Vision: THM – Living Sustainability: We are not only a think tank and place of learning for sustainability, but also see ourselves in terms of the whole institution approach as a living space with a role model function and a living culture of sustainability. The topic of sustainability is firmly anchored in the structure and personnel of the THM and is continuously being further developed.
mission statement: To implement this vision, four fields of action were identified, derived from the Sustainable Development Goals, which describe the self-image and the principles in the area of governance.
1) Permanent organizational anchoring, participation and coordination (SDG 4, 16)
We are continuously developing our understanding of sustainability with the involvement of all status groups and have the necessary organizational and operational requirements to successfully coordinate and implement our commitment to sustainability.
2) Dealing with employees, students and other stakeholders (SDG 4, 5, 8, 9)
We live fairness, appreciation and trust in dealing with our employees, students, alumni and cooperation partners and are aware of our social responsibility as a research and educational institution.
3) Knowledge networking and communication (SDG 4, 12, 13, 17)
We systematically record and network our existing knowledge and our current research on the subject of sustainability and coordinate regular internal and external communication. We initiate and support the regional, national and international discourse on sustainability.
4) Systematic sustainability management and reporting (SDG 12, 16)
We measure our sustainability performance continuously and consistently. Our goals are defined with concrete target values and time horizons and are the subject of target agreement processes and incentive systems. We report regularly on our goals and their implementation.
Definition of "sustainability" for the performance dimension governance: Our actions are based on the definitions of sustainability Charter of the Sustainable Business Initiative (Hessen) and the DG HighN: Sustainability governance at universities based on:
Sustainable action “means looking to the future and constantly reflecting on the ecological, economic and social consequences of our […] actions. As a […] organization in Hesse, we do this with respect for all people, nature and the environment, locally and worldwide.” The "cross-sectional area of governance [...] deals with the structural conditions and institutional mechanisms of university sustainability".
The following objectives with time milestones are identified for the four fields of action of the mission statement:
| Permanent organizational anchoring, participation and coordination | |
|---|---|
| We have developed a common understanding of sustainability at the THM . | 2023 |
| We regularly review our understanding of sustainability and adapt it to current developments. | from 2023 onwards |
| We have created structural and process organizational requirements in all organizational units (central and decentralized). | until 2030 |
| Dealing with employees, students and other stakeholders | |
|---|---|
| We are committed to diversity, equal opportunities and participation, both within and outside the university. | ongoing |
| We have established modern and fair forms of work and study and regularly adapt them to social and individual requirements. | ongoing |
| We have extensive support offers for the compatibility of family and work or studies. | ongoing |
| We have identified key topic areas for the training and Professional Development of employees and students in the area of sustainability and are making corresponding offers. | from 2025 onwards |
| knowledge networking and communication | |
|---|---|
| We are networked with all relevant stakeholders within and outside the university. | until 2025 |
| We have created permanent structures for networking and communication with all stakeholders. | until 2025 |
| We have identified key topic areas for knowledge exchange and Professional Development for internal and external stakeholder groups and are coordinating appropriate measures. | until 2025 |
| Systematic sustainability management and reporting | |
|---|---|
| We have defined our sustainability goals, derived measures, specified a time horizon for implementation and report regularly as part of sustainability reporting. | until 2025 |
| We regularly monitor, evaluate and report the degree of target achievement using defined key figures. | from 2025 onwards |
| We integrate the issue of sustainability and the results of sustainability monitoring into all decisions and processes at the university. | from 2025 onwards |
| We have established an independent quality assessment of our activities within the framework of sustainability and carry them out regularly. | until 2035 |
Tabel. 1: Objectives in the four fields of action of the performance dimension governance
The complete Governance sub-strategy, including suggestions for measures and their measurability, is available as a PDF.