Sustainability @CU
In light of current challenges, the issue of sustainability has come even more into the public spotlight. For us as a university, responsible thinking and action, combined with goals for sustainable development, form an important foundation. In addition to its core tasks of teaching and research, a university has a third central mission: to have a sustainable impact on society. While this “Third Mission” was viewed in the past as an additional task for universities, it is increasingly evolving into the “First Mission,” which also guides the university’s academic and research activities.
From this perspective and in light of this development, it follows logically that for CU Carinthia University, the topics of sustainability, the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as environmental management and the university’s related activities and measures, hold central importance and must be continuously strengthened.
To ensure that the concept of sustainability is integrated into all areas of the institution, we have established two points of contact – Sustainability Officer Manuela Seebacher and Environmental Officer Karl-Heinz Huber – to further advance the vision of a modern and environmentally conscious higher education system. We welcome ideas and suggestions on these topics.
UN Global Compact Network Austria
Since October 2024, CU Carinthia University has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest and most important initiative for responsible business conduct. The vision of the UN Global Compact is an inclusive and sustainable global economy based on the 10 universal principles.
The goal of this global movement – comprising business, politics, and civil society – is to make globalization more socially and environmentally responsible. The central elements of the UN Global Compact are the 10 universal principles and support for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Global Compact Network Austria supports companies and organizations in aligning their strategies and activities with the Sustainable Development Goals and the vision of the UN Global Compact.
Felix Krainer and his platform, Planet Matters, organize regular environmental protection initiatives on the Villach campus. Felix Krainer uses the social media platform to call on people worldwide to pick up trash. His “Planet Matters” account is the second-largest environmental channel on TikTok.
EMAS Certification
One of our strategic projects is the certification of our environmental management system under EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), which governs how we address direct and indirect environmental aspects on our campuses.
The system contributes to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and plays a key role in the continuous improvement of our environmental performance. CU Carinthia University received certification in December 2021 and is thus officially listed in the EMAS Register.
Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA)
CU Carinthia University has become the first university in Austria to sign a cooperation agreement with the renowned Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA) for 2022. The CCCA serves as a network coordinator and spokesperson for Austrian climate and climate impact research, as well as a point of contact for climate change issues. Founded in 2011, the CCCA is the go-to resource for researchers, policymakers, the media and the general public on all matters related to climate research in Austria.
This new partnership is open to all researchers and faculty members at CU Carinthia University who are engaged in the field of climate change.
Alliance for Sustainable Universities
Global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity call for coordinated efforts across all sectors of society and a shift in values to contribute to sustainable development. CU Carinthia University, together with twelve other universities of applied sciences, has set itself the goal of jointly addressing the issue of sustainability in a holistic manner – incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals – and of pooling their activities. The founding of the “Alliance of Sustainable Universities” was formalized on October 7, 2021, with the signing of a charter at FH Campus Wien. Elisabeth Steiner (FH Campus Wien) was elected chairwoman of the association; her deputy is Regina Rowland (FH Burgenland).
Gallery
Green Roof: Initiator: Mag.arch. Stefan Breuer, Senior Researcher and Lecturer | Architecture Program | Social, Climate-, and Environmentally Conscious Renovation
Bee Flower Meadow: Initiator: Mag.a Tamara Pirker | Director of the Info Center at CU Carinthia University | Lady Adventurer
Contact
Mag.a Manuela Seebacher
Sustainability Officer
+43 5 90500 7002
nachhaltigkeit(at)cuas.at
Karl-Heinz Huber
Environmental Officer
+43 5 90500 7900
umweltmanagement(at)cuas.at