Chronology
Overview Milestones
Milestones of Sustainability Management at Freie Universität Berlin
2024
June: Nomination for the German Sustainability Award (DNP) in the Schools and Universities sector.
June: New project position for the topic of Sustainable Mobility.
June: "Multispecies Campus - a Living Lab for Biodiversity, Creativity, and Health." First funding notice issued for a Living Lab project as part of the Ideas and Innovations Management.
June: Times Higher Impact Ranking 2024: Freie Universität Berlin ranked 1st among German universities and among the world's leading universities for "Gender Equality."
June: Real Utopias. What if the future turns out well? The ninth Sustainability Days took place at FU on June 25 and 26.
June: The initiative Sustain It!@UniGardening celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 24.
May: Opening event of the Biodiversity Year in the Botanical Garden and publication of the Biodiversity Strategy.
May: Futurist Awarding – The Futurists Tiny Forest, FUturesLiteracy, the Zukunftslaube Podcast, the Firebugs, and the Green Room Dividers presented their ideas for a more sustainable FU.
May: Solar Power: The 10th PV system was put into operation.
May: Discover sustainability through play - Play the FU Campus Rallye with Actionbound.
March: For the 30th time: Freie Universität invites students to the Sustainability + Climate Protection University.
March: Conducting a Think Camp for the new Biodiversity Strategy.
February: New project position for the topic of Biodiversity.
February: Interdisciplinary workshop "Transformative Teaching in Times of Multiple Crises."
February: Sharing with fainin: Community offering for all employees and students.
2023
December: Planting of 75 beeches with tree sponsorships in the Climate Forest teaching and research project in Berlin Grunewald for the 75th anniversary of FU Berlin.
December: Strategy meeting of the Presidium on climate targets on Dec. 5, 2024.
December: Flexible mobility: Eight Jelbi locations on the Dahlem campus.
November: ESD workshop at the Sustainability Day at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.
October: University joins the international network "Nature Positive Universities."
October: Declaration of 2024 as the Year of Biodiversity.
October: The ABV department's Sustainable Development course offerings start in the winter semester 23/24 with a new SPO including the 5th project module "Understanding Sustainability" and integrated learning workshops.
September: Successful EMAS validation and publication of the 3rd Environmental Statement.
August: Awarding of the Berlin Nature Conservation Prize 2023 to Sophie Lokatis, co-founder and long-time spokesperson of the Blooming Campus initiative.
August: Sustainable to FU - Campus.Leben article on the mobility survey published.
June: "That’s not my bag" - Student ideas competition for a sustainable campus launched.
June 20-22: SUSTAINABILITY DAYS at FU under the motto "Create the Change."
June: FU ranked 24th out of 735 participating universities in the "SDG 13 - Climate Action" category of the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2023, making it the best German university.
June 10-11: Long Day of Urban Nature in the community gardens of Freie Universität Berlin.
April 26: Prof. Kaboth-Bahr (Climate Research) recognized as an outstanding early-career scientist.
April: TURN Conference 2022: The e-journal is online.
February: New newsletter Nature.Environment.Sustainability published.
2022
November 1-9: The first digital conference of the University Alliance for Sustainability und Una Europa Alliance took place under the name Emerging Researchers‘ Conference 2022 "Building Digital Bridges and Exploring the SDG Discourse".
October: FUturist goes in round 2!
September: Umwelterklärung (Environmental Statement) has been published (so far only available in german).
September: Results of the #FUClimateChallenge are online.
September 4-15: International Alumni Workshop "Innovating for Sustainability".
June: Sustainable Campus Tour, a web-based audio tour leads to 16 stations and sustainability projects and activities on the main campus in Dahlem.
June 7-10: SUSTAIN IT! Sustainability Days.
June 7: Sustainability Report 2022 released!
June: Mobility survey shows more frequent use of local public transport among FUB members.
May: Placement of the FUB as one of the two best German universities according to the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2022.
February: Blühender Campus launches the first FU-wide early bloomer challenge.
2021
December: Freie Universität Berlin ranked 118th in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2021. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2021 includes more than 1,500 universities.
December: Freie Universität Berlin takes 25th place in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. In an international comparison, a total of 956 universities took part.
November 2: Second Una Europa Talk at the Freie Universität Berlin.
