencies and a flexible care service; this offer is already secured for 2021 to 2023. Sustainability in the university child care centers The university child care centers have explicitly engaged with the issue of sustainability, both operationally and educa- tionally, since 2020. Staff pay attention to the sustainable use of energy in their work. Where possible, the university child care centers use environmentally-friendly materials, for instance many of the toys are made of wood. We avoid items that are made of plastic or that are disposable. Lunch consists of exclusively organic regional food, and the appropriate amount is ordered for the number of children in order to avoid food waste. Specialists from the Department of Environ- mental Protection inspected Kita Murmelgarten’s premises in 2020 so as to assess the sustainability of their use and suggest improvements. The plan is to fit translucent sun-screen film on the windows to prevent the rooms from overhea- ting in summer and thereby create a healthy indoor climate. In addition, the children learn about acting responsibly towards one another and towards society, and gain skills enabling respectful treatment of the environment. In order to show the children how to use resources carefully, their water con- sumption, for example, is monitored. We also teach them to reuse waste paper for scribbling or for the hole punch – the- se are just a couple of examples from day-to-day activities at the child care centers. Outdoors, the kindergarten Zauber- garten children together with the teaching staff have created a nesting box for birds such as tits from a kit and painted it in bright colors. In parallel they were taught about birds. The nesting box was hung out in the garden in autumn 2021. Activities like this arouse the children’s interest in protecting nature from an early age. Furthermore, some university child care center staff attended a course in education on the subject of sustainable develop- ment in 2021 and then each center appointed a team member as a sustainability officer. The aim of this was to realize further measures in the day-to-day activities at the child care centers and offer the children education about sustainable development. In order to bring the plant and animal kingdom even closer to the children in a more diverse way, some employees of the university daycare centers are planning to take part in the advanced training course “Gardening prac- tice with children”. Inclusion

58 Interview with Jasmin Anders, representative for staff with severe disabilities 1. What are your tasks as a representative for staff with severe disabilities? The representative for staff with severe disabilities is elected by the staff concerned to promote the integration of staff with seve- re disabilities (and those with equivalent status) at work, and to represent their interests at work. The office for staff with severe disabilities (SBV) in particular provides advisory and support services for individuals with severe disabilities and offers informa- tion about opportunities relating to severe disability. 2. Who are the contact persons for severely disabled employees at the university? What issues can people obtain advice on? Both the office for staff with severe disabilities and the staff council offer points of contact for colleagues with severe disabilities. But the external advisory service and the medical service also offer advice. Colleagues who are affected are helped with ever- ything to do with disability support. This applies to workplace design and problems at work as well as to issues such as partial early retirement, rehabilitation, early retirement and reduced-earning-capacity pension. The SBV and the staff council also sup- port staff with disabilities in conflict situations. 3. What are the major successes and milestones of the past few years for you? I’m particularly pleased about having established reasonable efforts to ensure employees can continue working. The aim is to ensure that long-standing staff who – because of disease or disability – are no longer able to carry out their former duties, are able to continue working for as long as possible, by undertaking the tasks that they can still manage. 4. During the corona pandemic people with disabilities were prioritized for vaccination by the University. In the process, many people reported a disability who had never previously reported before.Could this mean that people still fear that this could have a negative effect on their career? What can the University do here? It’s extremely important that the University management signals very clearly that having a severe disability does not have nega- tive consequences for a career. This is especially relevant in relation to academia and the associated fixed-term contracts. We must understand that disability only exists if someone is made disabled, and that the key to this is meeting on an equal footing and with respect. The shame of being “severely disabled” must disappear from our minds.Offering the same possibilities shouldn’t mean anything other than that everyone is allowed to need something different. In order to better recognize these needs and respond to them, a severe disabilities file will be established from 2023. This will only be available to the representative for staff with severe disabilities and is designed to assist with day-to-day work and map out key areas in the SBV’s work. 5. What other projects are there to empower people with severe disabilities at the University of Freiburg and increase their visibility? The first inclusion day at the University of Freiburg was organized in February 2020. As a result, the inclusion and accessibility activist Raul Krauthausen came to the University of Freiburg. As a wheel- chair user he knows how important an accessible and inclusive society is. His lecture Nothing about us - without us, in which he discussed issues relating to inclusion, was very well recei- ved. The subsequent panel debate with Head of Administrati- on Dr. Matthias Schenek, Raul Krauthausen, Ramon Kathrein (City of Freiburg councilor) and Zeno Springklee from Studying without hurdles (SoH) was another highlight of the day. Becau- se of the importance of this issue, the SBV wants to hold an inclusion day every other year. “I’d like to live in a world in which to be different is normal.“ Jasmin Anders, Representative for staff with severe disabilities

