As part of Sustainability Weeks from 23 June to 5 July, which featured lectures, workshops and many other activities, Sustainability Day took place again on Thursday, 3 July. This year, the programme was divided into two parts: Starting at 1 p.m., the University of Passau and the Association of German Scientists (VDW) invited participants to the action day “Overcoming Boundaries”. This began with a keynote speech by the Honorary President of BUND Naturschutz and Chairman of the VDW, Prof. Dr. Hubert Weiger, on the topic of sustainable boundary overcoming. Students from a total of six interdisciplinary courses had already prepared their study projects throughout the 2025 summer semester and put the knowledge they had acquired to the test in a two-day excursion led by Prof. Weiger to the ‘Green Belt,’ the former ‘Iron Curtain’ between Western and Eastern Europe. Their results were then presented in a diverse poster exhibition as part of Sustainability Day.
This kick-off was followed by the official ceremony in the university's main lecture hall. In her welcome speech, Vice-President Prof. Dr. Bettina Noltenius welcomed the lively participation from all areas of the university and the city: ‘Your presence confirms our commitment to considering sustainability at all levels.’ In his welcoming address, Bavarian Minister of State for the Environment and Consumer Protection Thorsten Glauber emphasised, among other things, the importance of universities: Passau University is making a unique contribution here, not only with pioneering construction and research projects, but also, for example, by now offering a position for a voluntary ecological year – still a rarity at universities. It is important that universities lead the way in sustainability, that they explain and spread the ideas and involve local people. A university is particularly well suited as a breeding ground for sustainability: ‘Those who study and conduct research here today will decide on the important and extremely sustainable issues of tomorrow.’
Minister of State Thorsten Glauber and Vice President Prof. Dr. Werner Gamerith presented two sustainability awards: The ‘Prize for Sustainability-Related Research’ went to Philipp Danner from the Chair of Computer Science (Computer Networks and Communication), who has been supervising projects on renewable energies and energy systems since 2017 and is also committed to sustainable energy supply and e-mobility in his teaching and private life. The “Prize for Sustainability Activities on Campus” was awarded to the KulturtranspOrt initiative, which makes an important contribution to the sustainable and intercultural transformation of the University of Passau through projects such as raised beds to promote biodiversity, the campus experimental field and a wide range of social and cultural events. Maximilian Dederer, who was the first to complete the Voluntary Ecological Year at the University of Passau, also received a gift. After the award ceremony, the Honorary President of BUND Naturschutz and VDW Board Member Prof. Dr. Hubert Weiger discussed the topic of ‘Overcoming Boundaries’ and the experiences and results of the seminar series in a panel discussion with students.
The highlight of the event was a lecture by writer, historian and journalist Dr Philipp Blom on the relationship between humans and nature, entitled ‘Subdue the Earth – The Rise and Fall of an Idea’. Blom, who is known for his award-winning series ‘The Tumbling Continent’, among other things, is one of the leading voices in the sustainability debate. Eloquent and sensitive at the same time, Blom delivered a rhetorical masterpiece, captivating the audience for more than an hour with his free speech – a true declaration for sustainability, even in times of changing political conditions. ‘We can only adapt to nature, we cannot control it,’ was the conclusion of his lecture, which made a compelling case for a societal rethink and respect for science in dealing with nature, and highlighted Europe's strategic role in the world in the sustainable use of resources as a strong guiding principle.
Following the ceremony, the university hosted a standing reception where guests had the opportunity to take a closer look at the posters and seminar projects from the ‘Overcoming Boundaries’ series and talk to the students involved. In a relaxed atmosphere, the results achieved during the summer semester were discussed in depth and new ideas for further exchange on the topic of sustainability were gained.
On 20 June 2024, the University of Passau celebrated its ‘Sustainability Day’ in the Audimax. President Prof. Dr Ulrich Bartosch opened the event with a welcoming speech in which he emphasised the importance of the focus on sustainability and pledged to continue promoting it during his remaining term of office. He emphasised that climate protection should not be pushed into the background despite the current political crises.
The Bavarian State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, Thorsten Glauber, gave a virtual welcome address. He described sustainability as one of the greatest challenges of our time and emphasised the important role of universities in promoting sustainable ideas.
Prof Dr Werner Gamerith, Sustainability Officer at the University of Passau, also gave a welcoming address and presided over the award ceremonies.
The keynote speech entitled "The grounded society - Why sustainability needs a new policy for land and soil" was given by renowned journalist Christiane Grefe from DIE ZEIT.
Fabian Werner, Headmaster of the Passau State Agricultural College, gave a keynote speech on the topic of "Erosion and groundwater recharge in agriculture".
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the sustainability awards. The "Prize for Sustainability Activities on Campus" went to a group of students who founded the "Innwerk" association. This organisation actively campaigns against the throwaway society by sharing tools and repairing things together. Dr Paul Hamann-Rose was awarded the "Prize for Research with Sustainability Relevance". He specialises in the literary and cultural examination of ecology and human-environment relationships. Further information can be found on the Seite "Prizes".
