Ongoing projects
Current Green Office projects (selection)
Colorful Post-Its on a white poster
Image: brands&people
We work on various smaller and larger projects and support existing initiatives or campaigns. The aim of our projects is to integrate the topic of sustainability in its various facets more strongly into everyday university life and to bring together the various players within the university in the (subject) area|field of sustainability. In doing so, we always have the implementation of the university's sustainability strategy in mind, which was adopted in December 2023.
On this page you will find a selection of our current activities.
You can also find the latest dates in the events calendar and receive them directly in your inbox via our newsletter!
Click here to view the events calendar.
You can subscribe to the Green Office newsletter here.External link
Greenhouse gas accounting
Two sprouting plants
Image: Francesco GallarottiWhat is greenhouse gas accounting?
Greenhouse gas accounting (also known as CO₂ accounting or carbon accounting) is the process by which the quantity of climate-damaging greenhouse gases generated directly or indirectly by the activities of a company, organisation, local authority or product is is systematically recorded and quantified.
What is included in the assessment?
- The greenhouse gas emissions of the University for the years 2024 and 2025 are included in the inventory. The greenhouse gas inventory covers all units over which the University of Jena has operational control. Entities such as the UKJ, the ThULB, the USV and the student services organization are excluded from the greenhouse gas inventory.
- The subject areas in which emissions are accounted for are divided into three scopes.
- Scope 1 covers emissions generated directly within the organisation through the combustion of fossil fuels in its own facilities or through its own vehicle fleet (direct emissions).
- Scope 2 covers emissions arising from the purchase and consumption of externally generated energy such as electricity, district heating, steam or cooling (indirect emissions).
- Scope 3 relates to upstream and downstream emissions. Examples include business travel|business trips and commuting, procurement, water supply and wastewater, waste, capital goods and leased fixed assets.
- What is precisely included in the emissions inventory depends both on the previously defined system boundaries and on materiality. To determine materiality, the following four criteria are used in accordance with the BayCalc Guideline[FH1]External link (2025):
- Order of magnitude (contribution of the emission source to total emissions)
- Degree of influence (the institution of higher education’s direct and indirect influence on the volume of emissions)
- Data availability (effort required to collect the data)
- Relevance (relevance of the emission source to stakeholders)
Why do we need greenhouse gas accounting?
We have committed ourselves to the Climate Protection Strategy and the follow-up project on ‘regular greenhouse gas accounting’.
- Requirement for implementing the climate protection strategy and land management
- A requirement for an application for funding for measures
- A requirement for monitoring sustainability targets
Mobility survey
In order to assess the commuting patterns of staff and students, it is necessary to carry out a mobility survey. This is expected to take place in early November 2026.
Project progress
Current progress: as at 28 September 2026: 35 per cent.
[FH1]External linkLink to BayCalc guideline: BayCalc-Guideline-2.1-24 November 2025.pdfExternal link
Progress bar (greenhouse gas accounting)
ThULB Clothes Swap Party: Swap instead of buying new
Stand with clothes for exchange in the reception area of the University of Jena
Image: Pauline HäßlerOn 11 November 2026, we warmly invite you to a clothes swap party in the exhibition space of the Thuringian University and State Library (ThULB). Bring along clothes in good condition, discover new favourites and find out more at various information stands about sustainable fashion consumption and the impact of the fast-fashion industry.
The event is organised by the Green Office at the University of Jena in collaboration with the Peace Foundation e. V. Erfurt, the Jena Climate Protection Agency, the Jena Water Authority, Jena City Council and the Department of Urban Development and the Environment.
Here’s what’s in store:
- 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm: Clothes swap party and information stands on sustainability and the fashion industry
- From 6 pm: Free screening of ‘The True Costs of the Fashion Industry’ (approx. 40 minutes), followed by a discussion
- Until 8.00 pm: Time for a chat and to round off the evening together
Come along, swap instead of buying new, and join us in sending a message in favour of a more conscious approach to clothing and resources. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sustainability Week: 15 June – 19 June 2026
Motiv Nachhaltigkeitswoche 2026
Image: Adobe StockSustainability Week organised by the Universityof Jena’s Green Office , featuring activities for students and staff centred on sustainability. The events, running from 15 June to 19 June, include a variety of formats such as workshops, talks, hands-on activities, information sessions and networking events.