60 Promotion of health and disease prevention In order to provide its staff with the best possible support for healthy living, the University of Freiburg funds a variety of pro- grams. Mental health is promoted by advisory offices and measures to prevent and deal with the symptoms of physical and mental disorders. The external advisory service is there to help in crises, conflicts, addiction problems, as are the prevention programs offered by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRB, German pension insurance union). Despite the pandemic, use was made of the services in 2020. Physical health is the focus of many services too, whether internal e.g. UNIFIT at the University Medical Center, or through the funding of membership with external providers. Freiburg’s university sports center’s activities are open to students and staff at the University. PausenExpress, which is provided by the University’s health management in cooperation with the Ins- titute of Sports Science and Physical Education, promotes health through movement at work. During the pandemic this took place digitally. A similar activity, Aktive Pause, was offered to students by the student health management team along with a variety of other information and activities while teaching continued online during the pandemic. . Internal professional development There were numerous internal training opportunities enabling both non-academic staff at the University and aca- demics to develop professionally in a range of fields. As well as internal know-how/administrative practice, com- munication & management or technology, laboratory and occupational health and safety, seminars and workshops on management development, media & IT, language skills and health are conceived, organized and coordinated. In addition, an independent study area was set up with online services, including language skills, data processing skills and communication. This enables staff at the University to improve their qualifications in specific areas. The- re are also two certificates to build competence, e.g. for international exchange with the Intercultural Competence certificate. Furthermore, the IWB team supports leadership circles and coordinates coaching services for central university administration management and training in managerial skills for professors. The program included 123 courses in 2019, which were attended by over 1,500 members of staff. On account of the pandemic, many synchronous events had to be canceled in the 2020 summer semester. Switching to online formats also led to lower participation. An increasing provision of asynchronous options for independent learning was able to close the gap over the course of 2020. In the 2020 summer semester and 2020/21 winter semester, 72 mainly virtual events took place with 776 participants, in the 2021 summer semester and 2021/22 winter se- mester, there were 83 events with 636 participants. The decline in synchronous events (face-to-face or virtual) was compensated by an increase in participation in online training courses, which can be taken at any time and place. Participation rose from 2020/21 from 725 to 1671 over the two 2021/22 semesters. Number of registrations and attendance 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1883 1505 1671 697 636 776 817 725 2019 2020/21 2021/22 Registrations at beginning of the seminar Attendance until end of seminar Registrations asynchronous trainings Source: IWB Programmauswertung 2019/2020

62 Sustainability Report 2021 Student initiatives at the University of Freiburg

64 64 Die studentische Selbstverwaltung: StuRa und AStA The students’ representatives are responsible for presen- ting student interests to the University and the wider world. Their supreme decision-making body is the Studierenden- rat (StuRa), to which 34 representatives of the disciplines and ten delegates from various university initiatives are elected. In the period covered by the report, the lists from campusgrün Freiburg and the Juso university group, which are explicitly active in sustainability issues, received the most votes. StuRa decides on every matter that concerns students. The General Students’ Committee (AStA) consists of up to 21 units, whose representatives are elected by StuRa, and implements the decisions of StuRa. Each of the units works independently on a long-term area of responsibility. For instance, there is an antidiscrimination unit, a higher edu- cation policy unit, a social unit, and an environment unit. Five of the units are ‘autonomous units’, which represent minorities and are engaged in reducing discrimination, e.g. the rainbow unit. All students are also entitled to exercise direct democratic influence through the annual general meeting or a ballot vote. Here too, sustainability issues can be addressed, which can be seen from the symbolic climate emergency declaration and the passing of other climate-related de- mands on the University, as well as in the expansion of the definition of diversity in 2019. “The general meeting calls on the Baden-Württemberg government, the Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Finance, to create the basic conditions so that universities can rapidly be adapted to be cli- mate-friendly. (...) The general meeting calls on the University, the Student Council and the City of Freiburg, to set climate targets that will achieve climate neutrality by no later than 2030.” (Extract from the resolution of the general meeting of the student body, November 2019) BU. Foto: ?

