Membership in networks
Universität Hamburg, specifically the Center for a Sustainable University, is a member of the following networks:
COPERNICUS Alliance
A few years ago, Universität Hamburg’s Executive University Board signed the COPERNICUS Charta, thereby committing to sustainable development as a leading principle. In September 2015 Universität Hamburg took another step on the path towards shaping a sustainable university by becoming a member of the COPERNICUS Alliance. The goal of this membership is to actively participate in the University network for sustainable development and to implement projects promoting sustainability in cooperation with those involved in sustainability efforts at international universities. In September 2017 the KNU hosted the annual conference of the COPERNICUS Alliance as part of the Hamburg Sustainable Development Summit (HSDS).
See the COPERNICUS Alliance for more information.
Hamburg lernt Nachhaltigkeit (HLN)—Hamburg learns sustainability
The KNU has been a member of the HLN network since 2015. The HLN is an alliance of Hamburg ministries, institutions, associations, networks, and people working in the field Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to coordinate Hamburg’s contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005–2014). After the UN Decade ended, HLN became part of a subsequent 5-year World Programme of Action that the UN initiated under the title Global Action Programme on ESD. Hamburg’s senate continues to support HLN in this context.
See Hamburg lernt Nachhaltigkeit for more information.
Higher Education and Sustainability network
Universities play an exceptionally important role in educating for sustainable development. They are fundamentally responsible for educating future decision-makers. The Higher Education and Sustainability working group addresses this responsibility. The working group was established in the wake of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Several higher education institutions formed an alliance and now regularly organize meetings to exchange ideas on Education for Sustainable Development. Since the 2015 transition from the UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development to the Global Action Programme on Educational Sustainability, higher education institutions have been working together in a network entitled Higher Education and Sustainability. Universität Hamburg actively participates in this network to promote Education for Sustainable Development at the University and network with other universities on its path towards becoming a University for a Sustainable Future. On 19 March 2015, the working group was invited to Hamburg. Over 40 members exchanged ideas and developed shared perspectives.
See the UNESCO ESD in Germany page for more information about the network.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network Germany
The KNU has been a member of this network since September 2018, contributing its thoughts on sustainable development and exchanging ideas about sustainability with the network’s experts throughout Germany.
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Germany—network for sustainable development) was founded in April 2014 by leading German knowledge organizations. It works closely with the UN. The network consolidates the experience, knowledge, and resources of German scientific, economic, and civic organizations to advance sustainable development in Germany, and Germany’s commitment to sustainable development worldwide.
U-MOB network
In 2017 Universität Hamburg became the first German university to join the European Network for Sustainable Mobility at Universities (U-MOB LIFE). U-MOB LIFE is a European project in the context of the LIFE programme funded by the European Commission. Its goal is to significantly reduce universities’ mobility-related CO2 emissions. To do so, they created a European-wide network for exchange and knowledge transfer on sustainable mobility at universities.
In a letter of endorsement (PDF), Universität Hamburg pledged to reduce mobility-related CO2 emissions in the 4 years following the signing of the letter by implementing mobility best practice measures. These include encouraging use of the public transport system, bike and footpath infrastructure while discouraging automobile use.