Advancing sustainability at RPTU and making positive things grow: The Green Office

The Green Office is a central point of contact for sustainability at RPTU and aims to promote sustainability in all areas of our university. Students and employees are informed about topics in this area, networked with each other and supported in projects. In this interview, Julia Krawitz, Sustainability Officer at the Landau campus, explains the tasks and projects it is dedicated to and how interested parties can get involved.

How did you get involved with the Green Office?

As part of the merger of our two university campuses, the position of Sustainability Officer was created in Landau at the same time as in Kaiserslautern. Since then, I have been working closely and in coordination with my colleague Tobias Röhr in Kaiserslautern and the entire sustainability team at RPTU. At the same time, we have established a superordinate Green Office at RPTU, which is made up of the previous purely student Green Office in Landau and a newly established Green Office in Kaiserslautern. This will enable us to promote sustainability projects across all locations and in a synchronized manner in the future. Six student assistants from Landau and Kaiserslautern are currently working in various work packages in the Green Office.

What topics and projects does the Green Office focus on?

We act as a kind of lobby for all stakeholder groups and network various players in the field of sustainability. Our tasks include establishing participation formats such as our working groups and organizing various sustainability projects. For example, we are currently creating a digital exchange format “Exchange for Tomorrow - dialog on teaching for a more sustainable future” in the Teaching Working Group. Once or twice a semester, two lecturers from different disciplines will be able to exchange their ideas, experiences and challenges regarding teaching for a more sustainable future in a relaxed discussion. Other working groups are the Waste/Paper Working Group and the Mobility Working Group, in which all RPTU employees and students can participate, just like in the Teaching Working Group. Together, we tackle problems and work on solutions that are incorporated into RPTU's sustainability strategy.

We regularly provide useful information on the topic of sustainability on our website. In December, our Green Office newsletter will be available for the first time, through which we will share information about our work as well as highlights on sustainability at RPTU and “World News” on sustainability. There will also be useful tips and good-to-know advice on how to act sustainably in everyday life. For example, on how to save energy when cooking. Our student assistants are involved in all of these areas and contribute their ideas.

As part of our projects, for example, we want to further develop the Oecologicum certificate and make it more visible. The certificate gives students the opportunity to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in the field of sustainable development.

We cooperate with the RPTU start-up office, schools and other educational and social stakeholders to carry out projects such as the “Sustainable Mobility Week”. This year, for example, there were various lectures, campaigns and information stands to raise awareness of sustainable mobility among students and staff.

What role do the specialist areas and other departments play in your offerings?

We have a digital participation platform called 'Sustainability Workshop', where we always invite a speaker to talk about a specific topic and then enter into a discussion with the participants. We have participation from a wide variety of areas, just like in our working groups.

How does the Green Office define 'sustainability'?

As the Green Office, we are guided by the United Nations' definition of sustainability, including the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). We want to ensure that future generations also have a future worth living and that the earth's limits are not exceeded. The concept of sustainability has its origins in forestry and means that only as much should be extracted as can grow back. This fits in well with our slogan: 'What grows and thrives'. That's exactly our idea: to make positive things grow.

Do you have a favorite project?

Yes, from my personal point of view, it really is the newsletter. It's a project close to my heart. Sustainability communication is very important to us. We see it as our task to make visible what is happening in the field of sustainability at the university. The students have put a lot of heart and soul into the newsletter and are very conscientious in their research.

The Sustainable Mobility Week was also a time-consuming but enjoyable project. It was planned by the Mobility Working Group, in which both students and RPTU employees are involved. It was implemented at both locations. With our open working groups, we create opportunities for participation in which everyone can get involved. It's always a lot of fun and very enjoyable.

How can interested parties join you?

Interested parties, whether students or employees, are always welcome and have the opportunity to get involved in our working groups. There are currently the Teaching Working Group, the Waste/Paper Working Group and the Mobility Working Group, which meet regularly every six to eight weeks. All topics and projects are decided and developed jointly in the working group. We welcome people who are passionate about sustainability. You can also send us ideas by e-mail to our “ideas mailbox”, which we then try to implement depending on feasibility. We are also always happy to provide support if students want to get something off the ground themselves. We offer a wide range of possibilities.

What is so important to you personally about the Green Office?

I love the Green Office because I value the collaboration with the students so much. It's great to see the ideas and commitment they contribute and how constructively they interact with each other. It is also particularly important to me that the Green Office remains a creative place that “grows and flourishes”, as our newsletter so beautifully puts it. This place is lively, positive, creative and filled with the input of young, committed people who have the opportunity to get beautiful and important things off the ground. I think that's very special.