6666 Student initiatives and university groups – a selection Plurale Ökonomik Freiburg work group The Plurale Ökonomik Freiburg (Plural Economics) work group was founded in July 2019 with the aim of making the teaching of economics at the University of Freiburg more critical and pluralist. The idea was that, besides common economic theories, ecological, feminist or com- plexity economics approaches should be included. The work group consists of Bachelor’s and Master’s students from economics and other disciplines. They tackle sub- jects such as the post-growth economy, unconditional basic income, care work, economics in literature, the en- vironmental problem from a neo-classicist perspective, and self-organization approaches in business manage- ment. Furthermore, the work group organizes public lec- tures and workshops on pluralistic economics such as an online lecture on the subject of Transformation - from idea to implementation (2020 summer semester) and the Is this economics or can this go away? lecture series that took place in winter 2020 in cooperation with the Sustai- nability Office Uni Freiburg initiative). As part of its net- working and efforts to influence higher education policy, the work group conducts talks at a state-wide political level, as well as with economics faculty student associa- tions and teachers from the University of Freiburg about the possibilities for helping to shape a future pluralist economics introduction event. “Given the context of the economic, ecological and social crises of our time, we need economic solutions that look beyond the neo-classicist mainstream. Where better to discuss such solutions than in a university group that brings together students from all sorts of disciplines and backgrounds?” Tabea Heppner, AK Plurale Ökonomik Freiburg, BA Political Science

6868 German Medical Students’ Association human rights initiative (MIO) The human rights initiative of the German Medical Stu- dents’ Association (MIO) consists of medical students from various semesters. They are dedicated to increa- sing openness and solidarity in society, and where ne- cessary in their area undertake activities to uphold hu- man rights. Each semester they tackle a new theme at group meetings and by organizing workshops and lectu- res. For example, the group advised on the effects of the climate crisis and among other things organized a work- shop on planetary health as part of the 2020 sustainabi- lity days. The group also deals with social aspects of human rights, with a lecture on Female Gender Mutila- tion (FGM) and on medical care for migrants and home- less people. Besides their regional focus, the students aim to support international human rights projects with fund-raising campaigns. Working in cooperation with the refugee hostel at Schlier- berg, they also offer monthly leisure activities for the children who live there, such as making Halloween pumpkins or hospital visits with a teddy bear (unfortuna- tely this had to be limited to contact by letter during the pandemic). Weitblick Freiburg and the sustainability work group Weitblick is a student initiative dedicated to equal opportu- nity in education both locally and worldwide, and is struc- tured into several work groups. Their areas of activity co- ver the promotion of locally-initiated educational projects at home and abroad, an exchange between people from different backgrounds, cultures and generations, and the provision of after-school classes. With this in mind, the Freiburg sustainability work group has organized clothes exchanges, a guided tour of the Freiburg waste manage- ment site and in 2018 put together a calendar of regional and seasonal food. In addition it organizes regular work- shops and lectures, e.g. on human rights and environmen- tal protection in global industries, on sustainable food, and on the link between gender-sensitivity and climate policy. These took place as part of events, including the sustaina- bility days which Weitblick has been involved in organizing since the start.

70 70 Sustainability days The Sustainability days are a week of events organized by students, designed to cast light on various sustainability themes. Although primarily for students, the events are also open to others. The Sustainability days were launched in Freiburg 2017 and since then have taken place every summer semester. The Sustainability days program includes workshops, lec- tures, debates, and cultural and creative events, bringing together science and practical activities and giving stu- dents the opportunity to become actively involved. Their themes cover various aspects of sustainability, such as climate protection, city planning, post-growth, the mobility transition and various levels of socio-ecological change, from the individual up to society. The scope of the sustainability days has also continued to evolve: what was once a three-day program has now ex- panded to two weeks, and the originally largely face-to- face activities were entirely realized digitally in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. In recent years the sustainability days have been a volun- tary and cooperative project of the student initiatives Weit- blick, campusgrün, the environment unit, the Sustainability Office, EcoAlas, the Foundersclub, Health for Future, MIO, Fossil Free and Students for Future Freiburg. So they not only contribute to the visibility of sustainability issues, but also encourage students and activists to network. The Uni- versity too, with its faculty and central institutions, contri- butes to the success of the sustainability days by providing both substantive input and financial support, as in 2020, for example. “I find the sustainability days are a great opportunity to get to talk with one another on the subject of sustainability.” Björn Spegel, 2019 organization team, philosophy & economics teacher training

