Sustainability Understanding and Strategy

In terms of the environment and society, sustainability is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, food insecurity and resource depletion threaten the societies around the world and intensify social disparities. Therefore, sustainability is a key cross-cutting theme that will shape our future research, education and innovations.

The university's approach to sustainability: value-based, future-oriented, and planetary

Academic discoveries give us the knowledge we need to make informed decisions in daily life. Making these decisions in the interests of sustainability is a value choice – comparable to a commitment to democracy or equal treatment for all people. At the University of Cologne, we understand sustainability as value-based, future-oriented and planetary: in all areas of our work, we strive to align our actions with the limits of our Earth. This alignment is essential for the well-being of all life on our planet, both now and in the future, particularly in regions that are under threat already today. Intact ecological foundations are essential for a socially just and liveable future. To fulfil our role in society, we at the University of Cologne are committed to future-oriented action while taking planetary responsibility.

The university's vision for sustainability: a shared culture of sustainability put into practice

At the University of Cologne, our guiding principle is the promotion of a shared culture of sustainability put into practice – to facilitate transformation. This culture is formed by using sustainability as a decisive value in our daily behaviour and interactions. Sustainability can only be realized through cooperation. This is the result of collaboration between all members of the university and our partners outside the University, whether in Cologne or elsewhere in the world. Sustainability put into practice is only possible if we embrace it collectively. We must take conscious action, day after day.

The mission: anchoring sustainability in all areas

The University of Cologne's mission is to integrate sustainability as a cross-cutting theme into all areas of activity: research, teaching and studies, knowledge transfer and social dialogue and in the organization and operation of the campus operations. The corresponding strategic goals as well as specific and overarching measures are outlined in a university-wide sustainability strategy.