RE:Start: The University of Kassel opens the Green Office

Universities are currently expected to take on a pioneering role on the path to sustainable development. Sustainability issues should not only be increasingly addressed in research and teaching, but should also be applied in day-to-day university operations. The University of Kassel can build on its many years of successful environmental profile development.

The university has now set up a Green Office to drive the initiated process forward. It was officially opened on 6 July 2022 by the Chancellor of the University of Kassel, Dr Oliver Fromm, as a central contact, organization, networking and coordination point for all areas and for all members of the university. The premises are located in the former AStA offices at Nora-Platiel-Straße 2 on the Holländischer Platz campus. Five employees will work there to promote the sustainable development of operational processes as a cross-departmental and cross-institutional task. The team bases its work on guidelines for sustainable development at the university. The main focus is on improving environmental performance and steering measures that help to promote commitment within the university in terms of a sustainable organizational culture. It is also about increasing transparency, improving communication and participation in the development process. 

The sustainability guidelines for the operation of the University of Kassel support the sustainability strategy in the sense that the protection of nature and the environment is seen as an important task in all decisions and activities. In addition, the environmental awareness of university members is promoted by giving high priority to ecological aspects. As fundamental changes can only be made together, the Green Office pursues a participatory approach that relies on the involvement of everyone: Interested students and staff can get involved in sustainable campus development through many participation formats and contribute directly to the sustainability process. 

Dr. Oliver Fromm, Chancellor of the University of Kassel, emphasized: "It should be emphasized that the Green Office pursues a participatory approach that involves all university stakeholders and areas in the development process and relies on the commitment of everyone."

The Green Office is part of Re:Start. As part of the innovation and structural development budget (2021 to 2025), the HMWK is funding six projects at the University of Kassel on the topic of sustainability with a total funding volume of 1.75 million euros. In addition to the Green Office, these include measures to influence user behavior, sustainable transport at the University of Kassel (concept and measures for sustainable mobility and logistics), climate adaptation measures for sustainable open space management, an energy master plan for CO2 neutrality and energy optimization in plant operation.

Opening hours of the Green Office:

Tues. to Thurs. 9:00 to 12:00
and by appointment at: greenoffice[at]uni-kassel[dot]de or Tel.: 0561 804-2519
(Nora-Platiel-Str.2, Room 0104 A)
Open to all students and staff.
 

Contact:
Nadine Chrubasik
Sustainability Manager, Integrated Sustainability Management in Operations
Tel.: 0561 804-2519
Email: chrubasik[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Georg Mösbauer
Head of Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Group
Representative for Occupational Safety, Health, Environmental Protection and Sustainability in the Company (AGUN)
Tel.: 0561 804-3811
Email: moesbauer[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Website: www.uni-kassel.de/go/greenoffice