Sustainability and climate protection

Seeking to promote responsible thinking and behaviour, the HWR Berlin integrates the consideration of sustainability in its teaching, learning and research in order to make a contribution to shaping global development in a sustainable fashion.

Contents:

  • Sustainability at the HWR Berlin
  • Teaching and learning for sustainability
  • Expertise for sustainability
  • Projects and measures for sustainability
  • Making a personal commitment to sustainability at the HWR Berlin
  • Networks for sustainability
  • Materials and resources

Sustainability at the HWR Berlin

The issue of sustainability has long been a matter of central concern to a sizeable number of individual members of the HWR Berlin research, teaching and administrative staff. Seeking to embed these individual efforts in the research teaching and operations of the HWR Berlin, the University Management moved in 2021 to draft and adopt the  “Willing, Able, Doing - Sustainability at HWR Berlin” strategy paper to provide comprehensive guidance on this important issue. The following year saw the establishment of sustainability as an independent area of responsibility of the HWR Berlin Executive Board.

The focus of HWR Berlin activities in this area currently rests on:

  • Controlling and communication
  • Teaching and learning
  • Operations and campus life
  • Transfer
  • Research

Download strategy paper »Willing, Able, Doing - Sustainability at HWR Berlin«

The imperative of sustainability poses a challenge to the HWR Berlin as a whole. A sense of responsibility towards nature and society acts as a guiding principle for the teaching, learning, research, management and operation of our institution.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Silke Bustamante, Vizepräsidentin der HWR Berlin für Nachhaltigkeit, Studierendenservice und Hochschulkommunikation. Foto: Oana Popa-Costea

Teaching and learning for sustainability

Transcending disciplinary boundaries, the issue of sustainability is pertinent to all the degree courses taught at the HWR Berlin. In addition to a range of optional and elective subjects related to sustainability, students at the HWR Berlin benefit from moves to expand existing degree programmes focussing on sustainability. Recent additions to our range of degree programmes include: 

Bachelor’s degree programme in International Sustainability Management

Bachelor’s degree programme in Business Engineering in Environmental Science

Master’s degree programme in Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance

Master’s degree programme in Sustainability and Quality Management

Master’s degree programme in Business Engineering - Energy and Natural Resources

Sustainability certificate at the HWR Berlin

Bachelor’s students in Departments 1 or 2 with an interest in sustainability can work to acquire a sustainability certificate at the HWR Berlin. This requires the completion of courses, voluntary work, work experience and/or a final thesis. Take the opportunity to become actively involved!

Students also have the opportunity to focus on sustainability in their final thesis. Suggested topics for final theses relating to sustainability are published here regularly. 

Expertise for sustainability

Many of our research, teaching and administrative staff are committed to anchoring the consideration of sustainability in the teaching and research of the HWR Berlin and its operations. Part of this expertise is pooled at the Institute for Sustainability (INa). 

Prof. Dr. Annett Baumast, Professur für Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

Department 1 Business and Economics

Annett Baumast // Business Administration with a focus on Sustainability Management

The research and teaching of Annett Baumast focus on sustainability management in the cultural and creative sector, inner development goals and sustainability reporting. She is currently involved in the Sustainable Theatre Lab research project.
Prof. Dr. Sabine Baumann, Vizepräsidentin

Department 1 Business and Economics

Sabine Baumann // digital business

Sabine Baumann conducts research into the use of AI technologies in promoting sustainability. She investigates the representation of climate change in computer games, develops the TRIBRID business model for sustainable value creation and deploys urban mining and digital twins to promote sustainable product use and production networks.

