Through the survey ‘Together for greater climate protection’, THWS gathered ideas directly from the THWS community. The proposals submitted have resulted in 18 key measures.
Published on 14 August 2026
Climate protection, as is clear, is a joint endeavour – after all, little can be achieved alone. And such a collective endeavour thrives on the exchange of experiences and ideas. The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) has taken up this fundamental principle by conducting an internal survey. Staff from administration, faculties and departments, as well as students, contributed their perspectives. From this, 18 specific measures were identified, which are now being implemented step by step. The initiative was coordinated by Katharina Falkenstein, Climate Protection Manager at THWS. She is part of the Department of Sustainability and Property Management (HSNL) and is responsible for developing a climate protection strategy and implementing climate protection measures in collaboration with the THWS community.
Climate action as a process
Environmental protection at THWS is not a short-term project, but an ongoing process of development. With the overarching aim of becoming climate-neutral in certain areas by 2030, the University is pursuing a strategic approach. An assessment carried out over the past two years identified challenges and provided reliable data on resource consumption. This formed the basis for identifying key areas of emissions, prioritising measures, and making their effectiveness measurable. This process was supplemented by a survey of the THWS community. “Precisely because we are a large university community, it is not enough to speak to individual people. Measures can only be successfully implemented later on if acceptance is established right from the start,” emphasises Katharina Falkenstein.
The survey was carried out in the summer of 2025 over a period of around two months. The aim was to enable as many students and staff at THWS as possible to take part in an accessible manner. In terms of content, the survey focuses on nine key areas of action. These range from mobility and energy use to IT infrastructure, as well as research and teaching.
Everyday life meets climate action
Some of the proposals submitted arose from everyday experiences and address precisely those areas where climate-related decisions have a direct impact on day-to-day university life. This is also evident from the suggestions put forward by Alexander Pfarr, IT Governance Officer with the Department if Digitalisation. “In my day-to-day work, I have repeatedly noticed things that could be optimised both environmentally and economically,” he says, explaining his motivation.
His ideas demonstrate just how diverse the approach to climate-neutral development can be. These include relatively simple technical adjustments such as motion sensors for corridor lighting, demand-based control of displays on lecture room doors, and the use of desk lamps to reduce the need for general room lighting. In addition, Pfarr also proposed structural measures, such as making greater use of e-bike hire schemes for travel between sites in order to reduce inner-city car traffic. His suggestions also included the more consistent reuse of office supplies within departments and the introduction of mandatory sustainability criteria for new purchases.
At the same time, Pfarr believes that universities have a responsibility to do more than simply implement climate protection measures at an operational level. “Teaching is a crucial lever because that is where we reach the next generation – sustainability should be taught across all disciplines,” he says. In his view, mandatory sustainability content is essential for embedding climate protection as a natural part of professional practice. What begins in the everyday lives of individual staff members coalesced in the evaluation into an overarching picture of opinion, with location-specific differences. Whilst in Schweinfurt the focus was primarily on greening and soil conservation in the context of ongoing construction projects, in Würzburg – as was the case across all locations – the topic of mobility came to the fore. Discussions centred on improvements to cycling infrastructure – ranging from parking facilities to repair services. There were also numerous suggestions to further develop the ‘Jobticket’ scheme to make local public transport more attractive. Closely linked to this was the desire to further expand existing home-working arrangements in order to reduce commuting, as well as heating and space requirements. Furthermore, a need for regular and, above all, transparent reporting became clear.
From 77 proposals to 18 key measures
The proposals received as part of the consultation were consolidated into 77 proposed measures and supplemented by accompanying analyses. From these, THWS defined 18 key measures that form the strategic backbone of the proposed climate protection strategy. One focus is on the University’s properties. In future, construction and refurbishment projects are to be assessed using a checklist and designed to be more sustainable. In addition, a building register with an energy refurbishment roadmap is planned to strategically prioritise refurbishment needs. The expansion of photovoltaic systems will also be pursued, with a view to identifying further potential sites and funding opportunities.
In parallel, several initiatives are addressing energy and resource consumption. These include the introduction of an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001, a digital consumption analysis in a pilot building, and water savings through modern sanitary technology. In addition, the introduction of a standardised waste separation system at all sites is being considered. Transport also plays a key role: a mobility concept is designed to promote sustainable alternatives and will be supported by a mobility forum to facilitate discussion. At the same time, a phased modernisation of the vehicle fleet using climate-friendly drive technologies is planned.
However, organisational and structural changes are also becoming increasingly important. Among other things, plans include making more efficient use of administrative and teaching spaces in order to reduce energy consumption. At the same time, procurement processes are to be further developed with a view to introducing binding sustainability criteria in future . In addition, a roadmap is planned to strengthen the circular economy, for example to ensure the reuse of IT hardware. Furthermore, several measures focus on transparency and knowledge transfer. Plans include annual climate reports to monitor progress, the strengthening of student climate protection projects in collaboration with regional partners, and the continuation of participatory initiatives to raise awareness amongst the THWS community. An interdisciplinary learning programme on sustainability is also to be embedded in teaching in the long term. The catalogue of measures is rounded off by a mentoring scheme through which the climate protection management team shares its experience with other universities and local authorities.
Participation makes a difference
The survey does not mark the end, but rather the start of an ongoing process. To encourage further involvement, a digital idea whiteboard has been set up, which will continue to provide a space for new ideas in the future. In addition, a dedicated e-mail inbox is available for suggestions. As Katharina Falkenstein emphasises: “Sustainability is particularly fun when it is practised together. If we are bold and tackle things together, solutions often emerge much more easily than initially thought.”
Ways to get involved
To continue to give students and staff the opportunity to put forward suggestions, a digital idea whiteboard has been set up where proposals can be posted. Ideas and additions are also welcome via e-mail.
E-mail: nachhaltigkeit.hsnl[at]thws.de
This article was written as part of the master's programme in Trade Journalism and Corporate Communication.
