Sustainability

KlimaPlanReal - Sustainable transformation paths to climate neutrality via planning cells and real-world laboratories

Launched in October 2022, the project aims to assist higher education institutions in Saxony-Anhalt on their journey towards climate neutrality . In detail, this means that through the use of planning cells and real labs we are exploring sustainable transformation pathways towards climate neutrality. A total of five universities are embarking on this journey together. Apart from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (network coordination), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and Harz University of Applied Sciences are on board.

With a focus on climate neutrality in the university organization, the project seeks to examine both transformational and transformative processes. In the project’s first phase, University Climate Councils (Hochschulklimaräte)featuring a range of representatives from across the university will be initiated. These are modelled along the lines of the planning cell concept. Supported by experts (advisory boards) who will provide topic-specific input, these councils will aim to develop recommendations for actions to achieve climate neutrality.

In the following two project phases, recommendations will be implemented at the individual universities in initial pilot projects. Interdisciplinary and cross-administrative transformation teams accompany this process. Transfer laboratories, based on the real-world laboratory approach, will provide the setting for this.

The entire process will be evaluated across universities, thus enabling assessment of obstacles and potentials for both the transformation as well as transformative process. At the end of the project, blueprints for other universities will be derived from the findings and made available in a digital best-practices report.

Further information about the project can be found on the project website of the OVGU Magdeburg. https://www.klimaplanreal.ovgu.de/en/

Status Quo Analysis

In preparation for the University Climate Council and the Climate Plan, the project team developed a qualitative analysis of climate protection measures at Anhalt University. This describes cross-thematic processes as well as concrete measures and research projects in the areas of regenerative campus, sustainable commuting and business mobility as well as sustainable nutrition and procurement.

University Climate Councils

The University Climate Councils (Hochschulklimaräte) will develop – in conjunction with experts – specific action recommendations for achieving climate neutrality at each university. The following topics will receive particular attention: Commuting and business travel mobility, regenerative campus design (including energy efficiency, biodiversity), and nutrition and procurement. The event is expected to last 2 days and will be held in the summer semester of 2023.

A special feature of this committee is that it is not created by election or appointment, instead participants are drawn by lots. Here, the concept of citizens' assemblies serves as a model, in which members are randomly selected to collaborate in coming up with solutions. The idea underlying this strategy is that the committee will represent a variety of opinions and thus any agreements reached will be broadly accepted by the majority. The process of forming such university climate councils is supported by the project’s scientific advisory board. In this particular case, the concept has been amended by a new feature: Students will make up half of the councils and will thus receive equal representation. Following a transparent and consistent procedure and accompanied by professional process control of the university climate councils, the recommendations for transformation measures will be published in a university-specific Climate Plan, including recommendations for action.