Climate neutrality at the IU
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In the Paris Climate Agreement, the international community therefore agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. But this goal can only be obtained together.
The IU International University is committed to sustainability
As one of the innovation leaders in tertiary education, we, the IU International University, recognise our social responsibility. Just as committed as we are to laying the foundation for a successful future for our more than 30,000 students, we want to contribute to an environment worth living in for future generations.
With greatness comes responsibility.
"As the broadest private university for online studies in Germany, we consider climate protection to be our social responsibility. With our climate protection measures, IU aims to contribute to an environment worth living in for future generations. We know that we cannot change the world on our own, but we hope to inspire others to do the same. In the spirit of the 1.5 degree climate plan, we are therefore committed to a climate-neutral future."
Dr. Sven Schütt, IU International University Managing Director
OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT: NEUTRAL
Since 2020, we have therefore been studying, teaching and working in a climate-neutral way - as the first distance learning university worldwide. To this end, we have drawn up our greenhouse gas balance together with TÜV Süd in accordance with the international specification PAS 2060 - because every lecture room, every journey to campus and every e-mail cause CO2 emissions (Carbon Neutrality - Qualifying Explanatory Statemanet).
In order to compensate for these, we support three recognised climate protection projects:
1005 MW Wind Project India Orange Renewable Project
Working with the indigenous landowners, this project protects vital rainforest from deforestation in New Ireland, one of the poorest and most isolated areas of Papua New Guinea. It recovers the land‘s rich biodiversity and revitalises its natural carbon stocks.
Lacandón Forest for Life project
The project reduces the deforestation of the Sierra del Lacandon National Park within the Selva Maya Corridor, which contains the second most extensive tract of continuous tropical rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon. It controls illegal timber extraction and assures sustainable forest management.
Kariba Forest Protection Project
The Kariba Project protects forest areas on the southern shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe from deforestation and erosion, and builds sustainable economic structures such as ecotourism.
AVOID - REDUCE - COMPENSATE
In parallel, we have developed an action plan to reduce our emissions intensity, including switching to sustainable green energy. For us, climate and environmental protection means using natural resources sparingly, avoiding waste and protecting air, water and soil.
Tree donations for environmental protection
Together with our students, we want to make the world a little greener: That's why - in cooperation with the Treedom initiative - we plant a tree to offset CO2 for every fifth script that is not printed. All students who actively decide against a printed script receive a personal sponsorship for their tree, whose history they can follow online.
Sponsorships for bee pastures
In cooperation with the non-profit organisation Bienenweide e.V., we support the mission to protect the habitat of bees and other insects. With every fifth new enrolment at our university, we sponsor one square metre of bee pasture, which is planted with regional seed mixes to provide enough food for dying insect species.
CLIMATE AMBASSADOR
As a third pillar, climate protection and sustainability are incorporated into our teaching - be it through individual modules, seminar projects or entire research projects. In this way, we contribute to sustainable development and promote relevant skills and technological innovations.
Sustainability management
Modul B.A.
Tourism Management
Reforestation in Kenya
Seminar project, Dr. David Rempel
Sustainability in Hospitality
Research project, Prof. Dr. Willy Legrand
Top Climate Commitment Seal
Our efforts for environmental and climate protection have been awarded with the Top Climate Commitment seal. It marks companies with regard to aspects of past and current climate commitment as well as defined goals and plans for the future. For our future. The future that belongs to all of us and which we therefore all actively help to shape as sustainably as possible. At IU, we study, teach and work in a climate-neutral way. In order to compensate for the CO2 emissions that are nevertheless partially caused, we support recognised climate protection projects. Our contribution to a future worth living in, in which we learn, develop and make progress. Top climate, top environment, top future. We take responsibility for this.
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