Welcome to the sustainability management of the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen
In its university strategy, the THM has set itself the goal of holistically considering sustainability as a cross-sectional dimension, taking an integrative view of ecological, social and economic aspects and in the sense of the whole institution approach in the central performance dimensions of the university - studies & teaching, research, transfer, university operations and Governance (good university management) – to be permanently anchored.
The THM is based on the 17 goals for sustainable development that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and are included in the German and Hessian sustainability strategy. In order to achieve these goals, a social transformation is necessary, in the process of which universities in particular have the potential to play a central role as pioneers and initiators. All dimensions of sustainability must play an important role in the actions of every university in view of scientifically proven knowledge about crossing planetary boundaries, which have an important role model function, especially when dealing with their own resources. The THM also wants to live up to this responsibility.
The relevant university areas of the THM should be involved in all activities and students should prepare applied project work as part of their studies with the aim of raising awareness and gaining multipliers within the entire university.
The coordination for the sustainable university development at the THM is carried out by the sustainability management. Sustainability management and the Green Office work in a complementary manner on differentiated approaches to common sustainability issues and are in close contact. Joint activities are also coordinated with those involved in the ECO2 project. The basis for this is both the Hessian University Pact 2021-2025, the University strategy of the THM as well as the THM sustainability strategy.
The sustainability projects are supported as part of the HHSP 2021-2025 by the innovation and structural development funding of the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art.
sustainability management
The creation of basic organizational structures at the THM is an essential component for the implementation of its sustainability goals. For that Sustainability department set up, which acts as a superordinate coordinating and organizing structure and together with the sustainability officer and the Vice Presidents 'Strategic Planning and Sustainability, FM' the THM sustainability management forms. Sustainability management works according to "top-down" principle.
Green Office
In 2022 that will be Green Office set up, which after "bottom-up" principle is working. It enables all university members to contribute to the development of a more sustainable university. The Green Office is the central point the THM for all university members to initiate concrete sustainability projects, to exchange ideas, to participate and to bundle, share and expand knowledge.
Sustainable mobility
According to initial surveys, mobility, especially in the form of arrival and departure traffic for students and employees, is the largest CO2 driver at THM . As part of the Sustainability Department, the Sustainable Mobility team wants to work towards the use of climate-friendly means of transport and to develop and operationally implement a mobility concept at the university. To this end, we work with numerous actors inside and outside the THM in order to make a joint contribution to the mobility transition.
ECO2 – energy concept for a CO2-neutral university
As part of the project that has been running for several years ECO2 – energy concept for a CO2-neutral university numerous activities were initiated and implemented. Among other things, an energy concept was drawn up as a basis for future action plans to be implemented in the short, medium or long term, with the aim of reducing CO 2-Reduce emissions from the university and increase energy efficiency. Furthermore, a energy management system implemented for systematic data acquisition.
By 2030 the goal of a CO2-neutral university, it is important to reduce the energy consumption of the THM as best as possible through energy-saving measures and to compensate with renewable energies. Because the Hessian state government has the CO 2 target of the State Government of Hessen.
