Forum on the Sustainability Strategy on 11 May
Strengthening Sustainability at UDE
- 29.04.2026
More green spaces on campus, more energy-efficient buildings, new ideas for sustainable teaching or research – how can the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) become more sustainable? At the Sustainability Forum on 11 May, all members of the university are invited to contribute their own ideas and help shape the future of the institution. In this interview, Dr Sebastian Schmuck, Sustainability Manager at UDE, offers some initial insights.
Dr Schmuck, where does UDE stand on sustainability, and where has it come from?
We have been working on sustainability for a long time and have had many individual initiatives and projects. In the earlier sustainability process, essential foundations were established, such as initial analyses, measures and the first sustainability report. However, it also became clear how complex the topic is: many stakeholders, different responsibilities and often financial issues, which have been further intensified by the necessary consolidation measures. As a result, some developments have progressed more slowly than we would have liked.
And where are we today? Is there now a clear strategy?
Yes and no. We now have a strategic framework that can provide direction and bring together the various thematic areas. However, specific goals and measures have not yet been finalised. We deliberately want to take this crucial step together with the university community.
What can university members expect at the Sustainability Forum on 11 May?
The forum is explicitly designed as a participatory format. Across various thematic areas – such as campus operations, teaching, research or knowledge transfer – we aim to jointly discuss concrete goals and measures. These may include very different things: from visible changes on campus to small but effective behavioural changes in everyday life – for example in laboratory operations, where consistently closing fume cupboards can already save energy. It is important to us that everyone can engage on an equal footing. The aim is not to present a finished strategy, but to develop and refine it together based on the themed sessions.
Where should UDE be heading in the coming years – what is the overarching goal?
The overarching goal is clear: in the long term, we must reach net-zero emissions while not neglecting other sustainability issues. At the same time, the path to get there is complex and cannot be managed through a single key indicator. It is about becoming more sustainable across all areas, improving processes and acting responsibly. What matters most is that we take this journey together – step by step, but with determination.
Further information:
The Sustainability Strategy Forum, under the motto “Our University, Our Future”, will take place on 11 May in Mülheim. Registration is open until 5 May via the following link: https://indico.cvis.uni-due.de/event/45/
Date: 11 May 2026
Time: 9:30 am – 2:45 pm
Venue: Hochschule Ruhr-West, Campus MH Parkstadt, Wissollstr. 19, 45478 Mülheim
Getting there: Tram line 901, stop “Speldorf Bahnhof” (10-minute walk). By car: parking is available on campus.
The event will be held in German.