November: Environmental certification according to the European environmental management standard EMAS: the environmental management system at Freie Universität Berlin was successfully audited by an external environmental auditor (EMAS stands for Eco-Management and Audit Scheme and is the environmental management certification of the European Union).
October 20-21: Second Una Europa Student Congress at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
October 5: In the Paper Atlas university competition “Initiative Pro Recyclingpapier”, the FU Berlin was awarded again after the success of the previous year and received second place.
October: Implementation of the second digital UAS Conference as part of the University Alliance for Sustainability.
October: The FUturist call for proposals promotes ideas that make a direct contribution to the goals of the climate emergency declaration and are innovative. 28 ideas were submitted.
October: Kick-off meeting of the FUdsharing team and reopening of the fair divider after the pandemic break.
September 13-17: Schüler:innenUni sustainability + climate protection with 73 hands-on workshops on sustainable development.
August: Establishment of an institutional idea and innovation management to promote campus-related climate protection projects, sustainability-related awards and living Labs.
June: Schüler:innenUni sustainability + climate protection with 54 hands-on workshops.
February 24: First Una Europa Student Congress.
February 23-24: The Una Europa community met to launch the 3-year project Una.Resin and initiate and scale up pilot initiatives to build a shared Una Europa ecosystem for research and innovation.
February: Extension of the research project FUBIC: All-Electricity Realization (FAE-R). This will be funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) until 2025.
January: Extension of the project trAndeS (postgraduate program on sustainability and inequality research) until 2025.
2020
December: Freie Universität Berlin took 117th place in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2020. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020 includes almost 1,400 universities.
December: In an international comparison, Freie Universität Berlin took 26th place in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings out of a total of 911 universities.
December: 10 years commitment of the sustainability initiative SUSTAIN IT! of the Freie Universität.
November: First Una Europa Talk at Freie Universität Berlin. The Talk was an integral part of the remote #WorldScienceSummit Programme organized by the Berlin Science Week and Falling Walls Foundation.
October: Implementation of the first digital UAS Conference as part of the University Alliance for Sustainability.
June 16: Introduction of the integrated occupational safety, health and environmental management system AGUM.
May: Founding of the second ecological community garden “Blattlaube” through the initiative SUSTAIN IT!
May: First butterfly monitoring of the "Blooming Campus" project.
January 22-23: The Una Europa University Alliance launches its 1EUROPE project.
January: Founding of the steering committee for sustainability and climate protection set up by the Executive Committee and Academic Senate.
2019
December: Freie Universität Berlin is the first german university to adopt the declaration of climate emergency and names 7 sub-goals, including anchoring climate protection in all decisions and planning, comprehensive integration of sustainability and climate protection in teaching and curricula, and achieving climate neutrality by 2025.
December: Freie Universität Berlin is ranked 23rd in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking out of a total of 780 universities, making it one of the top 3% in the ranking.
December: Freie Universität Berlin is a founding member of the global university network U7 Alliance of World Universities with 45 member universities.
November: Start of the European university network UNA Europa with a total of 8 well-known universities (Freie Universität Berlin is the lead for the Focus Area Sustainability).
September 9-13: 21st Schools@University for Sustainability + Climate at Freie Universität.
August: Founding of the Coordination Office for Nature, Environment and Sustainability Education (NUN).
June 17-21: Sixth University Days for Sustainability 2019: Do it 4 Future! organized by the Sustain It! Initiative with interactive program on the campus of Freie Universität.
May: Start of the Living Lab: „Blühender Campus“ (Blossoming Campus), an interdisciplinary and cross-institution initiative dedicated to promoting biodiversity on the FU Campus.
April-July: In the summer semester of 2019, eight seminars and a lecture series in the field of General Career Preparation will be offered. The competence area Sustainable Development will thus enter the second round and establish itself as a regular offer.
April 01-05: 4th Spring Campus Conference of the University Alliance for Sustainability on "The Future is Now: Driving Sustainable Development" with a focus on energy, nutrition and mobility with 166 participants from 20 countries, 60 universities and non-university institutions, including a virtual keynote speech from Sweden.
March 25-29: 20th Schools@University for Sustainability + Climate at Freie Universität
January 1: Start of the joint project FUBIC: All-Electricity Realization for Technology Quarters.