Sustainability Report 2021 72 Campus experiencing and participating

74 Scenario 2: Green electricity 2021 By contrast, certified green energy from hydropower stations only makes up approx. 8% in the carbon footprint audit where elec- tricity certificates are considered. (calculated using the 2020 emissions factor ‘from hydroelectric’ issued by the Federal Environ- ment Agency). This changes the proportions: energy for heating and cooling totals approx. 43% of emissions, procurement 42% and mobility as a whole over 5%. This points to other options for reduction and shows that the theoretical green energy carbon footprint scenario is over 30% lower than the realistic electricity carbon footprint scenario. As a whole, emissions per member of the University, depending on source of electricity, amounted to 1.7 t and 1.2 CO2-eq re- spectively in 2021. Furthermore, emissions from private life should also be added, to record all the emissions that are released. In comparison, the average German produces 11.2 CO2-eq tons per year (UBA), while the CO2 budget to achieve the Paris Ag- reement on limiting global warming to 2°C is only 2.3 t CO2/a per person (IPCC). Data basis The emission factors for electricity and the fleet derive from Federal Environment Agency sources. The emissions for energy for heating and cooling were calculated using GEMIS and the emission factors of the thermal power station as provided by the University Medical Center. The life cycle inventory database Ecoinvent 3.6 was used to calculate emis- sions for waste and water. Emissions for business trips and journeys by car result both from diesel and petrol company car emissions and from records of kilometers traveled by private car. Unfortunately there are no concrete data for flight emissions for 2021, therefore an estimate was made on the basis of data from the travel agency and using the emissions factors from atmosfair. A pilot project on emissions from business trips in a faculty in 2018 showed that only 46% of all journeys were booked via the travel agency. Emissions from procurement for 2017 were analyzed in Marcel Eichler’s Master’s thesis. This analysis was used to produce an estimate for 2021. 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 CO2 balance scenarios Conventional- and Green Electricity 2,9%; Commu�ng 29,0%; Procurement 29,8%; Hea�ng/Cooling Waste Water Business Trips and Trips by Car Air travel 4,2%; Commu�ng 42,2%; Procurement Waste Water Business Trips and Trips by Car Air Aravel 36,8%; Electricity 43,4%; Hea�ng/Cooling Conventional Electricity 8,0%; Electricity Green Electricity Electricity Heating/Cooling Procurement Commuting

76 Between 1990 and 2020 the usable area of the University of Freiburg grew by almost 100,000 m2 (roughly +45%). In this context it is worth taking a general overview of the specific changes in energy consumption and emissions: CO2 emissions in relation to area stagnated until 2004, since then emissions have fallen steadily to a level of 87 kg/m2 a usable area in 2020 (baseline 1990: 197 kg/m2 a), if the electricity emissions certificates are considered, this even falls to just 49 kg/m2 a (almost -75%). 500 400 300 200 100 0 ) 2 m a ( / h W M e s U y g r e n E y r a m i r P 250 200 150 100 50 0 ) 2 m a ( / t n i i s n o s s m E - 2 i O C 1990 2004 2011 2015 2020 Figure 2: Development of specific primary energy consumption and specific CO2 emissions from 1990 to 2020 (excluding electricity emission certificates) Scenarios The climate protection concept presents four scenarios forecasting the future growth in use of primary energy and CO2 emissions at the University of Freiburg. All the scenarios assume that the upstream electricity grid achieves the national objectives to meet the demand for electricity with renewable energy. Scenario 1: Implementation of investment and non-investment building-related measures to reduce emissions (base scenario) Regardless of the procurement of green electricity certificates, by 2045 there will be a reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 1990 of 72%. On a like-for-like basis, the reduction in CO2 emissions will be almost 82% in this scenario. Scenario 2: Implementation of investment and non-investment building-related measures to reduce emissions and gradual ad- aptation of procurement of gas for Freiburg University’s Medical Center thermal power station with up to 50% emissions-free fuel in accordance with the gas mix currently expected in the supply network beginning from 2030 Scenario 3: Implementation of investment and non-investment building-related measures and emissions-free heat supply, e.g. using geothermal energy Scenario 4: Implementation of investment and non-investment building-related measures, gradual adaptation of procurement of gas for Freiburg University Medical Center’s thermal power station with up to 50% emissions-free fuel and procurement of emissions-free electricity By 2045 there will be a reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 1990 of about 86%. On an area-adjusted basis, the reduction in CO2 emissions will be 91% in this scenario.

