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Climate protection concept of TU Dortmund University
TU Dortmund University is pursuing the goal of consistently making its campus and university operations more sustainable. With the climate protection concept, TU Dortmund University is presenting a strategic basis for systematically recording greenhouse gas emissions, reducing them in a targeted manner and strengthening sustainable structures in the long term. The aim is to make direct emissions from energy consumption and combustion processes (Scopes 1 and 2) virtually greenhouse gas-neutral by 2045. Across all emission areas (Scopes 1-3), TU Dortmund University is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to 75% by 2045 compared to the base year 2024. The concept analyzes the university's current energy and greenhouse gas balance, identifies key areas for action and shows specific development paths for more climate-friendly campus operations.
In 2024, TU Dortmund University generated around 46,000 tons of CO₂ equivalents, taking into account the national electricity mix. The largest sources of emissions are electricity and heat consumption as well as the mobility behavior of university members, in particular daily commuting. At the same time, significant reductions in emissions (approx. 28%) have already been achieved since 2019 - including through efficiency measures in building operation and user behavior as well as the switch to green electricity. Further information on this can also be found in the sustainability report in the section on greenhouse gas emissions.
The climate protection concept bundles a broad package of measures with which the university aims to further reduce its emissions. These include the expansion of renewable energies on campus - for example through photovoltaics and, in the future, a wind turbine -, the climate-friendly further development of the heat supply (including a wood pellet heating system), energy management and technical optimizations in building operation. This is supplemented by measures to promote sustainable mobility, for example by expanding mobility options in the environmental network, approaches to reduce business trips and improving the bicycle infrastructure. Topics such as sustainable procurement, digitalization, climate adaptation and sustainability in research and teaching are also part of the concept.
With this holistic approach, TU Dortmund University aims to further strengthen its role as a responsible and future-oriented university and make an active contribution to climate protection. The climate protection concept forms the strategic framework for the coming years and supports the transformation towards a greenhouse gas-neutral university.
TU Dortmund University's climate protection concept (in German) can be downloaded here:
Climate protection management
TU Dortmund University has set up a climate protection management team to organize a coordinated process and draw up the integrated climate protection concept.
The position for climate protection management is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety as part of the National Climate Initiative.
- Project title: KSI: Erstellung eines Klimaschutzkonzeptes für die TU Dortmund
- Duration: 06.2024 to 08.2026
- Funding reference: 67K23500
National Climate Initiative:
"With the National Climate Initiative (NKI), the Federal Government has been initiating and promoting numerous projects since 2008; which contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their programs and projects cover a broad spectrum of climate protection activities: From the development of long-term strategies to concrete assistance and investment-oriented funding measures. This diversity is a guarantee for good ideas. The National Climate Initiative helps to anchor climate protection locally. Consumers, as well as companies, municipalities, and educational institutions, benefit from it."
