Impact measurement and reporting

The Sustainability Office sees this area developing as follows:

The University of Hamburg possesses comprehensive knowledge about its footprint, handprint, and brainprint.
Data collection is largely automated and based on a standardized system of indicators.
Collected data are presented in legible dashboards that provide transparency and serve as a management tool.
As far as possible, data are publicly available, to encourage information exchange and further development of sustainable practices.

Activities in the field of impact measurement and reporting

Climate reporting

A range of measures is being implemented as part of the impact measurement and reporting activities at the University of Hamburg to measure and document the University’s impact on the environment, society, and the economy.

A key initiative is that of climate reporting, which provides a comprehensive account of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with Scope 1–3 criteria. This does not just represent the direct emissions from the University’s own operations (Scope 1), but also the indirect emissions from energy generation and transport activities (Scopes 2 and 3).

System of indicators

In addition, a system of indicators will be developed to measure the University’s sustainability. This includes the development of a structured basis of data for representing the footprint, including emissions balances and sustainability figures for operations.

This not only captures the negative impacts, such as carbon footprint, but also positive impacts like the handprint (positive effects on the environment and community) and the brainprint (contribution to attaining sustainable development goals through research, teaching, and knowledge exchange).

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

Data are collected and reporting conducted in compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its guidelines. This allows for transparent publication of the University’s sustainability performance, and facilitates comparison with other organizations.

In addition, the University seeks to improve its standing in international comparisons and identify best practices by coordinating and participating in various sustainability rankings, such as the THE Impact Ranking and the QS Sustainability Ranking.

Fahrradfreundlicher Arbeitgeber (Bicycle-friendly employer)

As part of its efforts, the University of Hamburg earned the silver certification in the EU-wide certification for bicycle-friendly employer status by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC). This acknowledges the University’s efforts in supporting cycling as an environmentally friendly alternative to the use of cars. These efforts are also supported by rankings such as THE Impact and QS Sustainability.

In the future, the University plans to improve the visualization of sustainability data through the (further) development of maps and dashboards to increase the transparency and clarity of the information.

Fairtrade University

In addition the University is striving to attain certification as a Fairtrade University, as well as EMAS certification and the Blue Angel label for a climate-neutral Regional Computing Center, to further strengthen its sustainability efforts.

Finally, the university plans to expand its participation in other sustainability rankings, such as the Greenmetric Ranking and the Secondnature Ranking, to solidify its global visibility as a leading sustainable educational institution.