SUSTAINABILITY IS MORE THAN JUST CLIMATE PROTECTION
Offsetting CO2 emissions? Of course! But that's not enough for us. As an institution of higher education, sustainability matters to us: Accessible education for everyone, regardless of their background, enables us to live more sustainably – and together, protect our planet. The pursuit of a healthy and intact environment and society is the benchmark for our behaviour, teaching, and research.
OUR INSTITUTION: SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE
Environmental Protection
Our goal is to act sustainably and protect the environment. We also aim to inspire our faculty and students to join us in preserving our planet and working towards a better tomorrow.
Social Responsibility
We strive to contribute to a fair global development by providing flexible access to education for people around the world.
Sustainable Education
From teaching to research, sustainable education is important to us at all levels. In doing so, we actively shape a future-oriented and just society – both locally and globally.
SUSTAINABLE THROUGH EDUCATION
People and entire societies grow through individual education, and everyone deserves the same opportunities.
Developing countries lack the know-how and financial resources. As the initiator and academic partner of the Study Access Alliance Africa, we provide people with the opportunity for higher education: With 100,000 scholarships for online degrees. This is an important first step towards diversity and equality, but it is only the beginning. As an institution committed to sustainability, our goal is even greater.
Learn moreFIRST MOVER, NOT ONLY IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR!
Among the first environmental advocates
As the first certified climate-neutral online institution of higher education nationwide, we have been teaching and working in a climate-neutral manner since 2020. This is confirmed by TÜV Süd according to the international specification PAS 2060.
Lower CO2 emissions thanks to digital learning model
With our predominantly digital educational offerings, we significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional educational institutions.
HIGHER EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY
By supporting innovative climate protection projects through our partner "ClimatePartner," we contribute to mitigating climate change while improving the quality of life in various communities. Our projects are in line with the United Nations' goals, particularly Goal No. 3: Good Health and Well-being.
QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE COOKING IN ZAMBIA
In Zambia, daily cooking over an open fire poses an invisible threat to health and the environment. Household air is often polluted, which poses serious health risks. However, there are climate protection projects that offer hope. We support an initiative that distributes more sustainable stoves across Zambia. This creates valuable local jobs, and around 45,000 families discover a more environmentally friendly way of cooking each year. The efficient use of biomass drastically reduces greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions. For a better life and a cleaner environment in Zambia.
300 t CO2e offset to cover our CCF for 2023; Certification standard: Gold Standard
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ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER IN MALAWI
In sub-Saharan Africa, contaminated drinking water is one of the most common causes of death. Clean water is often difficult to access, which is why many families have to boil their water. This produces smoke, which leads to eye and respiratory diseases – especially affecting women and children. IU supports a project that maintains and repairs defective wells or builds new ones when necessary. People gain access to clean drinking water without having to boil it. This saves CO2 emissions from boiling over an open fire and at the same time improves living conditions and protects local forests.
9,275 t CO2e offset to cover our CCF for 2023; Certification standard: Gold Standard
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EFFICIENT STOVES TO PREVENT DEFORESTATION IN UGANDA
In Uganda, we support a project that helps the population switch from cooking over an open fire to modern stoves. This has a triple positive impact: charcoal consumption decreases, people's health improves, and fewer forests are cut down as less wood or charcoal is needed for cooking. It reduces CO2 emissions and improves air quality in households. In this way, we contribute to the protection of the environment as well as the health of the people in Uganda.
7,950 t CO2e offset to cover our CCF for 2023; Certification standard: Gold Standard
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EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH SOLAR ENERGY AND CLEAN WATER IN INDIA
Solar lamps and water filters can change the lives of women in India: they can keep their businesses open longer or produce clean drinking water at home. They also save on charcoal costs and can repay loans faster. IU supports a project that enables women to finance such tools, giving them an economic perspective. In addition, the women regularly meet in self-help groups to support each other or travel to nearby villages as energy demonstrators to encourage more women. Each group also has an energy manager who provides after-sales support if needed. In this way, they promote the shared path to a sustainable future.
9,275 t CO2e offset to cover our CCF for 2023; Certification standard: Gold Standard
Learn morePUZZLE PIECE: REBUILDING
DIGITAL FIRST.
Not an end in itself, but an important tool for conserving and rebuilding our environment. Our students can actively contribute to sustainable development: For every fifth saved printout of study materials, we plant a tree!
39.208 Planted trees
331.649 saved printouts
NEXT GENERATION
ALUMNUS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The IU Alumni Award in the category "Sustainability" was presented to Lars Holger Engelhard in 2022 to honour his outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the sustainable development of the shipping industry. As an alumnus of our university, Lars, through his company Unleash Future Boats GmbH, has developed innovative solutions to significantly reduce emissions in the shipping industry. The award not only recognizes his technological breakthrough but also his commitment to positively transform the shipping industry and make a substantial contribution to climate protection.
Lars deeply impressed the jury of the IU Alumni Award with his vision to reduce the share of CO2 emissions from European shipping from 3.7% to 0.0%. He and his team have developed emission-free, autonomous ships with electric propulsion and fuel cells, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional, environmentally harmful vessels. Lars' company, Unleash Future Boats GmbH, has already received several prestigious awards for its groundbreaking solutions, underlining his relevance and the positive impact of his work.
The IU Alumni Award acknowledges Lars' exceptional merits and serves as an inspiration for the next generation of alumni to also contribute to a sustainable future.
Discover the full success story here.
Find more alumni winners in the categories of Professional Success, Entrepreneurship, Digital Education Development, and Special Mention here:
Learn moreB CORP CERTIFICATION
WE MADE IT!
IU Group (IUG) is a certified B Corporation following the successful completion of an audit process by the independent non-profit organization B Lab, signifying that IUG meets high standards in terms of social and environmental impact.
Learn moreEVENT TIP
At IU, we place great importance not only on promoting cutting-edge research but also on enabling active knowledge exchange.
Our conferences are the ideal place where experts from research and practice come together. For example, in November 2023, the "Symposium Sustainable Media & Brand Management - Sustainable Media Strategies for Value-based Brand Leadership" took place at IU International University of Applied Sciences. Based on a research project, it was a resounding success: Over 100 scientists, media, and branding professionals gathered in Hamburg on November 8th and 9th. Conclusion: The topic of sustainability has made its way into media and branding.
Learn moreAny Questions? Bring them on.
Alex Caicics, Head of Sustainability at IU Group
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