The University of Graz was founded in 1585 and is the second oldest university and one of the largest institutions of higher education in Austria. Numerous outstanding scientists, among them six Nobel Prize winners, have taught and researched here. With about 30,000 students and more than 4,000 employees, the University of Graz makes an essential contribution to the vibrant life in and around the University region. Thanks to its geopolitical location, close to the borders to Hungary and Slovenia, the University of Graz is an important gateway to South-Eastern Europe and promotes lively scientific, economic and cultural exchange with this region.

The University of Graz initiated its proactive sustainability efforts by signing the COPERNICUS Charta in 1995. In 2007 the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria was founded which fosters interaction between university and society by following a transdisciplinary approach. In 2009 "Sustainability4U" was established – a regional cooperation model including all four universities in the city of Graz. Furthermore, University of Graz is part of the "Austrian Alliance of Sustainable Universities" and the initiative "UniNEtZ".

In 2016, the university achieved validation for its environmental management systems EMAS and ISO 14001. In 2022, the university's rectorate set the ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040. The Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change developed and introduced the concept of "Institutional Carbon Management" (ICM) to facilitate this endeavor.

 

Contacts

► Ralph Zettl, Director of Resources and Planning | Email
► Filippina Risopoulos-Pichler, Research associate | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
► Barbara Motschiunig, EMAS Coordinator | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

► Websites of Sustainable University of Graz and Climate neutral Uni Graz