2018
November: Opening of the FUndgrube, a virtual, internal university platform for used objects. Here items can be exchanged, borrowed and passed on. In this way, the FU Berlin wants to avoid unnecessary throwing away and find happy users.
November: Relaunch of the sustainability website at Freie Universität Berlin.
October: The newly established Sustainable Development competence area of the General Vocational Preparation (ABV) study area starts with seven seminars and a lecture series.
June 19: The Schools@University for Sustainability + Climate Protection educational project receive the International Sustainable Campus Network Award. The education format receives this award in the category Excellence in Innovative Collaboration
June 18-22: The SUSTAIN IT! Initiative hosts the 5th University Days Sustainability + Climate Protection at Freie Universität Berlin, with the theme being Is This Trash or Can It Go?
April – July: Launch of Sustainable Economic Operations and Shaping Sustainablility pilot modules as part of the General Professional Skills Courses
April 9-13: 3rd Spring Campus Conference of the University Alliance for Sustainability on Moving Beyond the Ivory Tower: How do Science and Universities Contribute to the Sustainability Transformation? including 144 participants from 14 countries and 30 universities as well as 12 non-university institutions
April 9: Publication of Freie Universität Berlin’s first sustainability report
April 9: Signing of a second climate protection agreement with the State of Berlin with the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by another 10% by the end of 2027 (2018-2027).
2017
November 22: Opening FUdsharing-Fairteiler at Freie Universität Berlin
October – February: Second pilot module Sustainability Management in the competence area Organization and Management as part of the General Professional Skills Courses
October 16-18: Second Teaching Incubator of the University Alliance for Sustainability
March 27-31: 2nd Spring Campus Conference of the University Alliance for Sustainability on Societal Transformation to Sustainability: Universities as Pacesetters? including 150 participants from 11 countries and 32 universities as well as 11 non-university institutions
April – July: Launch of Sustainability Management pilot module in the competence area Organization and Management as part of the General Professional Skills Courses
2016
May 20: Constitutive meeting of the Central Sustainability Steering Committee and initiation of the thematic teaching, research, participation, and campus management working groups
April 25-29: 3rd University Days Sustainability + Climate Protection of the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative on g)re(eneration including activities, exhibitions, films, discussions, and the interactive art project Art to Stay. Enjoying Once (Again)
April 11-15: 1st Spring Campus Conference of the University Alliance for Sustainability on Connecting Communities for Sustainability. Do Universities Matter? including 120 participants from 11 countries and 19 universities
March 14: The Executive Board passes the Sustainability Mission Statement
2015
June 2015: First Network Board Meeting as part of the University Alliance for Sustainability
Passing of the first draft of the Sustainability Mission Statement by the Network Board
For the third time (in addition to 2003 and 2008): Award for Outstanding Projects of Public Institutions from the ClimateProtectionPartner Berlin Alliance
March 25-27: 5th UGAF Workshop on Sustainability at Universities – How to Combine Management and Participation? including more than 80 participants from 16 European countries and 34 universities as well as 10 additional scientific institutions
Approval of the University Alliance for Sustainability by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Establishment of the Unit for Sustainability and Energy Management, assigned directly to the Executive Board
2014
December: Launch of the third combined heat and power (CHP) plant inside the Department of Pharmacy in Kelchstraße 31 with an electric capacity of 50 kW
Anchoring of the responsibility for topics related to sustainability in research and teaching within the Executive Board (Prof. Brigitta Schütt, Vice President 4)
Admission of Freie Universität Berlin into ISCN (International Sustainable Campus Network) and into the Green Alliance of Universities for a Sustainable Future (GAUSF), founded by Peking University
2nd Forum N with the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) and the HIS-Institute for University Development
Cross-disciplinary Master’s course From Knowledge to Action – Social-ecological transformation in times of multiple crises of the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative
Core membership in the UNICA GREEN (formerly UGAF UNICA Green Academic Footprint) working group
2013
Suspension of the ISO-14001 certification in order to prepare energy and environmental management for the challenges of comprehensive sustainability management
Cross-disciplinary public lecture series From Knowledge to Change – Sustainability as a Challenge for the University and Science of the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative.