78 Energy The University of Freiburg’s total energy consumption is largely influenced by buildings’ technical features and use. The number of technical facilities has grown steadily in recent years, however they have brought with them greater efficien- cy than many of the older systems. There are a number of reasons for the decline in heating consumption: e.g. a result of one-off efficiency improvements connected with heating, from renovation and modernization measures, and from reduced use of steam for chilling in absorption chillers. To ensure that chilling is as efficient as possible, the cooling circuit system in the Institutsviertel district has been gradually expanded. It is mainly stored in a central cooling unit, which uses groundwater to chill. This chilling process warms the ground water slightly, after which the circuit pumps it back into the ground. As well as this central system, additional decentral units that chill using electricity or steam can also be fed into the circuit. The operating concept envisages that the chilling required in the supply network is always generated using the most efficient unit available. Systematic use of groundwater in this type of refrigeration enables a large saving compared to purely decentral generation of energy production in the form of steam and electricity for chilling. The outage of the central, groundwater operated chiller in the period 2012/13 can be clearly seen in the sudden rise in the heating/chilling energy curve as a result of steam consumption in the same period, as chilling using steam-operated absorbers largely had to be used in compensation. 2018 was one of the warmest years since weather records began, and as a result, heat consumption at the University was significantly lower than other years. The slight rise in electricity and heating energy consumption in the subsequent year was, besides changes in the structure of the areas in use and a relatively lower temperature, also due to technical problems and building work which meant that the central groundwater chiller system once again was inoperable in the relevant period, and less efficient, decentral units again had to be used for chilling. On account of the weather, and in particular the very cold spring when the heating was on until May, consumption of heating energy rose drastically in 2021. . Specific Energy and Water Consumption per Member r e b m e M / h W k 3.000 2.500 2.000 1.500 1.000 500 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Power Consumption Heating/Cooling Drinking Water Consumption r e b m e M / ³ m 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

80 Water In the past 30 years, numerous water consumption reduction measures have led to a steady decline in use at the University even though the number of people employed, students and the area itself have grown significantly. In this period, the University together with the Baden-Württemberg (Freiburg) real estate management authority have consistently implemented effective long-term in- vestments in measures to save drinking water, e.g. use of groundwater instead of drinking water for cooling, water-saving fittings and urinals, and vacuum pumps instead of water jet pumps in the laboratories. In the Otto-Krayer-Haus, rainwater is supplied to the toilets. The renovations that have been ongoing for over more than five years in the chemistry laboratories have also signifi- cantly contributed to reducing water consumption. As a result, drinking water is only used for cooling in laboratories where this is technically unavoidable. Annual Drinking Water Consumption / 1.000 m³ 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 442 402 366 327 300 248 237 232 224 214 180 165 171 158 154 157 152 160 151 155 156 149 152 161 157 150 148 132 121 105 91 1 9 9 1 1 9 9 2 1 9 9 3 1 9 9 4 1 9 9 5 1 9 9 6 1 9 9 7 1 9 9 8 1 9 9 9 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 5 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 7 2 0 0 8 2 0 0 9 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 6 2 0 1 7 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 Waste In 2020 the volume of waste was 1080 t and therefore 2% lower than the previous year (1107 t). In 2021 the effects of the pandemic led to a further reduction in the total quantity of waste, which at 855 tons was 22% lower than in 2019. Due to social and ecological reasons, the University’s e-waste is not recycled overseas but only in Germany, France or Switzerland. Thermal utilization of biowaste takes place in a biogas plant that only produces electricity from this (and not from energy crops) and that uses all the excess heat to dry out compost. Garden and park waste are com- posted. The reusable special toxic waste management system at the University of Freiburg was introduced in 2001 and has resulted in major ecological and economic benefits and significantly fewer accidents at work in this area. By using reusable canisters and reusable barrels for hazardous waste, this system saves a considerable amount of material and at the same time reduces CO2 emissions. The University of Freiburg’s environmentally-friendly special waste ma- nagement system was described in an article in the Journal of Environmental Safety. Collection boxes for empty ink and toner cartridges from office printers are set up in every area of the University, for recycling instead of disposal. Ink and toner cartridges are collected and where possible refilled. In 2020 and 2021 over 1100 ink and toner cartridges were returned to the recycling company for refilling, with roughly 80% being refilled and the remainder recycled or disposed of.

