Completed projects
Completed projects of the Green Office
A basketball player scores a goal
Nesting boxes on the university campus
Birds are an important part of our ecosystem. For example, they help to regulate the insect population. At present, almost half of the breeding birds living in Germany are endangeredExternal link. In its sustainability strategy de, the University has set itself the goal of promoting biodiversity on its own premises (B.5.1).
The Society of Friends and Sponsors of the University de donated 30 nesting boxes to provide a safe nesting place for endangered bird species. These will be installed on trees in the botanical garden in the near future.
Redesign of Ernst-Abbe-Platz
Ernst-Abbe-Platz is a central location for students in Jena. In the summer months, however, it becomes very overheated and offers little quality of stay.
As part of the federal programme "Adapting urban spaces to climate change", Ernst-Abbe-Platz is to be redesigned. The wishes and needs of university members are to be given special consideration. In collaboration with the City of Jena and the Department of Building and Real Estate, we are currently working on a participation process for university members.
The Green Office was primarily involved in initiating, conducting and analysing the survey. In the meantime, the project is being continued by other university committees in cooperation with the city. One contact person is Dr Thomas Eberlein.
Goal B.5.2.1 of the sustainability strategy de provides for the creation of meeting places in outdoor areas of the university. This goal will be pursued further by redesigning Ernst-Abbe-Platz.
Tram stop at the campus of the Friedrich Schiller University at Ernst Abbe Platz in Jena
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)We have set ourselves the goal to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by mobility at the University of Jena.
As a first step, a university-wide mobility survey was therefore conducted in March and April 2022. This is intended to help identify potential savings and create demand-oriented offers for environmentally friendly mobility and working conditions. We are pleased with the broad participation of the university community with over 4,200 completed participations!
The results have already been evaluated and presented to the respective departments. These serve as a basis for future decisions. Results concerning the urban infrastructure have already been forwarded to the responsible office of the municipality. Further information on mobility opportunities at the university and the mobility report can be found here.
This project helps to reach goals B.3 and T.2.2 of the sustainbility strategy.
Bike repair day at Ernst Abbe Campus
Image: Sabrina StanglIn May 2023, students and employees of the university had the opportunity to repair their broken bikes on Ernst-Abbe-Platz. With the support of helping hands from the ADFC Jena-Saaletal, brakes were renewed, tubes were changed and much more.
For the European Mobility Week in September 2023, there was a bicycle bazaar where bicycles that were no longer in use could find new owners.
Due to the great popularity, we want to offer regular bicycle events in cooperation with the ADFC in the future.
This project supports goals G.2.2 and B.3.1 of the sustainability strategy de.
Schiller's insect house offers insects various nesting opportunities.
Image: Robin MuggenthalerSchillers Insektenhäuschen (Schiller's insect house) was built by the Green Office as part of the university summer festival and installed in the Schiller Garden.
Many species find nesting opportunities there, e.g. wild bees, ladybugs and butterflies. Insects are very important for biodiversity. They pollinate plants, serve as prey for other creatures and are important in pest control.
Due to the decline in natural nesting sites, an insect hotel helps to preserve insect populations.
This project helps to pursue goal B.5.1 of the sustainability strategy.
The PEFC logo for sustainable forestry. It was photographed through a magnifying glass.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)As an educational institution for more than 18,000 students and the largest employer in Thuringia, the University of Jena purchases large quantities of products, such as paper, every year.
For this reason, the Green Office collaborated with the Department of Finance and Procurement de to develop more sustainable standards for procurement. By purchasing more sustainably produced products, environmentally harmful impacts can be reduced, and market demand can be steered toward more environmentally friendly production methods.
In addition, targeted initiatives, such as swap networks, shall lead to the avoidance of new purchases of equipment and materials, thereby saving resources. Here you can find more information about sustainable procurement at the University of Jena. This project helps to pursue goal B.4 of the sustainabily strategy.
One bench built out of paletts
Image: Robin MuggenthalerThe Corona pandemic impaired life on the campus of the University of Jena. Falling case numbers in summer 2021, however, let the need for places of personal exchange rise again.
To reconquer the campus together with the students, the Green Office therefore organized an event to build pallet furniture. In order to consider environmental sustainability in addition to social sustainability, only used, FSC-certified pallets were utilized.
This resulted in more seating options at the Ernst Abbe Campus and at the university sports grounds. Special thanks go to the colleagues from Division 4 and the University Sports Center for their active support.