The "Sustainability Day" 2024 was embedded in the "Sustainable Weeks", which took place at the University of Passau from 10 to 22 June. This two-week series of events offered a varied programme with lectures, workshops and discussion rounds on various aspects of sustainability.
The Day of Sustainability 2023 at the University of Passau took place on 22 June, framed by the ‘Sustainable Weeks’, which were held from 16 to 27 June. The festive event offered a diverse programme that highlighted the importance of sustainability for the university and society.
The Bavarian State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, Thorsten Glauber, sent a virtual message of greeting and emphasised the importance of the topic of sustainability. Renowned biologist and environmental activist Christine von Weizsäcker gave the keynote speech, in which she emphasised that sustainability requires courage and wisdom.
The presentation of the sustainability awards formed a central part of the event. In the category ‘Sustainability Activities on Campus’, the University Sustainability Group was honoured, represented by Laura Fuchs, Anna Baierl, Nina Neuleitner, Christina Bichlmeier, Elisa Buhr and Annika Stöwer. The ‘Prize for Sustainability-Related Research’ went to Stephan Geschwind, research assistant at the Chair of Economics. Both prizes were endowed with 1,500 euros each.
The musical accompaniment to the event was particularly impressive. The Earth Choir, consisting of 400 children from Passau primary schools, opened the day with a performance from 9 to 10 a.m. in Lecture Hall 1 of the Philosophicum. In the evening, the festive event was opened by children from Passau-Grubweg primary school with a song from the ‘Earth Kids Choir’ project. The song focused on courage and intelligence, which was taken up by keynote speaker Christine von Weizsäcker to emphasise the need for courage and intelligence when dealing with sustainability issues.
On 20 October 2022, the University of Passau officially celebrated ‘Sustainability Day’ for the first time with a festive event in the Audimax. The event marked an important milestone in the university's commitment to sustainability and was to be held annually from then on to publicise the university's sustainability agenda.
A highlight of the day was the lecture by Prof Dr Hubert Weiger, a renowned representative of the German environmental protection movement. His contribution encouraged reflection on the urgent challenges in the field of sustainability and emphasised the importance of the topic for the academic world and society as a whole.
The sustainability prizes in two categories were also awarded during the event. The ‘Prize for Sustainability-Related Research’ went to Dr Dr Markus P. Beham for his outstanding scientific achievements in the field of sustainability. Alexandra Binder, Susanne Schlatter, Elena Mühlbauer and Isabell Groll from the Chair of Art History and Visual Studies were honoured in the ‘Sustainability Activities on Campus’ category. Both prizes were endowed with 1,500 euros each and were generously supported by Sparda-Bank.
Sustainability Day 2022 also served as a platform for the introduction of the Sustainability Hub, a central action and organisational structure for all sustainability-related activities at the University of Passau. This initiative underlines the University's endeavours to further expand and strengthen its organisational and administrative structures in the area of sustainability in the coming years.
In the winter semester 2024/2025, the University of Passau organised a high-calibre lecture series that offered a comprehensive insight into the approaches of the various faculties in the field of sustainability research. The lecture series was open to all interested parties.
The event series was opened on 13 November 2024 with a lecture by Prof. Dr Johann Graf Lambsdorff from the Faculty of Economics. His presentation ‘From emissions trading to rights of nature: institutional economic considerations on the climate crisis’ highlighted economic approaches to tackling the climate crisis.
On 11 December 2024, Prof. Dr Urs Kramer from the Faculty of Law addressed the topic of ‘Deutschlandtakt’ and ‘Bundesmobilitätsgesetz’ as possible paths to sustainable (rail) transport. This lecture offered exciting insights into the legal framework conditions of sustainable transport concepts.
A special highlight of the series was the additional date on 9 January 2025 (Thursday), when Prof. Dr Andrea Joslyn Nightingale from the University of Oslo contributed an international perspective with her lecture ‘Sustainability Dilemmas: Governing Landscapes and a Changing Polity in Nepal’.
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Education was represented on 15 January 2025 by Prof. Dr Susanne Hartwig, who gave a lecture on ‘People with disabilities and sustainable social systems’.
The lecture series concluded on 29 January 2025 with a lecture by Prof. Dr Hermann de Meer from the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics on the topic of ‘The duality of the power grid and information technology’, which shed light on the technical aspects of sustainability.
The lecture series organised by the University of Passau's Sustainability Hub offered not only students but also interested members of the public the opportunity to find out about current research approaches to sustainability. As Prof. Dr Werner Gamerith, Vice President for Transfer and Internal Networking with the cross-sectional task of sustainability, emphasised, the lecture series provided a valuable platform for providing insights into interdisciplinary research related to sustainability and encouraging discussion about a sustainable future.
This year's lecture series on sustainability focuses on West Africa, a region that is currently characterised by environmental changes, especially climate change, but also intense political conflicts and upheavals. Speakers from academia and practice will shed light on various aspects of migration and (sustainable) development in West Africa.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Zwei Menschen blicken auf einen See](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/f/csm_csm_COLOURBOX42955790_eba6895298_6e641cc431.jpg)
Humans are shaping the earth's surface so strongly today that this will still be recognisable in the distant geological future. ‘Anthropocene’ is the name for this hypothesis and for the postulate derived from it that a new geological age should be proclaimed for both scientific and political reasons. The lecture series reports on the changes and the scientific discussions surrounding the term.
