Universities can actively contribute to climate protection. The innovative learning programme ATTUNE supports universities in reducing their negative impact on the climate and thus becoming more sustainable. All members of the university community are empowered to take action.
University life goes beyond formal education. Universities are not only places where people come together to study and work. Rather, they have an impact on many other areas in the region where they are located. These include, for example, leisure and sport, mobility, consumer behaviour and nutrition. The university therefore has a significant influence on climate change and thus a social responsibility to keep it as low as possible.
From knowledge to action
Universities impart knowledge and conduct research. In addition, they should contribute to educating students to become responsible members of society. By encouraging participation and changing climate-damaging habits, they contribute to building a more just and sustainable society. In the ATTUNE project (Activate the University against Climate Change), information is provided on climate change issues. On the other hand, measures are implemented in the areas of energy, mobility, food, waste and procurement. They are adapted to the needs of each university so that all members can take action against climate change in their daily lives.
University members become agents of change
ATTUNE promotes and encourages all members of the university community to act sustainably: In a first step, students, faculty and other staff reflect on their own activities and are empowered to reduce their own carbon footprint. In a second step, they form research and action teams that propose and evaluate measures to reduce the university’s carbon footprint. Adapting the measures to the respective needs of the university and involving all its members enables a “change from within” that leads to permanently effective changes.
Networking at local, national and European level
The programme connects faculties and campuses within the participating universities as well as universities with each other on a local, national and European level through the use of a digital platform. Project results can be easily quantified and the impact of sustainability measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be compared across countries. ATTUNE is being tested simultaneously at universities in Spain, Germany, Turkey, Italy and Poland.
The following GAP members are involved in the project: GAP Spain, agado, InEuropa, GAP Poland, Mikado. Up-to-date information about the project can be found on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and the project website.
(c) Photos: Universidad del Pais Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea & University of Hildesheim
