Ressort Presse

• von Janina Balzer
• 07.08.2025

Dr Sebastian Schmuck has known the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) for over 25 years – from various perspectives: He studied civil engineering here, specialising in urban water management and waste management. His doctoral thesis focused on the CO₂ balance of wastewater treatment plants. Since 2008, he has worked in the Faculty of Engineering in the field of urban water and waste management. But that’s not all – a new task now awaits him, one in which he is particularly focused on the future of the UDE.

Mr Schmuck, you’ve recently taken on the role of Sustainability Manager at the UDE. What exactly does this role involve?

I’m developing a proposal for a sustainability strategy. It’s not just about what we’re already doing, but above all how we can shape this in the future – systematically, transparently, and over the long term. There are already many projects, such as the campus garden, the biodiversity and sustainability nature trail, or the green roofs on campus. But there is still no unified direction with measurable overarching goals. That’s what I get to help develop now.

You're an expert in urban water and waste management. How did you come to focus on sustainability?

My entry point was initially technical – waste streams, buildings, resources, CO₂ balances. At some point it became clear: not everything can be objectively compared or measured. How do you assess one square metre of land use compared to one kilogram of CO₂ in the atmosphere? Or how do you measure social factors? That sparked my interest in taking a more interdisciplinary view of sustainability. I find it particularly fascinating to make complex relationships tangible and assign them real value – for example, the CO₂ emissions from driving a car or eating meat.

What are your current priorities?

On the one hand, I’m focusing on what we can measure and directly influence. On the other, it’s about communicating honestly what we’re not able to achieve. A goal like “climate neutrality by 2030” sounds great, but it’s often unrealistic – especially when relying on few offsetting measures. We need to be open about that. I advocate for more transparency.

That’s why it’s all the more important to identify where we at the UDE have influence – in administration, research, or teaching – and then develop viable options for action.

Where do you see the greatest levers for change?

We are educating the decision-makers of tomorrow – that’s a huge lever. Especially in teacher training, with education for sustainable development (ESD), there is great potential. We can make a real difference here, and we should use that. Embedding sustainability in education can have a long-lasting impact.

Beyond education, everyday decisions matter most – in procurement, digitalisation, or energy consumption.

In addition to economic and ecological aspects, the social pillar of sustainability is also essential. This includes issues such as equal opportunities, social justice, health, secure jobs, and participation for everyone – regardless of gender, origin, or social background. The UDE is already strong in this area. That should be recognised – without needing to explicitly label it “sustainable”.

What does sustainability in the context of a university mean to you?

If we set aside knowledge generation and education, you could say: the aim is to leave as little (negative) trace as possible – a “no trace university”. Of course, it’s complex and there are exceptions, particularly in research or teaching. What matters is acting reflectively and based on facts. Energy-intensive research, for example, can still be sustainable in its aim (such as in the energy transition), even if it isn’t formally so.

Ultimately, our goal should always be to empower young people to live more environmentally conscious and resource-efficient lives – and to use our research to help drive the shift away from a linear economy and towards a true circular economy. That’s how we can significantly reduce climate-relevant emissions.

You’re working with an “impulse group” at UDE. What does that look like?

The group is a mixed one – students, academic staff, and administrative staff. Together we are evaluating the results of the Sustainability Days and developing initial topic areas for the strategy. It’s about developing ideas together and taking a broad approach, not pushing through my own opinions. Later it will be about implementation, structures, and prioritisation. The group will then be expanded and complemented by additional stakeholders. At the same time, the first outcomes will be discussed and refined with members of the UDE and both internal and external stakeholders.

And on a personal level – do you live sustainably?

I try my best, of course. I repair old appliances, pay attention to what I consume, and often eat vegan consciously. It’s not about perfection, but reflection: Do I really need this? How was it produced? Or – might someone else be able to use it?

What would you like from members of the UDE, no matter their role?

Trust. That we’re given the chance to do better now. Because: we’re on a new path. And a little more awareness in everyday life. We’re more than 40,000 people – every single person can make a difference. And if 40,000 people at the university act consciously, that has real impact.

Interview by Janina Balzer