Admission is free.
What is the climate crisis doing to our society? Why do political and social action still lag behind the demands of science? Why do some forms of protest polarise more than others? These questions are at the centre of the new event series ‘Focus on Climate - Moving from Talk to Action. Fundamentals of climate change’, which was launched on 28 April 2023.
Climate change and the associated effects on our planet are among the most pressing issues of our time. The open seminar series ‘Focus on Climate’ is dedicated to the social and political handling of the climate crisis against the background of various scientific disciplines.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Ringveranstaltung „Nachhaltigkeit und Konsum“](/fileadmin/_processed_/c/e/csm_COLOURBOX32829346_af59bd948d.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Ringveranstaltung „Nachhaltigkeit und Konsum“")
Everyone consumes. Every day. As purchasing decisions are influenced by personal habits and attitudes, it is not guaranteed that we will make conscious consumption decisions at all times. But this is exactly what sustainable consumption means: conscious, responsible consumption that ‘takes a closer look’ and scrutinises the costs of one's own individual consumption for people and the environment.
In Sustainable Development Goal 12 ‘Responsible consumption and production patterns’, the guiding principle of sustainable development addresses the interplay between individual consumer, usage and disposal behaviour and international value chains and asks how the interaction between the two can be made more ecologically and socially compatible.
As sustainable consumption affects everyone's everyday life and lifestyle, we are dedicating this Ringveranstaltung lecture series ´Sustainability and Consumption` „Nachhaltigkeit und Konsum“ in the winter semester 2022/23 to the discussion of this important sustainability topic.
Coffee, cocoa and other crops are grown worldwide in the tropics and subtropics and contribute immensely to the income of many countries in the South. But what is the ecological footprint of these cash crops and who earns from them? And are there ways to make cultivation more ecologically and socially sustainable? These questions are being discussed in an ongoing advanced seminar, which is currently also developing its own website. As part of the ‘Sustainability and Consumption’ series of events organised by the Sustainability Hub at the University of Passau, Professor Schmitt will give an overview of the conditions under which tropical cash crops are cultivated and, together with students taking part in the seminar, will discuss the initial results of the seminar.
Admission is free.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Kaffeeplantage](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/8/csm_coffee-plantation-g4633167ba_640_0b784b216c.jpg)
In the winter semester 2021/2022, the Ringvorlesung lecture series ´Changing Perspectives in Scienece and Society` entered its seventh round, this time with five events on the topic of ‘Sustainability in the Context of Digitalisation’. A special focus was placed on the area of ecological sustainability and resource issues. The aim was to take a critical look at various dimensions of the digitalisation of society and the economy and the challenges and opportunities that digitalisation offers for sustainable development.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Ringvorlesung „Perspektivwechsel in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft“](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/2/csm_Colourbox-41837372_786c99edee.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Ringvorlesung „Perspektivwechsel in Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft“")
Prof. Dr Martina Fromhold-Eisebith, holder of the Chair of Economic Geography at RWTH Aachen University and member of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) until 2020, kicked off the event on 9 November 2021 and spoke about the opportunities and risks of digitalisation. In particular, she referred to the WGBU's demands: digitalisation must be designed in such a way that it can serve as a lever and support for the major transformation towards sustainability and be synchronised with it.
| Dates | Lectures |
|---|---|
| 09.11.2021 | Prof Dr Martina Fromhold-Eisebith (RWTH Aachen University): ‘Our digital future’ |
| 08.12.2021 | Dr Ulrike Kugler (Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy Energy Industry Baden Württemberg): ‘Data centres and sustainable digitalisation’ |
| 15.12.2021 | Prof Dr Hermann de Meer (University of Passau): ‘The energy transition thrives on participation’ |
| 02.02.2022 | Prof Dr Katharina Spraul (TU Kaiserslautern): ‘Digital innovations for the circular economy’ |
| 09.02.2022 | Mascha Brost, Jürgen Weimer (German Aerospace Centre) and Jochen Benz (ZF Mobility Solutions): ‘Automated driving and the mobility transition’ |
This winter semester also saw a lecture series from the series ‘Changing Perspectives in Science and Society’, open to members of the university and all interested parties alike. This started on Tuesday, 10 November in digital format. Here you can find the complete Programm.
| Dates | Lectures |
|---|---|
| 10.11.2020 | Sustainable agriculture - good enough for the future? Prof Dr Maria Finckh, University of Kassel & Prof Dr Hartmut Graßl A joint event with the VDW (Association of German Scientists) |
| 17.11.2020 | Dilemmas of sustainability Prof Dr Anna Henkel, University of Passau (as part of https://hochschultage-bayern.de) |
| 01.12.2020 | Sustainable consumption as a moral distinction? Prof Dr Christian Neuhäuser, TU Dortmund University |
| 15.12.2020 | Asceticism and Voluntary Simplicity: A way out of the climate catastrophe? Prof Dr Suleika Bort, University of Passau & Prof Dr Dr A. Kieser, University of Mannheim |
| 12.01.2021 | Sustainability policy during and after the pandemic Prof Dr Konrad Ott, Kiel University |
| 26.01.2021 | Can there be car-free cities? Early visions and current debates Prof Dr Jörg Trempler, University of Passau |
| 02.02.2021 | Megacities - part of or solution to the global ecological challenge? Prof Dr W. Gamerith, Special Representative for Sustainability at the University of Passau |
For the 5th time in a row, the lecture series was dedicated to major topics and issues of a more sustainable future.