ZR Research Promotion and Management // Innovation Work Retreat

Mechthild Bonnen // Programme Manager M.A. International Security Management

The Zukunft findet Stadt transfer project runs multi-day workshops combining research into sustainability with a practice-based approach. Participants adopt a co-working approach to develop practice-orientated ideas on climate, sustainability and health promotion.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Tobias Börger, HWR Berlin

Department 1 Business and Economics

Prof. Tobias Börger // Economics with a focus on environmental, energy and resource economics

The research and teaching of Prof. Tobias Börger focus on the economic valuation of ecosystem services and natural capital. This involves the development and application of methods for assessing the social value of environmental quality and the recreational value of natural areas to support environmental policy decisions.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Silke Bustamante, HWR Berlin

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Prof. Silke Bustamante // business administration with a focus on corporate management

The research and teaching of Prof. Silke Bustamante focus on the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the impact of CSR and sustainability on corporate attractiveness. She also investigates the effectiveness of sustainability-related teaching and the measurement of carbon footprints in hospitals.
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Martina Eberl, HWR Berlin. Foto: privat

Department 1 Business and Economics

Prof. Martina Eberl // business administration with a focus on management and organization

The research interests of Prof. Martina Eberl include transformation and sustainable innovation and leadership in hybrid work settings; her teaching focuses on a number of issues including sustainable (digital) transformation.
Antje Hagen-Franz, Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Antje Hagen-Franz // member of the EMF Institute at the HWR Berlin

Antje Hagen-Franz is a member of the "SIC!" research project working to promote sustainability in SMEs; her teaching focuses on the area of key skills including project management. This gives students the opportunity to develop projects for the HWR Berlin with a focus on sustainability.
Prof.Dr. Karola Knauthe, Professur für Immobilienrecht mit den Schwerpunkten Immobilienwirtschaft und Immobiliensteuerrecht, Öffentliches Immobilienrecht

Department 4 Administration of Justice

Karola Knauthe // Real estate law with a focus on the real estate industry and real estate tax law, public real estate law

Karola Knauthe researches and teaches in the area of real estate law with a specialism in real estate management and real estate tax law, public real estate law and sustainability in property law with a particular focus on the context of the EU Buildings Directive and (new) national laws.
[Translate to English:] Dipl.-Ing. Nikolai Kononenko, HWR Berlin

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Nikolai Kononenko (Dipl.-Ing.) // researcher in technical facility management

Nikolai Kononenko teaches in the area of sustainable building management, with a particular focus on the field of digital networking and building automation. He conducts research into the holistic, environmentally friendly and resource-saving supply of heating and cooling to buildings and urban neighbourhoods.
[Translate to English:] David Lübeck, HWR Berlin. Foto: privat

Department 1 Business and Economics

David Lübeck // part-time lecturer

David Lübeck conducts research into industrial policy with links to environmental goals and sustainability. He is a member of a research network for macroeconomic policy and sustainability (E-Axes Forum on Macroeconomics and Climate Change) and the Tönissteiner Kreis sustainability working group.

[Translate to English:] Martina Martinovic, HWR Berlin

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Martina Martinovic // researcher

The research interests of Martina Martinovic focus on responsible leadership, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability in higher education and sustainable consumption. She teaches in the area of social innovation.
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Andrea Pelzeter, HWR Berlin

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Prof. Andrea Pelzeter // business administration with a focus on facility management

Course director Facility Management: the research and teaching of Prof. Andrea Pelzeter focus on sustainability in the construction and operation of real estate with a particular focus on the carbon footprint of services.
[Translate to English:] Heike Prüße, HWR Berlin

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Heike Prüße // researcher

Heike Prüße conducts research into sustainability in the healthcare sector (current project: climate-neutral secondary processes in hospitals) and carbon footprint products and processes in a range of areas such as cleaning, food supply, waste management, change management and inter-organisational change processes.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Sandra Rochnowski, HWR Berlin. Foto: privat

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Prof. Sandra Rochnowski // business administration with a focus on tourism

The research and teaching of Prof. Sandra Rochnowski focus on the area of sustainable management in the hotel/tourism industry. She is responsible for the largest DACH survey on CSR in the hospitality industry from an employee perspective (www.busche-studie.de) and provides research support to the DEHOGA Federal Association for Climate, Energy and Sustainability.
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Andrea Rumler, HWR Berlin

