Sustainability at USTP
It starts with you
Sustainability starts with questions. And with people who find answers to them.
USTP’s first Sustainability Report shows how we realise sustainability in teaching, research, and university operations.
This one-pager summarises the most important points of the Sustainability Report 2025 and gives insights into USTP’s sustainability-related activities, key figures, and development goals.
The Many Perspectives of Sustainability
Sustainability affects many areas of the university. These include teaching and learning, research and innovation, the campus and its operations, social issues, and governance. The Sustainability Report shows how these topics are being implemented at USTP and where further steps are planned.
1. Teaching & Learning
How can people develop the knowledge and skills to play an active role in shaping the future?
Sustainability-related content is taught at USTP across various academic departments, as well as through cross-disciplinary teaching and open-format modules. In Living Labs, project-based courses and collaborations with businesses, public institutions, and civil society organisations, students work on specific, real-world issues.
One key area of development is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), which is to be more firmly anchored within degree programmes as a cross-cutting topic – with specific content and innovative teaching formats. Interdisciplinary formats such as iLab support students in developing solutions to societal and global challenges.
Copyright: Orin D'hauwer
2. Research & Innovation
Which issues demand new solutions?
USTP carries out application-oriented research projects addressing issues of societal relevance. The topics range from digitalisation and technological innovation, through health and social inclusion, to sustainable mobility and resource-efficient production and economic systems.
3. Campus & Operations
How is sustainability reflected in campus operations?
Among other things, USTP relies on solar power, the switch to LED lighting, and technical optimisations to use energy more efficiently.
Mobility also plays an important role, as it accounts for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Most students already travel sustainably: 80% travel to USTP by public transport, by bike, or on foot.
The aim is to create a campus that is more environmentally and socially sustainable – and one that offers an attractive, inclusive environment for students, staff, and external partners.
4. Social Aspect
How can we create an environment in which people can participate and develop?
Sustainability is also reflected in the way people learn and work together at USTP. This includes diversity, equal opportunities, health, safe working conditions, and a healthy work-life balance.
USTP is committed to a working and learning environment that offers equal opportunities to everyone. Students benefit from a wide range of information, advice, and support services throughout their studies.
Equal opportunities are also reflected in leadership: Around 48% of management positions are held by women, which means that USTP has exceeded its target of at least 40%.
5. Governance
How can we establish structures for responsible and transparent collaboration?
Governance describes how responsibility, decision-making processes, and rules are organised within USTP. This includes transparent structures, clear responsibilities, reliable reporting channels, and compliance tools.
This creates the framework for embedding sustainability in the university’s development in the long term. USTP builds on this: The USTP Sustainability Roadmap is designed to embed sustainability in the strategy as well.
Photo: Rauchecker Photography
Where Do We Stand?
The Sustainability Report documents the current status of sustainability work at USTP. It sets out the data, measures, and structures that are already in place, and the areas in which the university is continuing its work.
The report was drawn up in accordance with the voluntary European VSME standard. An overarching sustainability strategy with binding ESG targets is currently under development.
By mid-2027, USTP will have developed and implemented a sustainability strategy. This strategy is intended to define ESG indicators, be integrated into the university’s overall strategy, and lay the foundations for regular monitoring and reporting.
Sustainability Report 2025
The full report contains further key figures, measures, and information on USTP’s sustainability reporting.