Here is the programme for the 2019/20 winter semester:
| Dates | Lectures |
|---|---|
| 21.10.2019 | Prof Dr Stötter, University of Innsbruck: The role of universities for a sustainable future |
| 04.11.2019 | Prof. Dr. Schmid-Petri, Univ. Passau: Komplex, unsichtbar, abstrakt: Zentrale Herausforderungen bei der Kommunikation des Klimawandels |
| 18.11.2019 | Prof Dr Christine Bauhardt, HU Berlin: Does climate change have a gender? The perspective of feminist political ecology |
| 02.12.2019 | Dr Ortrud Leßmann, University of Hamburg: Sustainable development from the perspective of the capability approach. The role of consumption |
| 16.12.2019 | Prof. Dr Sigrid Stagl, University of Vienna: Climate protection from efficiency to opportunities for realisation |
| 13.01.2020 | Dr Kristina Kurze, University of Göttingen, Lecture title: Climate protection after the European elections - The EU's pioneering role put to the test |
| 27.01.2020 | Prof. Dr. Stahl, Uni Passau: Drive by sight - über die Unnachhaltigkeit der internationalen Politik |
The lecture series on sustainability continued in the 2018/19 winter semester - this time under the title ‘Business & Responsibility’. Scientists from German and Austrian research institutions as well as practitioners presented their approaches every (almost) 14 days from 23 October, focusing in particular on innovative approaches to sustainable forms of business. You can download an Eine overview of the contents od the individual events here.
| Dates | Title |
|---|---|
23.10.2018 | Social entrepreneurship: social, sustainable, profit-orientated - is it possible? |
06.11.2018 | Regional corporate responsibility - opportunities and challenges |
20.11.2018 | CSR - more appearance than reality? |
04.12.2018 | The common good region of south-east Bavaria - practical realisation of the common good for citizens, companies and local authorities. |
18.12.2018 | CSR in theory & practice - application using the example of the Heilbronn Declaration |
15.01.2019 | The responsibility of companies for human rights |
29.01.2019 | BMW in responsibility - CSR in the automotive industry (working title) |
The lecture series ‘Changing Perspectives in Science and Society’ also took place in the 2017/18 winter semester. Here you can find the completeProgramm.
Due to its density, the city as a living space promises close networking and exchange, easy access to services and participation in cultural and political events. The quality of public space is shaped by aspects as diverse as mobility concepts, affordable housing and its characteristics for newcomers, children and the poor. The joint lecture series ‘Urban living spaces between participation and value creation’ in the 2016/17 winter semester explored this area of tension between democratic and commercial interests. The aim was not only to take a critical look at various urban dimensions, but also to explore the question of urban development that meets the challenges of a global world. What can an urban environment contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals?
For the first time, the Chair of Comparative Development and Cultural Research and the Passau Architecture Forum organised this public lecture series together with the University of Passau's ‘Workshop on Sustainability’ to present and debate ideas from science and planning practice for innovative urban futures.
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| 03.11.2016 | Destroy in order to preserve? Flood protection in the area of conflict between property protection, cityscape preservation and public participation. Panel discussion with: Christa Gottinger (Höllgasse businesswoman), Peter Haimerl (architect, visiting professor for urban intervention in public space, University of Kassel), Manfred Sturm (city councillor), Karl Synek (city councillor), Anette Wolf (resident & restaurateur in Unterer Sand). |
| 17.11.2016 | Urban sustainability transformation in the context of climate change and participation. Dr Kerstin Krellenberg| Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology | Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ-Leipzig |
| 08.12.2015 | In search of resonant ways of life between urban utopia and rural pragmatism. Prof. Dr Eberhard Rothfuß | Chair of Social and Population Geography | University of Bayreuth |
| 12.01.2017 | Share the city fairly. Ass. Prof. Dr Doris Damyanovic | Institute of Landscape Planning | University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna |
| 19.01.2017 | Vietnam's metropolises - challenges and solutions for sustainable urban development. Dr Michael Waibel, Institute of Geography | University of Hamburg |
| 26.01.2017 | Home not Shelter. Prof. Dr Ralf Pasel | Institute of Architecture |TU Berlin |
| 02.02.2017 | Turning points in residential construction. Prof. Dr Thomas Jocher| Institute of Housing and Design (IWE) | University of Stuttgart |
If you look at the earth from a great distance, you could come to the conclusion: The world continues to turn while humanity goes round in circles. Every era and every society has experienced objective and subjectively perceived crises and threats. Today, too, we are faced with a multitude of challenges that seem to be closely interwoven. Around the world, many of the old social and economic orders are in the process of disintegration, accompanied by and/or caused by the various effects of globalisation. Science is also finding it increasingly difficult to provide explanations or even answers to the social and political problems and challenges of the Anthropocene. However, there are pioneering thinkers who have adopted new and unconventional ways of thinking and have already changed their perspective. Scientists from German, Austrian and Swiss universities presented their ideas and approaches every two weeks from 22 October.