Department 1 Business and Economics

Prof. Andrea Rumler // business administration with a focus on marketing

The research and teaching of Prof. Andrea Rumler focus on consumer perspectives on, and marketing communication for, sustainability issues. She completed the MieterstromPlus! Project in 2022, an investigation of how residential tenants can be motivated to purchase power from rooftop solar generation.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Eberhard Schmid, HWR Berlin

Department 1 Business and Economics

Prof. Eberhard Schmid // sustainable supply chain management

The research and teaching of Prof. Ebehard Schmid focus on the optimal design of supply chains from a sustainability perspective. He primarily uses quantitative decision-making methods from operations research and decision theory.
[Translate to English:] Simone Schnepf, HWR Berlin

Department 2 Cooperative Studies

Simone Schnepf // researcher in tourism

The research and teaching of Simone Schnepf focus on sustainable management / sustainable business strategies and the sustainable development of the tourism industry, with a particular specialization in the hospitality industry (hotels and catering) in the Berlin-Brandenburg area.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Uta Stäsche, HWR Berlin. Foto: Oana Popa-Costea

Department 3 Public Administration

Prof. Uta Stäsche // administrative procedural and process law, security and public order law and administrative law

The research and teaching of Prof. Uta Stäsche focuses on climate protection law and policy on a national, European and international level, with a particular specialization in the legal safeguarding of climate protection goals and their implementation within the framework of climate protection governance.
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Stephan Tomerius, HWR Berlin

Department 3 Public Administration

Prof. Stephan Tomerius // public law with a focus on administrative law

The research and teaching of Prof. Stephan Tomerius focus on strategies for, and the legal issues involved in, sustainable urban development; environmental and climate protection in municipal urban planning; municipal environmental policy; environmentally friendly/sustainable public procurement; circular economy law; sustainable land management policy; soil protection; and land-saving settlement development.
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Markus Wissen, HWR Berlin

Department 1 Business and Economics

Prof. Markus Wissen // social sciences with a focus on social-ecological transformation

Prof. Markus Wissen researches and teaches in the area of social relations to nature, imperial lifestyles and the socio-ecological transformation of mobility.
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Kerstin Wüstner, HWR Berlin

Department 3 Public Administration

Prof. Kerstin Wüstner // psychology

Prof. Kerstin Wüstner deals with a range of areas including risk perception and communication and the psychological prerequisites for, and limits of, sustainable behaviour.

Projects and measures for sustainability

The HWR Berlin has implemented a range of measures to bring greater sustainability since 2022. These include:

[Translate to English:] Zertifikatsprogramm „Nachhaltigkeit“ für Studierende an der HWR Berlin. Foto: Katja Schieritz

#01 Sustainability certificate

Do you value the issue of sustainability? Would you like to learn more about this important issue? Are you attending courses about or even planning to write your final thesis on an aspect of sustainability? The university management, the HWR Berlin the course planning department and many other HWR Berlin stakeholders have worked together to develop a sustainability certificate qualification for students. Further information is available here.

#02 Guidelines for the realization of sustainable events

If you are organizing an event and are looking for ways to minimize its carbon footprint – such as where to find reusable crockery and many other tips and tricks – this guide tells you everything you need to know in order to establish it on a sustainable foundation. It provides contacts for further information and services and is subject to continuous update.
[Translate to English:] Nachhaltige Give-aways an der HWR Berlin. Foto: Katja Schieritz

#03 Sustainable giveaways

Maybe you have already noticed that the HWR Berlin has been organizing sustainable giveaways over recent months. One example includes the provision of flower seed bombs to an event working to raise biodiversity in urban areas. Important criteria when selecting giveaways include sustainable materials and production methods.

