Climate-conscious and sustainable: Germany's largest university leads by example
IU ANCHORS ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
IU was again certified by TÜV SÜD and pursues sustainability in all areas of the company.
- Germany's largest university again certified by TÜV SÜD
- IU's goal: more educational equity with fewer CO2 emissions
- IU publishes all measures and initiatives in an ESG report for the first time
Erfurt, 26 January 2023. As Germany's largest university with over 100,000 students and more than 3,000 employees, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is committed not only to teaching sustainability in an interdisciplinary way in all faculties, but also to making a very concrete contribution: for the environment, for its students and employees, for society as well as in its corporate management.
For Dr. Sven Schütt, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences, IU's social responsibility is of central importance: "Our vision is to provide access to education for as many people as possible. To achieve this, we are sustainably reducing access barriers and creating more educational equity for people worldwide. Although our student numbers have risen continuously in recent years, we have been able to further reduce our emissions per student. Nevertheless, we remain committed to both carefully managing and further reducing our ecological footprint and continuously increasing our contribution to society. As Germany's largest university, we want to set a good example."
TÜV SÜD certified: IU is climate neutral
In 2020, IU became one of the world's first climate-neutral distance learning universities. TÜV SÜD now reconfirms the climate neutrality of IU International University of Applied Sciences. The certification is for the third year in a row. The conditions for certification include an inventory of actual and expected emissions, proof of ambitious measures to gradually reduce avoidable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the promotion of recognised climate protection projects to offset unavoidable emissions.
Despite rapidly growing student numbers, IU reduced its total direct and indirect emissions in 2021 by 31 percent compared to the previous year. In addition, the university was able to reduce its specific GHG emissions per student by 24 percent. The carbon footprint was calculated by the Institute for Energy, Ecology and Economics (DFGE) based on the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
The majority of students at IU learn in a distance learning model thanks to innovative digital learning formats. This can significantly reduce CO2 emissions that would be caused by commuting, for example. According to research, teaching a distance learning student at IU generates significantly less greenhouse gases than teaching a regular campus student.
Moreover, energy officers are deployed at all IU locations in Germany, which are currently more than 30. They check the individual circumstances as well as the consumption on site and establish resource-saving measures. In addition, IU offsets its carbon footprint in cooperation with ClimatePartner Deutschland GmbH by supporting certified climate projects. These include the expansion of wind energy in Brazil, the generation of hydropower in Laos and access to clean water in Mozambique.
Creating sustainability through education - for all
Apart from reducing CO2, IU places particular emphasis on education when it comes to sustainability. Education enables people to develop and live sustainably. In addition to individual learning modules, IU offers entire degree programmes such as Sustainable Management, which equip today's students with knowledge and methods for a viable future.
To provide access to education for more and more people worldwide, IU initiates important alliances. The Study Access Alliance, for example, provides 100,000 scholarships in Africa. As a member of the UNESCO Global Education Coalition, students in need in crisis situations receive crucial educational support at IU. Numerous scholarship models (e.g., for people from poorer countries, single parents and people with disabilities), fair admission requirements and inclusion-friendly study formats open up individual further education opportunities for additional target groups - and thus the basis for a self-determined, sustainable life.
Further information on sustainability at IU International University of Applied Sciences can be found both in IU's first official ESG report (download here) and at the following link: www.iu.de/ueber-uns/nachhaltigkeit/
More information on IU's certified climate projects can be found here at this link.
More information on the TÜV SÜD certificate can be found here under this link.
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
