Green Energy & Mobility: Achieving More Together

As the School of Business and Economics, we are committed to making campus life as sustainable as possible. We actively support the University of Münster’s initiatives to save energy and resources and promote sustainable mobility, celebrating shared successes such as a 30% reduction in heating consumption and a 25% reduction in water consumption since 2000. The following measures represent just a portion of the university’s sustainability activities. A comprehensive overview can be found [here].

Green Energy

  • Green electricity and renewable energy: Since 2009, the university has sourced electricity exclusively from renewable energy providers. Selected buildings are equipped with photovoltaic (PV) systems. The university is currently exploring, in coordination with the BLB, options for further PV expansion.
  • Energy management and monitoring: In 2008, the University of Münster established an energy management system aimed at gradually optimizing energy consumption, conserving resources, and reducing costs, while keeping user needs in focus. Comprehensive energy monitoring helps identify and implement data-driven energy-saving measures.
  • Centralized control instead of individual solutions: Long-standing building management systems enable centralized control of heating, cooling, and ventilation. For example, night setbacks are centrally programmed for each building, and intelligent sensors allow rapid response to low usage or unoccupied lecture halls. The university’s central heating plant (HKW) supplies heat to nearly all 200+ campus buildings. In 2004, the plant was converted from coal to gas, providing more efficient, low-maintenance, and space-saving centralized energy supply compared to individual building systems.

Green Mobility

  • Attractive job and semester tickets: Employees have access to a JobTicket, offering discounted public transport. Trainees can use an attractive AzubiAbo. Students receive a nationwide semester ticket valid across all local public transport in Germany, including trips to destinations such as Enschede (NL).
  • Provision of service and rental bicycles: The university offers 450 service bicycles for employees to use for work-related trips in a flexible and sustainable manner. Bikes can also be rented for one or multiple days for temporary use.
  • Expanding e-mobility: Over recent years, conventional vehicles have been gradually replaced by electric cars. Currently, six electric cars and one hybrid vehicle are in use. Since 2019, the university library (ULB) has employed an electric cargo bike for transport routes previously covered by a small van.
  • Environmental initiatives: Since 2018, the University of Münster has participated annually in the Bike to Work campaign, promoting both health and environmentally friendly mobility. In 2020, the university also joined the Stadtradeln initiative to advocate for increased cycling, climate protection, and improved quality of life.