[Translate to English:] Nachhaltigkeit: Öklogischer Blühgarten an der HWR Berlin. Foto: Oana Popa-Costea

#04 Organic flower garden

The HWR Berlin flower garden on the Schöneberg Campus is blooming and humming. Why not come by and take a look? You can also get involved through the General Studies programme and a number of project workshops. Current events are listed here.
[Translate to English:] Wettbewerb "Nachhaltiger Campus" an der HWR Berlin. Foto: Lukas Schramm

#05 Ideas campaign

With this ideas campaign, we would like to gather your creative suggestions for reducing the carbon footprint of our university. The aim is to further develop selected suggestions and incorporate them into the climate protection concept as measures for a climate-neutral university.
[Translate to English:] Partizipation: Nachhaltigkeitsworkshop an der HWR Berlin. Foto: Lukas Svhramm

#06 Participation structure

A sustainability council was established to strengthen sustainability at HWR Berlin. It is made up of all status groups at the university and makes recommendations to the university management. Interested parties can participate in working groups or attend meetings. Information is available by e-mail to nachhaltigkeit@hwr-berlin.de or via the Moodle course “Sustainability at HWR Berlin”.

[Translate to English:] Nachhaltigkeit: Preis für Abschlussarbeiten zum Thema Nachhaltigkeit. Foto: Katja Schieritz, HWR Berlin

#07 The Prize for outstanding final theses

The Institute for Sustainability at the HWR Berlin took the decision in 2023 to award an annual prize to outstanding final theses with a focus on sustainability. The prize will be awarded again in 2025, for which students are welcome to make a submission. An overview of the award-winning theses and information on the current competition is found here.
[Translate to English:] Nachhaltigkeit: ICE der Deutschen Bahn am winterlich verschneiten Bahnsteig. Foto: Foto: © m-1975/ Getty Images/ iStockphoto

#08 Business travel policy

How can the HWR Berlin incentivize sustainable travel? How can we adapt our guidelines to encourage sustainable business travel? The HWR Berlin is currently working to update our business travel policy to make it fit for the 21st century.

[Translate to English:] Nachhaltigkeit: HWR Berlin Mitglied in Netzwerken für Nachhaltigkeit. Foto: Lukas Schramm

#09 Networks

The HWR Berlin seeks to network not just with other institutions of higher education but also companies and political organizations to share ideas and gain inspiration for our efforts to work towards a sustainable campus. We are active in the Certificates Network, the Berlin Universities Mobility Working Group, the Sustainability and Environment Network at Universities and Research Institutions in the Eastern Region and the German Society for Sustainability at Universities.

[Translate to English:] Nachhaltigkeit: Nudging-Konzept der HWR Berlin. Foto: © Dimiraira/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

#10 The HWR Berlin nudge concept

Summer semester 2023 saw the HWR Berlin organize a range of small scale nudge competitions on social media. It sought the best ideas on how we can all work together to implement a number of small measures that taken together, make a big difference. Here are the most popular ideas, which will be summarized in a nudge concept.

Making a personal commitment to sustainability at the HWR Berlin

More than just separating waste: what can you do yourself to promote sustainability and sustainable behaviour at the HWR Berlin? 

Mit vereinten Kräften engagieren für mehr Nachhaltigkeit an der HWR Berlin. Foto: © fotogaby/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

Joining forces for more sustainability at the HWR Berlin. Photograph: © fotogaby/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

Would you like to play your part in promoting sustainability at the HWR Berlin? Take part in workshops and attend regular meetings on the topic of sustainability. Register for the Sustainability at HWR Berlin course on Moodle or contact: nachhaltigkeit(at)hwr-berlin.de.

Making a commitment to sustainability outside the HWR Berlin

Whether driving to class, flying on holiday or streaming your favourite series, everything we do has a carbon footprint. If you want to play your part in tackling the greenhouse effect, a good first step is to calculate your CO2 emissions using the WWF climate calculator. We also provide a range of practical advice on saving CO2:

[Translate to English:] Klimafreundlich zum Campus: Umsteigen auf den öffentlichen Nahverkehr oder das Fahrrad. Foto: © querbeet/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

01 Climate-friendly travel

Save 700 kg of CO2 by cycling to campus

You can reduce your carbon footprint by changing the way you travel, even when making short journeys.
[Translate to English:] Weniger heizen und im Winter den Thermostat der Heizung runterdrehen. Foto: © Patrick Daxenbichler/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

02 Heat less in winter

Save 160 kg of CO2 per year by lowering the temperature by one degree

Reconsider your heating choices Reducing the temperature of your 70 square metre flat from 21 to 20 degrees will save € 40 and 160 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year.

