Professor Günter M. Ziegler, president of Freie Universität Berlin, explained the rationale behind the new climate protection fund: “Climate protection and biodiversity remain a top priority for us, even if the latest austerity policies have not made it easy for us. Our determination is bolstered by knowing just how dedicated our students and employees are in this field. That is why we are sticking to the principle of every ton of CO₂ that we consume being one ton too many. We hope to send a clear message with the new climate protection fund and invite every member of our community to join forces and contribute to achieving these goals for a better future. Our previous efforts to save energy have been a resounding success – and not just for the climate. By taking targeted actions in the area of energy efficiency we have managed to reduce our energy consumption by thirty-two percent since 2001. Without these savings our energy bill last year would have been seven-and-a-half million euros more expensive – money that we desperately need given our current financial situation.”

Climate protection and biodiversity will continue to play a crucial role in sustainable research, teaching, and campus operations, as set out in the university’s Sustainability Mission Statement in 2016 and the Climate Emergency Declaration in 2019. Freie Universität Berlin is one of the few institutions of higher education in Germany that publishes sustainability reports, environmental declarations, and SDG reports at regular intervals and whose environmental management has received Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) certification.

Over the last two-and-a-half years the university has managed to significantly reduce its CO₂ emissions with targeted measures. However, CO₂ emissions amounting to about 9,000 tons are still expected for 2026. Taking this figure as a basis, Freie Universität Berlin should be able to invest about 270,000 euros per year in futureproofing thanks to the new internal climate protection fund. Projects in areas such as campus infrastructure, biodiversity, sustainable mobility, education, and participatory sustainability will be eligible for funding. A cross-departmental working group will use transparent criteria to identify challenging projects to be supported by the climate protection fund in the future.