| Time and place | Events |
|---|---|
22.10.2015 18-20 Uhr WIWI HS6 | On the road to sustainable development - challenges and potentials for research and teaching |
| 05.11.2015 18-20 Uhr WIWI HS6 | ‘As if the earth had long since stopped talking to us’ - On resonance with nature and its loss. Prof Dr Angelika Krebs, Chair of Practical Philosophy, University of Basel |
19.11.2015 17-18 Uhr (s.t) | Ecologically sustainable data centres for smart cities - the All4Green and DC4Cities projects Prof. Dr Herrmann de Meer, Chair of Computer Science with a focus on Computer Networks and Computer Communication, University of Passau |
| 03.12.201518-20 Uhr WIWI HS6 | No time for sustainability - The limits of sustainability using the example of the Simpsons Prof Dr Michael Suda, Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy, Technical University of Munich |
| 17.12.2015 18-20 Uhr WIWI HS6 | Sustainability as a corporate challenge and opportunity: here to stay! Prof Dr Markus Beckmann, Chair of Corporate Sustainability Management, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg |
| 14.01.2016 18-20 Uhr WIWI HS6 | ‘Global climate policy in the Anthropocene - how successful were the Paris climate negotiations?’ |
| 28.01.2016 18-20 Uhr WIWI HS6 | Global Care Gaps, Care and Care Work: On Capitalism, Inequality and Perspectives of Sociology in the Face of Care Crises. |
In the winter semester 2024/25, the Sustainability Round Table at the University of Passau offered a varied programme from October 2024 to March 2025 that addressed important aspects of sustainability on campus. The series of events served as an open networking format for all members of the university, both staff and students, to work together to make the campus more sustainable.
The most important events at a glance:
The event ‘From Idea to Action: Sustainability Initiatives by Students’ took place on 7 November 2024. Here, committed students presented their creative projects to promote sustainability and discussed the challenges involved in implementing them.
The university's climate protection concept was presented on 20 November 2024. Participants were given an insight into the planned measures and goals for a climate-neutral university.
The event continued on 10 December 2024 with the topic ‘From education to change: sustainability in teaching’. Here, the participants discussed how sustainability topics are anchored in various degree programmes and where there is still potential.
The series concluded on 20 January 2025 with the event ‘From resources to responsibility: sustainability in the canteen’. The event focussed on issues of resource conservation and climate-friendly catering.
We cordially invite you to take part in the next meeting of the Sustainability Round Table.
As part of our climate protection concept for the university, we are focussing more strongly in the new year on measures that we want to implement on campus over the next 10 to 15 years. Five workshops on the topics of nature and the environment, energy, procurement, mobility and waste/water are being organised for this purpose.
We cordially invite you to take part in the next meeting of the Sustainability Round Table.
To make sustainability and climate protection more visible on campus, the Sustainability Hub invites you to join in and take action. To this end, we are setting up the ‘Sustainability Round Table’, a networking format for the entire university family - especially for academic support staff and students. We meet regularly to provide information and discuss the status of activities and initiatives on campus.
At the next meeting, student university groups will present their diverse sustainability activities on campus and beyond and invite you to exchange ideas. The meeting will take place on Monday, 06 November 2023 from 16:00 to 17:30 in the Dilab Lecturers' Room NK211 . Come and join us!
Featured initiatives:
enactus
GHG
Fairteiler/Foodsharing
Fridays for Future
Student garden
HG Sustainability
To make sustainability and climate protection more visible on campus, the Sustainability Hub invites you to join in and take action. To this end, we are setting up the ‘Sustainability Round Table’, a networking format for the entire university family - especially for academic support staff and students. We meet regularly to share information and discuss the status of activities and initiatives on campus.
Next meeting:
The next meeting will take place on 24 July 2023 from 16:00 to 17:30 in the Nikolakloster (NK), room 212 (teacher:inside room of the DiLab, Innstraße 40). We would like to present the existing activities in the area of climate protection and sustainability. How is the university heated? Where do the office supplies come from? What happens to the waste? We want to answer and discuss these and other questions.
To make sustainability and climate protection more visible on campus, the Sustainability Hub invites you to join in and take action. To this end, we are setting up the ‘Sustainability Round Table’, a networking format for the entire university family - especially for academic support staff and students. We meet regularly to provide information and discuss the status of activities and initiatives on campus.
The first meeting on 20 June 2023 from 16:00 to 17:30 in ITZ SR017 will focus on the newly created positions for sustainability at the university, highlight interesting fields of action on campus and discuss the next steps of the round table.
