Targeted energy efficiency programs—in combination with the university’s Bonus Scheme for Energy Savings and a Green IT program—have enabled the university to reduce its annual energy consumption by more than 25% (or 42 million kWh) between 2001 and 2011—with floor space remaining stable. Since 2011, energy consumption has remained virtually unchanged—despite an increase in the number of students and a considerable expansion of third-party spending.

Based on the Global Emission Model for Integrated Systems (GEMIS) and the Federal Environmental Agency’s (UBA) emission factors, energy-related greenhouse gas emissions were diminished by about 36% between 2001 and 2017 on a like-for-like basis. When factoring in CO₂-neutral electricity purchases, emissions were even reduced by 81%. As a result, the CO2 equivalent of approximately 1,900 average households has been saved annually since 2011. Thanks in large part to four highly efficient combined heat and power plants and nine photovoltaic systems.