Sustainability
Memberships and Networks
In order to advance the sustainability process and provide university members with exchange opportunities on the topic of sustainability at universities, the university is a member of DG HochN. The Membership enables all university members (explicitly also students) to participate and discuss in one of the various hubs on topics such as innovative teaching formats for ESD, climate neutrality at universities, sustainability reports and student engagement. Information on the different offers can be found on the website, where a newsletter can also be ordered.
ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility
A visit to the Green Office of Utrecht University
From 30.05.2023 to 02.06.2023, the Sustainability Office of Bielefeld University visited Utrecht University as part of the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility to get to know the work of the Green Office there. The experiences of other universities on the topic of sustainability are essential for the work of the Sustainability Office.
The Green Office in Utrecht is considered a best-practice example of an established sustainability office. Since September 2013, it has focused on information, activation and advice/support for students and employees in the implementation of sustainability projects. It later became part of the Sustainability Office, which brings together all university policy activities in the area of sustainability. The Green Office in Utrecht is also a visible contact point for ideas and concerns around the topic of sustainability, where students find the space to exchange ideas about sustainability and initiate projects, but also to find out about topics such as recycling or sustainable business trips, or to take a free plant cutting from the baby plant stand. Workshops and presentations on the topic of sustainability also regularly find their place in the Green Office.
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The many sustainability initiatives on campus are impressive, especially the large flowering areas and wild meadows, the Tiny Forest and the planting boxes of the various departmental student representative committees. In addition, Utrecht University's Green Office runs a cargo bike rental service, a Thrift Shack as a swap meet for used items and the 'Freedge' - a fridge for sharing food. In general, the Utrecht University campus is very modern, especially with good cycling infrastructure, a grey water system for watering plants, video conference booths and shared offices. There is also a wide range of plant-based food options throughout the campus.
Utrecht's modern cityscape is also impressive, especially the city's focus on cycling in the form of very well-developed cycle paths and numerous bicycle parking facilities, for example in the world's largest bicycle parking garage, which has space for around 12,500 bicycles.
Overall, the visit to Utrecht was very inspiring and provided an insight into the successful strategies and initiatives to promote sustainability on campus and in the city. Especially for the work in the Sustainability Office, many ideas and inspirations could be taken away.
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Premises of the Green Office .jpeg)
Premises of the Green Office 
View over the campus with wild meadows and cycle paths 
View of wild meadows on the campus 
Horse paddock of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 
Wild meadows as sheep pasture on campus 
Rainbow coloured bike lane on campus 
Partially covered bicycle racks on campus 
Grey water station for filling watering cans .jpeg)
Ideas board on the topic of sustainable nutrition .jpeg)
Information posters on the duty travel guidelines 
Cargot bikes can be borrowed free of charge in front of the Green Office