82 Primary means of transport for commuting More than half of the staff surveyed at the University of Freiburg get to work in a CO2-neutral way. (n = 1424) Main Means of Transport Car 16,2% To Walk 4,7% Carpool 0,4% Public Transport 23,9% Bicycle 50,5% Pedelec (E- Bike) 4,4% Verkehrsmittel der Beschäftigten mit Wegstrecken Result Poll - Transport employees (one-way distances per month) ) h t n o m r e p m k ( e c n a t s d i y a w - e n O 6500 5500 4500 3500 2500 1500 500 -500 To W alk from 3-9 km To W alk less than 3 km public transport from 10-19 km Pedelec (E-Bike) from 20-29 km public transport from 3-9 km public transport from 20-29 km public transport from 30-39 km bicycle from 3-9 km bicycle less than 3 km public transport less than 3 km public transport from 40-49 km Carpool from 3-9 km bicycle from 20-29 km Car 50 km and more Car from 3-9 km Car from 40-49 km Pedelec (E-Bike) from 10-19 km bicycle from 10-19 km Car from 30-39 km Car less than 3 km Carpool less than 3 km Car from 20-29 km Pedelec (E-Bike) less than 3 km Car from 10-19 km Pedelec (E-Bike) from 3-9 km public transport 50 and m ore Werden die durch Corona-Pandemie hervorgerufenen Veränderungen eine langfristige Auswirkung auf Ihr Mobilitätsverhalten haben? The results on the long-term effects of the corona pandemic on mobility patterns were revealing. The survey showed that more staff work from home as a result of the pandemic, and this has had a fundamental effect on mobility with some favoring the bi- cycle or car over public transport. Nevertheless, 72% stated that their mobility patterns had not changed. Since the pandemic, university staff have worked from home on average seven days a month in comparison to just 1.5 days before the pandemic. Calculations based on the mobility survey showed that the emissions from commuting fell by 18% during the corona pandemic in comparison to 2019. This is above all due to reduced use of public transport. The amount of kilometers traveled by car was only reduced by 1%, since the increase in car traffic because of the pandemic offset the savings in mobility emissions from wor- king from home. In addition, the many comments made by participants revealed diverse points of view regarding the subject of mobility. These ranged from criticism for the lack of safety checks for cars as a counterpart to the free bicycle check, through to enthusiasm for sustainable mobility.

E-mobility at the University of Freiburg Replacing combustion engine vehicles with e-mobility is an important step towards climate protection and is given as a measure in the University’s mobility concept, which is currently being developed. The University replaced three diesel-engine service vehicles with electrical in 2021, since low emission drives are a key factor for new acquisitions in the fleet. In April the first e-charging station exclusively for university staff was built at the Department of Psychology as a result of interest expressed by people employed there. Further stations for staff are planned for the BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies buildings (in Schänzlestraße) and in Katharinenstraße. Another charging station for the University’s e-bus has been requested from Baden-Württemberg’s parking space management service. There are also charging stations in the University’s basement garages, which are available to everyone. Flight emissions Business trips and flights in particular make up a considerable part of the University’s total emissions. Initial calculations show that before the pandemic business trips caused more than 10% of the University’s total emissions, and more than 90% of these emissions were from flights (2018/19 Environmental Report). Therefore, since 2019, the University of Freiburg has been active- ly engaged with the issue of emissions from business trips. In June 2019 the interdisciplinary work group Flying Faculties was formed, and undertook a pilot project analyzing a faculty’s emissions from business trips for 2018. The results of the pilot project are presented in the Environmental Report 2018/19. These data have been used to estimate the University’s entire emissions for flights. An Intrex application to record emissions from flights is currently being developed and will shortly be in use. All staff who apply for travel authorization will then have to input data about their flight into this app and analyze their own emissions. Within the scope of the Baden-Württemberg higher education funding agreement 2021-2025, the University of Freiburg has undertaken to pay a climate levy on flights from 2021. However, the University regards compensation for flight emissions as just an additional measure and is endeavoring to reduce flight emissions as much as possible, without harming the quality of research and international cooperation. With its new air travel guidelines, the University wants to achieve significant reductions in flight emissions. The Flying Faculties work group has made specific recommendations on reducing flight emissions, including a ban on short haul flights, defined as destinations that can be reached by train within eight hours. Exceptions to this rule for e.g. fami- ly or logistical reasons must be justified. The impact on the climate from business trips is given high priority in the list of decision- making criteria for business trips. The air travel guidelines will be brought in over the coming years and should increase awaren- ess of the effects of flying on climate change among members of the University. Flights will always remain an essential part of university life and research, for example for field research, conferences and co- operations with other universities. However, the corona pandemic has shown that routine meetings, many lectures and some conferences can easily be conducted virtually. Other advantages of these digital solutions besides savings on emissions include a better work/life balance and the opportunity for researchers from financially less well-off countries to take part in events and discussions.

86 University of Freiburg