Goals and Concepts

The University of Greifswald has set itself sustainability goals for its central areas of activity - research, teaching, transfer, and administration - and documents these in its Grundordnung (Basic Regulations) (2003), its Mission Statement (2012), its Climate Protection Strategy (2021), the current University Development Plan (UDP 2026-2030), and in target-specific guidelines.

The photo is a portrait of Rector of the University of Greifswald, Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel, in the Aula
© Wally Pruß
Portrait of the Rector of the University of Greifswald, Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel

Overcoming challenges together

“By passing its ambitious Climate Protection Strategy, the University of Greifswald is showing that commitment towards sustainability requires rigorous implementation of specific action. The extensive debates on this strategy have made it clear that we are faced with immense challenges that we will only be able to overcome (of which I am personally convinced) if we face them together.”

Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel,
Rector of the University of Greifswald

Mission Statement
The University of Greifswald’s Mission Statement sets out its values, mission and vision, and defines its core tasks. In doing so, it strengthens the university’s profile and provides guidance for staff members, students and external partners. The University of Greifswald’s current Mission Statement was adopted by the Rectorate in 2012 on recommendation from the Extended Senate.

University Development Plan
The University Development Plan (UDP) is a multi-year strategy document setting out goals for research, teaching, staffing, and internationalisation. It specifies the plans agreed as part of the target agreement with the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and sets out priorities, timeframes and responsibilities for subject profiles and quality development. The UDP serves as the basis for budgetary, staffing and investment decisions, as well as for funding applications. It is drawn up in a participatory process involving faculties, staff members and students, is proposed by the Rectorate, and adopted by the Academic Senate.

Mission Statement and Guidelines for the sustainable use of agricultural land owned by the University of Greifswald
The guidelines were adopted in 2018 by the Greifswalder Agrarinitiative e.V. (GAI). In the GAI, the University of Greifswald, the Town of Greifswald, and the Peter-Warschow Sammelstiftung have joined forces with the tenant farmers of their agricultural land to establish sustainable farming practices and tenancy arrangements by reducing substances that threaten biodiversity and by providing nature conservation guidance and concepts.

Climate Protection Strategy and Roadmap
The central goal of the University of Greifswald’s Climate Protection Strategy [de] is to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. The strategy was adopted by the Academic Senate in September 2021. It outlines the necessary structures (working groups) and their tasks, and sets out key fields of action.
The Roadmap, adopted by the Academic Senate in July 2024, sets out the specific interim goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and specifies the annual reduction targets for the following sectors: (1) energy, buildings and campus, (2) university-owned property, (3) mobility, and (4) purchasing. 

Steering Group

The Steering Group coordinates the work of the other working groups, consolidates the results and decides on further measures geared towards climate neutrality.

Members of the Steering Group:

  • Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel, Rector
  • Dr. Registrar, Head of Administration and Finance – Spokeswoman for the Purchasing and Contracting Working Group
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Michalik, Pro-Rector for Organisation, Resources and Sustainability
  • Eva Hälke-Plath, Head of the Human Resources Department – Spokeswoman for the Mobility and Logistics Working Group
  • Dr. Peter Rief, Head of the Planning and Facility Management Division – Spokesman for the Energy, Buildings and Campus Working Group
  • Monika Hohlbein, – Spokeswoman for the University-Owned Property Working Group
  • Dr. Stefan Ewert, Chairman of the Sustainability Committee
  • Dr. Tiemo Timmermann, Sustainability Officer
  • Student representatives

Energy, Buildings and Campus Working Group

The university operates over 140 buildings. The aim of the working group is to make building and campus maintenance as sustainable as possible. 

Members of the Energy, Buildings and Campus Working Group:

  • Dr. Peter Rief, Spokesman, Head of the Planning and Facility Management Division – Spokesman for the Energy, Buildings and Campus Working Group
  • Christian Tambach, Head of the Facility Management Department
  • Martin Preissler, energy controlling (including waste management)
  • Uwe Bittermann, member of staff at the University Computer Centre
  • Dr. Christoph Hoffmann, member of the Sustainability Committee
  • Dr. Tiemo Timmermann, Sustainability Officer
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Michalik, Pro-Rector for Organisation, Resources and Sustainability
  • Dr. Christian Winterhalter, Director of the University Library
  • Student representatives

Mobility and Logistics Working Group

The Mobility and Logistics Working Group reviews the guidelines for work-related travel. 

Members of the Mobility and Logistics Working Group:

  • Mike Naujok, Head of the Central Services Department
  • Dr. Juliane Huwe, Registrar, Head of Administration and Finance
  • Eva Hälke-Plath, Head of the Human Resources Department – Spokeswoman for the Mobility and Logistics Working Group
  • N.N., member of staff at the Human Resources Department (work-related travel)
  • Prof. Dr. Susanne Stoll-Kleemann, Professor of Sustainable Geography
  • Dr. Stefan Ewert, member of the Sustainability Committee
  • Dr. Tiemo Timmermann, Sustainability Officer
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Michalik, Pro-Rector for Organisation, Resources and Sustainability
  • Student representatives

University-Owned Property Working Group

As a result of its rich history, the University has extensive land holdings. These should also contribute in a targeted manner to a sustainable university.

Members of the University-Owned Property Working Group:

  • Dr. Juliane Huwe, Registrar, Head of Administration and Finance
  • Wolfgang von Diest, Head of the Corporate Management Division
  • Petra Köster, Head of the Corporate Real Estate Department
  • Prof. Dr. Martin Wilmking, representative of the Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology
  • Prof. Dr. Gerald Kerth, representative of the Zoological Institute and Museum
  • Representative of the Greifswald Mire Centre
  • Monika Hohlbein, – Spokeswoman for the University-Owned Property Working Group
  • Thomas Beil, Representative of the Greifswalder Agrar Initiative
  • Dr. Stefan Ewert, Chairman of the Sustainability Committee
  • Dr. Tiemo Timmermann, Sustainability Officer
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Michalik, Pro-Rector for Organisation, Resources and Sustainability
  • Student representatives

Purchasing and Contracting Working Group

The purchasing and contracting of services and goods for the university account for a significant proportion of its greenhouse gas emissions. There is considerable potential here to use the university’s market power to procure goods and services in a more ecologically and socially sustainable manner.

Members of the Purchasing and Contracting Working Group:

  • Registrar, Head of Administration and Finance – Spokesperson for the Purchasing and Contracting Working Group
  • N.N., member of staff at the Human Resources Department
  • Lutz Schuparis, Head of the Purchasing Department
  • Kati Landsberg, member of staff at the Purchasing Department (IT)
  • N.N., member of the Sustainability Committee
  • Dr. Tiemo Timmermann, Sustainability Officer
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Michalik, Pro-Rector for Organisation, Resources and Sustainability
  • Student representatives