Understanding and living sustainability

But what does sustainability mean in practice? Is it an ideology that remains abstract, or a practical approach that everyone can implement? Professor Dr. Matthias Schicktanz, who holds a professorship for sustainable energy systems at the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), explains: "In general usage, sustainability is more of a term we use to say that we want to look at an issue in a comprehensive and future-oriented way."

Ecological sustainability: the basis of our lives

The ecological dimension of sustainability means using resources consciously and protecting the climate. There is a lot we can do in our everyday lives to reduce our ecological footprint. One simple option is to switch to a renewable energy provider. Professor Dr. Schicktanz advises people to take a close look at the issue: "Do I already have a renewable energy supplier? How do I heat my buildings?" Questions like these help us to think about sustainable alternatives – whether through the use of solar energy, for example in the form of a balcony power plant, or through more efficient heating systems such as heat pumps.

In addition to energy supply, there are other small changes that can make a difference. Avoiding single-use plastics is one example. Instead of plastic bottles or bags, you can simply use reusable glass bottles and cloth bags. There are also many alternatives when it comes to shopping: unpackaged shops or buying products without (much) packaging help to reduce waste.

Economic sustainability: efficiency and fairness

Economic sustainability is closely linked to resource use. Its focus is not solely on maximising profits – rather, it is about ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of the environment or social justice. For THWS, this means, for example, promoting projects that support resource-efficient technologies and the circular economy. What sounds exclusively positive at first glance is viewed critically by Professor Dr. Felipe Cerdas, Professor of Circular Economy and Life Cycle Assessment at the Faculty of Business and Engineering at THWS: "As a rule, we should not forget that sustainability is multidimensional, and this alone means that we will repeatedly be confronted with contradictions."

One example of this is lithium batteries, which are crucial to the energy transition as they are used in electric vehicles and for storing renewable energy. They make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting a more sustainable energy supply. However, they also incur considerable environmental and social costs. The extraction of lithium requires large amounts of water, which leads to the depletion of local water sources and thus has a negative impact on agriculture.

Professor Dr. Cerdas also emphasises the role of communication in the discourse on sustainability and the climate crisis: "I think we should give more thought to the way we talk and report on the climate crisis." This is because the way we communicate has a significant influence on how the challenges are perceived. "I think the media play a very important role here, because they make certain relevant aspects visible, but also invisible," explains Professor Dr. Cerdas.

Social sustainability: responsibility and justice

The social dimension of sustainability focuses on the responsibility that the behaviour of individuals and companies entails on a global level. Professor Dr. Hannah Reich, professor at the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences at THWS, describes it as follows: "Our behaviour and consumption have an impact, for example in Bangladesh." This is because a large proportion of our clothing is manufactured there. Our daily actions are closely linked to the living conditions of people in other parts of the world. Professor Dr. Reich emphasises that it is not a question of condemning ourselves for our own consumption of resources, but of recognising that each and every one of us can make a difference by making conscious decisions. "My suggestion would be to start with yourself and take responsibility for yourself. It's about developing an appreciation and gratitude for life," she explains. Attitude is an important step towards a sustainable lifestyle that has a positive impact not only on the environment but also on the social fabric.