Launch of two combined heat and power (CHP) plants with an electric capacity of 280 and 240 kW in Düppel (Department of Veterinary Medicine) and Lankwitz (Department of Geosciences)
Improvement of the incentivizing effect of the Bonus Scheme; lowering of the baseline by 10% from 2013 to 2016
Sustainability becomes anchored as a new aspect of the profile of Freie Universität Berlin
2012
June 4-6: 2nd University Days Sustainability + Climate Protection of the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative
1st place in the GASAG Innovation Competition in the category Architecture and Climate for the university’s climate protection program; 3rd place in the category Architecture and Climate for its plans to build a combined heat and power plant using natural gas in the Botanic Garden; 3rd place in the category Education and Innovation for the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative
late 2012/early 2013: 1st annual work holidays during the two-week academic holida
2011
June Signing of a Climate Protection Agreement with the State of Berlin (2011-2015) as first higher education institution in Berlin
June 22-23: 1st University Days Sustainability + Climate Protection of the SUSTAIN IT! Initiative in cooperation with the Environmental Policy Research Centre and the Green University Group
Expansion of the internal audits to 30 on-site inspections annually in the university’s natural sciences departments
Initial operation of three photovoltaic systems on the roofs of Koserstraße 20, Otto-von-Simson-Straße 26, and Arnimallee 3, with a capacity of 153 kWp
2010
Beginning of the new certification cycle based on the environmental management system ISO 14001 (2010-2012)
Creation of the sustainability SUSTAIN IT! Initiative together with environmentally conscious students and the Environmental Policy Research Center (FFU)
1st place in the GASAG innovation competition in the category Architecture and Climate for the Bonus Scheme for Energy Savings
Initial operation of three photovoltaic systems on the roofs of Habelschwerdter Allee 45 and Fabeckstraße 32, with a capacity of 215 kWp
Passing of the Green IT Program by the Chief Information Officer Executive Board (CIO)
2009
Successful completion of the certification cycle based on the environmental management system ISO 14001 (2007-2009)
Launch of comprehensive technical and structural energy efficiency programs as part of the Stimulus Package II
Development of the Green IT concept in cooperation with the Central Facility for Data Processing
Initial operation of three photovoltaic systems on the roof of the Rostlaube, including that of the student project UniSolar, with a capacity of 94 kWp
Initial operation of a solar spring system with a 60-m2 collector area on the cafeteria roof (Lankwitz campus)
2008
Sixth energy efficiency program of the Division Engineering and Utilities
Recipient of the Berlin Environmental Award of the ClimateProtectionPartner Berlin alliance in the category Award for Outstanding Projects of Public Institutions
Initial operation of the first photovoltaic system at Freie Universität Berlin on the roof of Arnimallee 14
2007
Certification of the entire university in accordance with the environmental management system ISO 14001 (2007-2009)
Introduction of the Bonus Scheme for Energy Savings to incentivize individual and organizational energy savings
Fifth energy efficiency program of the Division Engineering and Utilities
2006
Fourth energy efficiency program of the Division Engineering and Utilities
Certification of select sites in accordance with the environmental management system ISO 14001 – Lankwitz campus (Department of Geosciences), Botanic Garden
2005
Establishment of the Unit for Energy Management & Environment as a Unit in the Division Engineering and Utilities at Freie Universität Berlin
Validation according to the European Union Eco-Management and Audit
Scheme (EMAS) on the Düppel campus at the Department of Veterinary Medicine (2005-2007)
Third energy efficiency program of the Division Engineering and Utilities
2004
Award as Berlin eco-profit institution and certification of a select site according to the environmental management system ISO 14001 (campus Düppel, Department of Veterinary Medicine)
Second energy efficiency program of the Division Engineering and Utilities
2003
First energy efficiency program of the Division Engineering and Utilities
Recipient of the Berlin Environmental Award of the Alliance ClimateProtectionPartner Berlin in the category Award for Outstanding Projects of Public Institutions
Establishment of the university’s first environmental team at the Department of Veterinary Medicine as part of the eco-profit project
2002
Establishment of the Energy Management working group at the leadership level
Creation of both rough and detailed analyses on the energy optimization of select institute buildings
2001
Creation of the position for energy management as a unit in the Division of Engineering and Utilities; establishment of an operational energy controlling