On 20 May 2025, the 3rd Québec-Bavaria Forum on ‘Sustainability and Social Responsibility - Culture-specific and Intercultural Perspectives’ took place at the University of Passau. Organised by the University of Passau, the event provided a platform for exchange between Québec and Bavaria. Lectures, practical examples and discussion panels highlighted innovative approaches to sustainability from a scientific, economic and social perspective. The focus was on the realisation that sustainable development can only succeed through the interplay of ecological, economic and social responsibility as well as international cooperation. The forum inspired new perspectives and concrete action in line with the motto: ‘A world of crisis is a world of opportunities.’. Further information.
In July 2025, Professor Urs Kramer gave a lecture on railway law at the University of Passau, which was aimed particularly at those interested in sustainability and was open to the public. The event provided a thorough overview of the multifaceted field of railway law, covering both the legal framework and practical aspects of railway operations. A particular highlight of the lecture was the opportunity to experience railway operations directly from the driver's cab of a locomotive. In addition, practitioners presented various railway-related professions and activities in a session, making the lecture practical and lively. The course thus combined theoretical knowledge with direct insights into the working world of the railway industry, thereby making a valuable contribution to a sustainable understanding of this infrastructure sector.
The ‘Wegrowth’ series of events - a student project that created desire and anticipation for a climate-friendly and socially just future - attracted many students with its colourful programme! The series presented the diverse solutions for a better world and called on students to put them into practice, overcome obstacles and question the status quo.
‘The shopping revolution 2.0 - Why consumers don't use their power enough’ was the title of the lecture by Dr Tanja Busse, to which the Sustainability Hub of the University of Passau had invited on 14 December 2022, 6 pm, in the Innsteg auditorium/room 007 (Innstr. 23). The journalist and author has been working for years to improve living and working conditions in a globalised world.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Dr. Tanja Busse](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/4/csm_TanjaBusse_NurMitCopyrightGeorgSchweisfurthVerwenden_c1c97d2ab4.jpg)
Municipalities have a decisive role and responsibility in the concrete implementation of climate protection and adaptation measures. The department of Kédougou in Senegal and the district of Passau presented their joint project ‘Municipal Climate Partnerships’ at the University of Passau on Thursday, 27 October 2022. Ms Coiffet from the University of Passau's Language Centre explained how students from Passau can also get in touch with students from the Département of Kédougou and thus make a concrete and practical contribution to climate protection.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Zwei Hände, die eine junge Pflanze schützen](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/0/csm_csm_Nachhaltigkeit_Pflanze_143d68ac67_a36e1b3ac4.jpg "Dr. Tanja Busse")
The Institute for Applied Ethics in Business, Education and Training (Ethik WAW) celebrated its 20th anniversary with an event on 16 September 2022 from 2 to 4 pm.
![[Translate to Englisch:] 20 Jahre Institut Ethik WAW und Projektauftakt Ökosoziale Transformation](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/9/csm_Nachhaltigkeit_6df4f9bd66.jpg)
As a scientific competence centre for questions of economic and business ethics and sustainability, our focus is on the following key areas:
These three areas characterise the work and, above all, the future direction of the institute. This day also marked the launch of the ‘Eco-social Transformation’ project of the diocese and the University of Passau.
| Programm | Speaker:in |
|---|---|
| Greeting | Prof Dr Bernhard Bleyer |
Impulse of the President | Prof Dr Ulrich Bartosch |
| Impulse from the bishop | Bishop Dr Stefan Oster SDB |
| Looking to the future - sustainability transformation in companies | Nadine-Lan Hönighaus Econsense |
Closing words | Dr Annekatrin Meißner |
| Stand-up reception and networking | |
Venue: Lecture theatre 9 (Audimax), Innstraße 31, Passau
Representatives from the Church and science came together at a conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 6 to 8 June 2022 to discuss the paths and possibilities of an ‘integral ecology’.
Natural sciences and theology are concerned about mankind's growing demands on nature and are focussing on the question of whether a combination of scientific and rational approaches with elements of spiritual experience can counteract this problem. ‘The world's ecological crisis is also a deep social crisis. It requires the co-operation of all people of good will to lead the global community towards a sustainable way of life. Sober science and spiritual experience can contribute to this together,’ says Prof Dr Ulrich Bartosch, President of the University of Passau.
![[Translate to Englisch:] (v.l.) Paolo Conversi, Ph.D. (Päpstliche Universität Gregoriana, Rom), Prof. Dr. René Micallef SJ (Päpstliche Universität Gregoriana, Rom), Thiago García (Engagement Global, Bonn), Prof. Dr. Nuno da Silva Gonçalves SJ (Rektor, Päpstliche Universität Gregoriana, Rom), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch (Präsident, Universität Passau), Christian Meier (Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt), Prof. Dr. Gerard Kevin Whelan SJ (Päpstliche Universität Gregoriana, Rom), Foto: Mara Petermann (VDW)](/fileadmin/_processed_/2/4/csm_Bild1_Konferenz_Integral_Ecology_bb5aad0c82.jpg)
‘innovative. sustainable. urban.": Under this motto, a symposium on the development prospects and potential of the city of Passau took place on 28 January 2022 as part of the Master's degree programme in Geography. In 18 short keynote speeches, students, researchers and Passau citizens presented their ideas and visions for Passau.
