Sustainability at Hochschule Geisenheim University

Hochschule Geisenheim University aims to integrate principles of sustainability into the university development process. For this purpose, the department "Strategic University Development and Sustainability" was established as a central coordination and steering unit. The department is responsible for implementing a holistic approach (Whole Institution Approach) to sustainable development at the university and defining sustainability goals. This is done transparently, with broad participation and with the intention of strengthening existing commitment. This comprehensive approach includes five areas of action: university administration/governance, operations, teaching & student affairs, research and transfer. Our goal is to make the entire university as resource-efficient as possible. 

The central plattform to shape our sustainable university is the Green Office (sustainability office), which enables participation of all university members and raises awareness for holistic sustainability.

At Hochschule Geisenheim University, we understand sustainability and a sustainable development as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” – a definition from the Brundtland Report published in 1987. Our efforts to make the university more sustainable are guided by the integrated sustainability model: what can be implemented within planetary boundaries (ecology) and in a socially just (social) and economically efficient manner (economy) is considered sustainable. In addition, we are guided by the 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and the UNESCO program “Education for Sustainable Development: Towards achieving the SDGs” (ESD for 2030).

Hochschule Geisenheim University is working towards a Fair Trade University certification, which is awarded by the “TransFair Association for the Promotion of Fair Trade in One World”. What started out as a student initiative has turned into a cross-university project group involving students, scientific and administrative members of staff as well as professors. The group is chaired by University President Prof. Hans Reiner Schultz.

The project group brings together interested members of the university, and communicates the topic both internally and externally. They organize initiatives and make sure that all requirements are met. But the group even wants to go one step further and raise awareness of subjects such as green production, sustainability, food waste and resource efficiency.

Clothing, coffee, fruit or vegetables – by choosing Fairtrade products, consumers can make a difference. Our choices help to make sure that people who produce, process, transport and sell our products are paid a fair price. Quite often, farmers and workers only receive a tiny share of what we pay for their products. By making production costs, wages and value chains more transparent, different initiatives aim to make trade fairer and more sustainable and promote solidarity.

Fairtrade means:

• fair minimum prices so that all people along the value chain can earn a good living
• long-term and reliable trade relations
• protecting the right of workers and children; no child labour
• promoting environmental protection during cultivation, production and processing

In addition, communication and raising awarness are other important factors that Hochschule Geisenheim University wants to promote.