[Translate to English:] Saubere Hände, auch wenn Sie kaltes Wasser verwenden. Foto: © JAY YUNO PHOTOGRAPHY/Getty Images/E+

03 Wash your hands cold water

Save up to 177 kg of CO2 per year

Washing your hands in water heated to around 40 degrees causes the emission of 14 grams of carbon dioxide per wash.
[Translate to English:] Durch das Verwenden von nachhaltigen Suchmaschinen Bäume pflanzen und CO2 binden. Foto: © andreswd/ E+/ Getty Images

04 Plant trees and bind CO2 with Ecosia

Reduce your digital carbon footprint

Using the internet to research for your next written assignment or to stream a documentary can cause a considerable carbon footprint.
[Translate to English:] Einfach mal abschalten und CO2 sparen: Mit einer einfachen Mehrfachsteckdosenleiste mit praktischem Ein- und Ausschalter. Foto: © ollo/iStock/Getty Images Plus

05 Avoid standby

Switch off five electrical appliances to save 28.5 kg of CO2 per year

Bye, bye, standby: just five appliances on standby generate 28.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year, unless you use green electricity.
[Translate to English:] Etwa 21 Gramm Kohlendioxid sparen Sie ein, wenn Sie einen Mehrweg- statt eines Einwegbechers verwenden. Foto: © Yagi-Studio/iStock/Getty Images Plus

06 Reusable instead of disposable

Save 7.7 kg of CO2 per year with reusable cups

Making the change from paper to reusable can save some 7.7 kg of carbon dioxide every year.

[Translate to English:] Wenn Sie bei Ihrer Ernährung auf Fleisch und andere tierische Produkte verzichten, sinken Ihre Treibhausgasemissionen um circa 48 Prozent. Foto: © vaaseenaa/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

07 Climate-friendly eating

A vegan diet can save almost 50 % greenhouse gases.

Eat more healthily: cutting out meat and animal products from your diet will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by around 48 %.
[Translate to English:] Gesund und umweltschonend: Treppensteigen trainiert unter anderem Ihr Herz-Kreislaufsystem, Ihre Bein- und Gesäßmuskulatur und beugt Bluthochdruck vor. Foto: © hyejin kang/ iStock / Getty Images Plus

08 Take the stairs instead of a lift

Save 5.2 kg of CO2 a year by climbing the stairs

Using a lift five days out of seven will produce 100 grams of carbon dioxide per week.
[Translate to English:] Wenn Sie Leitungswasser statt Mineralwasser aus Flaschen trinken, sparen Sie 507,35 Euro im Jahr. Foto: © VVargas/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus

09 Make the change from mineral water to tap water

Save 148 kg of CO2 by drinking tap water

Those who drink two litres of water a day will save € 507.35 a year by switching from bottled to tap water.

Networks for sustainability

The HWR Berlin is a member of a number of networks focussed on the achievement of sustainability:

Materials and resources

The HWR Berlin has compiled resources to facilitate the integration of sustainability into teaching and university operations.

The Institute for Sustainability provides an overview of the materials available to support the integration of sustainability into university operations and teaching. The HWR Berlin works to advance the integration of a consideration of sustainability in its teaching in order to impart knowledge about this important issue and provide training in critical and creative thinking and transformation skills.

Navigate to the overview of materials and resources

This could also be of interest:

Diversity − we need everybody

The HWR Berlin mission statement

Research at the HWR Berlin

Do you have any questions or suggestions on the topic of sustainability?

Christina Druffel
Coordinator for Sustainability

T +49 30 30877-2407

Prof. Dr. Silke Bustamante
Vice President

T +49 30 30877-1003

[Translate to English:] Institut für Nachhaltigkeit der HWR Berlin. Foto: Getty Images

Institute for Sustainability

The Institute for sustainability (INa) at HWR Berlin conducts research in a number of fields and develops strategies to contribute to the development of a sustainable economy and way of life.
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