Get to know the event programme and the topics of the presentations.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Symposium zu den Entwicklungsperspektiven und Potenzialen der Stadt Passau](/fileadmin/_processed_/7/6/csm_Symposium_Innovatig-nachhaltig-urban_6a0a1a5573.jpg)
In June 2020, the Sustainability University Group organised two expert talks via ZOOM with players from the textile industry:
Speaker: Katharina Schaus, it fits - Organic Textile Partner.
The expert Katharina Schaus, it fits - Organic Textile Partner(https://www.itfits.de) shared her many years of expert knowledge with us and introduced us to the extensive labelling landscape of sustainable textiles. She explained the general basics and portrayed individual textile labels according to a standardised, structured observation grid.
Speaker: Martin Kluck, Kipepeo Clothing,
Martin Kluck, founder of Kipepeo Clothing (https://www.kipepeo-clothing.com/de/ ), took us on the journey of one of his fair and sustainably produced T-shirts in East Africa and gave us an understanding of the textile supply chain.
Despite international political efforts, climate change is progressing inexorably. The effects are also being felt more clearly in southern Germany. In view of the increasing urgency, the question arises: How can climate change be shaped politically?
Given the pressure to act, democratic processes appear too complex to be able to implement decisions quickly. Sceptics therefore assume that democracy must be restricted in the fight against climate change. This is countered by the argument that values and attitudes cannot be changed ‘from above’. The restriction of individual freedoms is countered by an increase in citizen participation.
The panel discussion centred on the question: Will social freedoms have to be drastically restricted in the future? Or can the climate turnaround only be achieved ‘from below’ - through a higher degree of social participation?
Afterwards, the following discussed with each other:
The discussion was moderated by Helmuth Rücker (PNP).
Event as part of the ‘WEEKS ON DEMOCRACY’, organised by Werkstattgespräch Nachhaltigkeit (Rerferat I/2), Regional Network Office Sustainability RENN Süd, Weeks on Democracy Passau
From 4 to 5 June 2025, the University of Passau hosted the symposium “Spiritual Ecology”, which addressed the urgent question of how ecological change can be driven forward in the face of multiple crises. Several overlapping challenges threaten the future of our planet and lead to social divisions that make necessary changes more difficult. Against this backdrop, the symposium focused on “spiritual ecology” – a perspective that emphasises the profound interconnectedness of all life and seeks to activate individual and collective spiritual forces for change.
Particular attention was paid to the paradoxical situation of our time: although scientific knowledge about ecological interrelationships and crises is widely available, there is often a lack of corresponding action. Findings from the neurosciences and social sciences were used to understand this discrepancy. They provide valuable insights into why people do not act despite knowing the urgency of the situation and show ways in which more sustainable motivation can be awakened.
n addition to scientific contributions, art also played a central role. It not only reflects the current crisis, but also develops visionary images of the future that provide impetus for shaping a sustainable world. The symposium understood ecological change as an interplay between motivated people, comprehensive knowledge of material environmental conditions and a sensitive perception of mental and spiritual environments.
An innovative aspect of the symposium was the use of the university campus as a sustainability laboratory, where theoretical approaches were put into practice and explored. The ‘Spiritual Ecology’ symposium thus offered an inspiring interdisciplinary platform that combined science, art and practice to create the conditions for genuine ecological change and to strengthen the participants in their commitment.
The 2025 Sustainability Weeks at the University of Passau were a colourful and inspiring series of events that addressed numerous facets of sustainability and brought them to life. A particular highlight of these weeks was Sustainability Day, which, with its focused atmosphere and diverse programme, powerfully highlighted the commitment to a sustainable future. It provided a space for inspiring ideas, intensive discussions and festive honours that impressively demonstrated the spirit of sustainability.
One of the special events that stood out was “Kibera Fashion Week on Sustainability & Inclusivity – Threads of Change”, an impressive film by Prof. Dr. Andreas Eberth that shows how sustainable and inclusive fashion is created in one of Kenya's largest slums. This was followed by the guest lecture ‘lookslikeavido – Fashion made in Kibera, Kenya's biggest slum and creativity hub’, in which Prof. Dr. Eberth highlighted the creative power and change in Kibera and engaged in a lively discussion with the audience.
The ‘Climate Puzzle’ invited participants to explore climate-specific challenges in a playful and interactive way in order to better understand complex interrelationships and develop solutions together.
As part of the university cinema programme, the film ‘Generation Change’ was shown, which focused on the younger generation as the driving force behind sustainability change and subsequently stimulated a lively discussion.
The ‘BUND Naturschutz Führung am Inn’ (BUND Nature Conservation Tour on the Inn) with Paul Kastner offered a special nature experience, allowing participants to explore the beauty and ecological significance of the Inn River up close.
Finally, the communal experience ‘Vegan Cook & Run with Vegetables from the Student Garden’ rounded off the weeks. Here, participants not only cooked and enjoyed the food, but also experienced the connection between sustainable vegetable cultivation and conscious nutrition.
