11. Usage and Management of Natural Resources

In relation to the following areas, the higher education institution explains the extent to which natural resources are utilised for its operation and the mobility of its members. Furthermore, it describes reduction and efficiency targets relating to resource usage and explains how it intends to achieve these by means of current and future measures.

a) Life cycle of consumables, capital goods and services
b) Circular economy and disposal
c) Mobility
d) Nutrition
e) Energy
f) Water

The collection of data relating to the use of natural resources is an important task within the framework of the Zero Emission concept. All energy-relevant data is recorded and analyzed in the Building Management and Intelligent Energy Systems management unit. The results of the analysis are published on the bulleting board of the management unit and in the sustainability report. As part of the climate protection report for the environmental campus, the current energy and greenhouse gas balance for the areas of stationary energy consumption, mobility, waste, and wastewater. The EMAS core indicators and the GRI standards are also recorded and evaluated at regular intervals as part of sustainability reporting.

a) Life cycle of consumables, capital goods and services

The topic of sustainable procurement is of great importance at the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld. This concerns office equipment as well as computers and laboratory supplies. In order to ensure ecological management in the future, a generally applicable procurement guideline is to be introduced that integrates sustainability-oriented aspects. Part of the procurement is currently handled via framework agreements with the Kaufhaus des Landes (KDL), which has already integrated some sustainability criteria in the selection of products.

b) Circular economy and disposal

Waste prevention and separation is a component of the resource-saving operation of the environmental campus. Through a series of targeted measures, the volume of waste is reduced and waste is collected neatly separated. For example, various separate collection bins for paper, plastic and residual waste are available at many locations. Likewise, used batteries, fluorescent tubes, and emptied containers for ink and toner are collected and fed into a recycling loop as valuable materials. Clean Ups also took place again in 2019, with students getting involved in the campaigns organized by the AStA for a clean campus.

c) Mobility

The aim is not only to reduce energy consumption in operations, but also to look at emissions from mobility services. In this respect, business trips or individual travel to and from the departure routes of students and employees relevant. The environmental campus promotes the use of public transportation with the semester ticket for students or the job ticket for employees. Likewise, three video conference rooms are available on campus to simplify communication, also to international partners, and to reduce flight emissions. To make the necessary business trips more efficient, the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management provides several electric vehicles that are used for daily business trips. The institute is also initiating the mobility project NEMo together with the Birkenfeld municipality to establish a zero-emission mobility center at the environmental campus. As part of a carsharing field test, the construction of a solar carport was completed at the end of 2018. The zero-emissions mobility station consists of twelve parking spaces for carshare as well as private electric vehicles, including the necessary infrastructure consisting of several solar carport modules, fast charging columns and a stationary battery storage system.

d) Nutrition

The sustainability office Green Office has established the vegan breakfast next to the vegetarian Friday in the canteen "Culinaria". Every two weeks, in return for a donation, people can expand their knowledge of vegan, organic and fair products in a cozy atmosphere and simply have a good breakfast. In addition, the Green Office has initiated a food sharing group that accepts and distributes leftover food from events on campus so that no food is wasted.

e) Energy

All technical installations and measures on the campus grounds and in the buildings are intended to demonstrate the Green Campus concept and the Zero Emission concept in a practical way and provide an insight into the practical implementation of modern and sustainable technologies in energy and building management. As the only Zero Emission University in Europe, the campus obtains electricity and heat from renewable resources and is CO2-neutral in this respect.
Detailed information on energy management can be found in the "Green Technologies"
brochure.

f) Water

The environmental campus also relies on modern technologies in the area of resource-conserving water use. The focus is on reducing the amount of drinking water and wastewater as well as on the increased use of rainwater. Rainwater is collected at the campus to relieve pressure on freshwater sources. The rain is channeled into two underground tanks that have a combined capacity of 40 m³. From there, the sanitary facilities are supplied with rainwater for the Toilet flushing supplied. Furthermore, the water circuit of the adsorption refrigeration is connected to the rainwater supply and covered by rainwater. This saves 800 - 1,000 m³ of freshwater per year. To further save water, all WCs are equipped with water-saving buttons and taps with self-closing valves and sensors. In addition, 60% of the urinals have been waterless to date, which means that no water flushes are used, thus saving freshwater.

Detailed information on the campus' resource management network can be found in the chapter "Sustainable resource management" in the current german sustainability report.

Properties, Construction, Open Spaces (Campus Design)

The higher education institution explains how new-builds, extensions, refurbishment, renovations and building operations at the institution are planned and completed in a resource-efficient, climate-friendly way, including the use of renewable energy. This relates to both the way in which building work is completed and the use of space and land, including the impact on biodiversity. Furthermore, the higher education institution should explain whether it manages the buildings itself or uses external service providers.

