Sustainability is an important part of our university. We integrate the topic into our teaching and research activities in order to prepare our students for the demands of tomorrow’s working world and promote their employability. Our academic staff work on many projects that support the sustainable development of our society. Together, we create an environment that combines innovation and responsibility.
We also continue to develop our university management and try to make the activities of our university community sustainable.
Greenhouse gas balance sheet
FH JOANNEUM has compiled its first greenhouse gas inventory for the calendar year 2023. It covers the Graz, Kapfenberg and Bad Gleichenberg sites and takes into account consumption in the categories of energy, transport and material use. The greenhouse gas inventory for the calendar year 2024 is still based on the emission factors from 2023 and should still be regarded as provisional.
The university generated approximately 6,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2023. The five main sources of emissions are student commuting, district heating demand, travel by staff and students, and staff commuting.
Our greenhouse gas inventory serves as a basis for reducing emissions and supports the climate targets of the Province of Styria. We are developing initiatives to minimise environmental impact and to strengthen the sustainability awareness and skills of our students and staff.
Social sustainability
FH JOANNEUM has been awarded the state quality mark “University and Family” and the seal of approval for workplace health promotion.
Information on gender equality and inclusion can be found on the Equal Treatment and Diversity pages.
Sustainability reporting
For the 2024/25 financial year, FH JOANNEUM has produced its first sustainability report in accordance with the VSME standard. The report comprises two parts: Part 1 focuses on our ‘handprint’ and shows how we put sustainability into practice in our teaching, research projects and initiatives. Part 2 constitutes the formal sustainability statement in accordance with VSME.
As part of our European University Alliance EU4Dual, we have already prepared a sustainability report for the first project year of the Alliance in 2024.