The Sustainable Weeks 2024 at the University of Passau took place from 10 to 22 June 2024 and offered a diverse programme on the topic of sustainability. The events included workshops, lectures and film screenings, such as the university cinema with the film ‘Tomorrow - The World is Full of Solutions’. Other highlights included morning yoga, a plant swap party and the Sustainability Day with a celebratory event and subsequent discussion. Topics such as microplastics, mobility concepts and the conscious use of food took centre stage.
Alongside Europe and digitalisation, sustainability is one of the three major focal points of the University of Passau's profile. On ‘Sustainability Day’, which the university celebrated with a festive event on Thursday, 20 June 2024, keynote speaker Christiane Grefe described sustainability as a survival strategy in her lecture ‘The grounded society - Why sustainability needs a new policy for land and soil’.
Afterwards, the ‘Prize for Sustainability-Related Research’ was awarded to Dr Paul Hamann-Rose and the ‘Prize for Sustainability Activities on Campus’ to the student initiative ‘Innwerk’. The Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz received an honourable mention for its commitment to sustainable catering and procurement.
The Sustainability University Group is organising the Sustainable Weeks at the University of Passau from 16 June 2023 to 27 June 2023. In cooperation with other university groups, such as ProVeg and Fridays for Future, a varied programme of exciting lectures, workshops and activities is planned. For example, the student garden will also be presented for the first time.
Further information on the content of the Sustainable Weeks and the schedule can be found here and on the Instagram channel of the Sustainability University Group @nachhaltigkeit.passau.
As part of the ‘Sustainability and Consumption’ series of events, the Sustainability Hub at the University of Passau organised a company tour of Biobäckerei Wagner GmbH in Tiefenbach. What does it mean to market organic products honestly, fairly and regionally in times of crisis? The participants learnt this during the tour of the Wagner bakery. They also learnt about the problems that the gas price poses for a small company with high energy requirements.
The ‘Sustainability Day’ on Thursday, 20 October 2022, 6 p.m., in the Audimax of the University of Passau (Innstr. 31) was another highlight of the celebratory programme ‘400 years of academic tradition in Passau’, which addressed the challenges of the present and looked to the future.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Wachsende Pflanze wird in Händen gehalten.](/fileadmin/_processed_/7/7/csm_COLOURBOX44456962_b4ee0f85be.jpg "environment Earth Day In the hands of trees growing seedlings. B")
| Programm | Speaker:in |
|---|---|
| Greeting | Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch |
| Videogreeting | Staatsminister Thorsten Glauber, MdL |
| Impulse | Prof. Dr. Werner Gamerith |
| Lecture | Prof. Dr. Hubert Weiger |
| Award ceremonies | |
| Ludwig Zistler honoured for his professional life's work | |
| AwardforsustainabilityattheUniversityofPassau2022:‘Sustainabilityactivitiesoncampus’ | |
| Sustainability Award at the University of Passau 2022: Research with a focus on sustainability | |
| Closingwords | Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch |
| Reception |
Under the motto ‘Visions of a sustainable future’, the university sustainability group and the sustainability workshop, in cooperation with various professorships and university groups, organised Sustainability Weeks from 20 June to 4 July 2022.
In addition to exciting lectures, the programme also included numerous interesting workshops and guided tours. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about hydroponics and vertical gardening in various workshops, make their own wax cloths or learn how to change a bicycle inner tube.
All information about the event dates and the complete programme can be found in the PDF file.
On 3 February 2022, the eighth online conference of the “Aktionstag zur Aufklärung 2.0: Wir sind dran!” (Enlightenment Day 2.0: It's our turn!) was held at the University of Passau. For the eighth time, students and lecturers engaged in dialogue with partner universities and experts from the VDW on issues of sustainable development at local, regional and global levels. The event series focused on critical thinking and the development of creative interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary solutions in the spirit of Enlightenment 2.0. The event series thus provided a space for participatory future thinking with students and teachers.
Find out more about the diverse programme.
![[Translate to Englisch:] VDW-Aktionstag](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/8/csm_COLOURBOX7419024_efcea13c77.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] VDW-Aktionstag")
From 21 June to 4 July 2021, Sustainable Weeks took place once again at the University of Passau. Exciting lectures, workshops and discussions were held digitally and, where possible, on site.
The programme provides information about the individual events, such as the guided tour “Wild bees on the University of Passau campus”, the lecture “Climate protection in the city of Passau” and the vegetarian canteen day.
The topic of sustainability was addressed during the Sustainability Weeks in various formats and from a wide range of scientific and everyday perspectives. With the support of the Sustainability Workshop Discussion, the Sustainability University Group and various other university groups organised workshops, specialist lectures, presentations and much more.
Here you will find an overview of the programme. Detailed descriptions of the content can be found in the programme flyer.
As part of the German Sustainability Action Days, a workshop was held for students: Upcycling – when rubbish becomes useful.
From 2 to 11 May, students from various university groups, in collaboration with the University of Passau, presented a diverse programme featuring exciting lectures, workshops, excursions and much more. The debate on sustainability focused on the topics of critical and sustainable consumption, social transformation and the role of companies.
A poster exhibition and ‘Thoughts to Go’ provided information on the topic of meat consumption and meat production and their global impact. The thoughts on the topic of meat are available for download.