Come along and find out about the various sustainable initiatives at your university!
More information at: sustainability-week-15-19-june-2026 de
‘Nachhall’ as a monthly exchange meeting
One hand holds a megaphone from which various symbols associated with sustainability are emitted.
Image: Adobe Stock, KatsyarinaSince the winter semester 24/25, the Green Office has been hosting a monthly ‘Nachhall’ event during the lecture period – an active break with sustainable discussions. All members of the university are cordially invited!
This low-threshold exchange is intended to draw attention to sustainable projects at the university. It also aims to encourage members of the university community to work together sustainably.
This supports goals T.1.1 and G.2.2.1 of the sustainability strategy.
Sustainable project checks
The sustainable project cheques enable all students and student initiatives to implement their own projects at the university. Individuals or groups can apply. The Friends and Sponsors of the University of Jena support the selected projects with up to 1,000 euros. The Green Office supports and accompanies the sponsored projects during implementation.
This project pursues goal G.2.2.4 of the sustainability strategy.
More information on the project checks
Urban Gardening Project in Schillers Gardenhouse
Urban Gardening Projekt in Schillers Gartenhaus
Image: Frederik SelleWe want to create a meeting place by growing healthy food. In doing so, we are promoting sustainable, communal gardening in the city. In addition to gardening together, knowledge can be shared here and, above all, ideas exchanged on topics such as gardening, the environment and nutrition. The city garden project is a green meeting place for everyone.
This project addresses objectives B.5.1 and B.5.2 of the sustainability strategy.
Sustainable mobility
The Green Office regularly supports various campaigns and projects related to sustainable mobility. These projects support goals G.2.2, B.3.1 and T.2.2 of the sustainability strategy. For example:
Part of the university team for City Cycling 2024
Image: Mario ImiellaSTADTRADELN Jena
We support the STADTRADELN Jena campaign and invite all members and affiliates of the university to become part of our university team. The Green Office is promoting the campaign within the university and coordinating the university's participation.
In STADTRADELN Jena 2024, our ‘Team University of Jena’ came in sixth place with 136 active cyclists and 24,217 kilometres cycled.
We will be participating again in STADTRADELN 2025 and have prepared several accompanying activities:
- All students and staff are cordially invited to join the ‘Friedrich Schiller University’ team.
- We are giving away 3x 1 bike coding at ADFC Jena-Saaletal e.V. among all team members.
- On 29 August 2025, ADFC Jena-Saaletal e.V. is organising a road safety training course. The Green Office will cover the participation fee for up to six university members.
Fabian Löber from the University of Jena's Green Offce (left) with the ADFC Jena-Saaletal e.V. workshop team during the bicycle repair day at the Ernst-Abbe-Platz campus on 6 May 2024
Image: Thomas Heller/Universität JenaBicycle Repair Day
Every semester, we organise bicycle repair days on the Ernst-Abbe-Platz campus in collaboration with ADFC Jena-Saaletal. Students and staff can receive free assistance with repairing their bicycles.
The next event will be in the winter semester 2025/26.
Here is a review of the bicycle repair day in May 2024.
Jenarad hire bike on Jena's market square in front of the Hanfried monument.
Image: Henryk SchmidtJenarad bike sharing service
We currently support the free Jenarad bike sharing service, which is run on a voluntary basis by Fabian Monheim and is now back on track after a start-up phase a few years ago. In the project, Fabian refurbishes old, discarded bicycles to make them roadworthy and suitable for riding, and makes them available to borrow free of charge via a website.
The Green Office supports the project by providing new stickers to label the rental bikes.
Organisation of the Senate Working Group on Sustainability
Every two months, the Senate Working Group on Sustainability meets to discuss new developments and strategic aspects of sustainability at our university. The Green Office is responsible for preparing and following up on the meetings.
This support enables the implementation of goal G.1.1.1 of the sustainability strategy.
More information on the Senate Working Group on Sustainability