The higher education institution explains how it designs and manages open spaces (including light smog, noise and surfacing) and how it safeguards and improves the quality of user experience (campus design).

The Green Campus concept of the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld already includes a CO2-neutral energy supply. The communication building, which was completed in 2012, and the sports hall, which opened in 2016, are both particularly energy-efficient buildings that comply with the zero-emissions concept further support and thus represent special highlights within the scope of energy management on campus. As an energy-plus building, the communications building was awarded the "Green House Number" by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in 2018. More than 46,000 square feet of campus grounds are landscaped and offer numerous benches, Flowering meadows, and orchards cozy places to linger for the students and employees. With the help of students, the campus is to be improved in terms of sustainability. For example, due to the commitment of the students, a garden with beds was created, which can be used by staff and students alike for fruit and vegetable growing. Vegetable cultivation can be used. Additionally, during the freshman orientation weeks, annual workshops are held to improve the sustainability aspects of the campus through a wide variety of activities. For example, a herb spiral has already been built, and bee houses for the campus bees have been built by the students themselves.

Since 2019, each workshop has focused on one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To support ecosystem services, the university has also created numerous wetlands on campus grounds, as well as reduced lawn mowing in the flowering meadow areas to provide habitat for insects and microorganisms. In addition, the wetlands are used to collect rainwater, which can then be used in toilet flushing and other processes.

Specific objectives for promoting biodoversity can be found in section 3 "Objectives" of this declaration of conformity. Detailed information on biodiversity on campus and land use can be found in the chapter "Biodiversity at the Birkenfeld Environmental Campus" in the current german sustainability report.

Key Performance Indicators to criteria 11 to 12

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-301-1: Materials used
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total weight or volume of materials that are used to produce and package the organization’s primary products and services during the reporting period, by:
i. non-renewable materials used;
ii. renewable materials used.

As a university, the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld uses materials to a much lesser extent than manufacturing companies. Nevertheless, the sustainable procurement of all materials and office equipment plays an important role and is included in the sustainability principles. anchored. This results, for example, in the priority given to recycled paper, the climate-neutral procurement of heat and electricity, the energy-efficient procurement of computer and laboratory equipment, and the sustainable construction and operation of buildings. A generally applicable procurement guideline is currently being drawn up that will further specify the sustainability criteria in procurement.

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-302-1: Energy consumption
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total fuel consumption within the organization from non-renewable sources, in joules or multiples, and including fuel types used.

b. Total fuel consumption within the organization from renewable sources, in joules or multiples, and including fuel types used.

c. In joules, watt-hours or multiples, the total:
i. electricity consumption
ii. heating consumption
iii. cooling consumption
iv. steam consumption

d. In joules, watt-hours or multiples, the total:
i. electricity sold
ii. heating sold
iii. cooling sold
iv. steam sold

e. Total energy consumption within the organization, in joules or multiples.

f. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

g. Source of the conversion factors used.

As the only "Zero Emission University" in Europe, the campus obtains all its energy from renewable resources and is therefore CO2-neutral. Total energy consumption is made up of electricity and local heating. In the current german sustainability report, energy consumption is quantified and visualized in the chapter "Sustainable Resource Management". It presents the total energy demand in kWh divided into total heating and total electricity demand.
In addition to an explanation of the heating and cooling consumption, the communications building and the sports hall are presented in more detail as showcase projects with high energy efficiency and special ventilation technology.
Only in the area of mobility are fossil fuels still used to some extent, but here, too, the use of renewable energies is being promoted through the expansion of the electric car fleet and the construction of a solar carport at the environmental campus. 

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-302-4: Reduction of energy consumption
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Amount of reductions in energy consumption achieved as a direct result of conservation and efficiency initiatives, in joules or multiples.

b. Types of energy included in the reductions; whether fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, steam, or all.

c. Basis for calculating reductions in energy consumption, such as base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it.

d. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

In order to reduce energy consumption on campus, sustainability targets are regularly defined and their implementation monitored in addition to regular monitoring by the staff of the operations technology department. They serve to exploit the potential of the campus in the areas of energy-saving, energy efficiency, solar energy, biomass, waste, wastewater, and mobility. and to derive measures. In the current german Sustainability Report, the chapter "Sustainable resource management" and "Targets 2020" contains a number of examples as well as specific targets for reducing energy consumption.

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-303-3: Water withdrawal
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total water withdrawal from all areas in megaliters, and a breakdown of this total by the following sources, if applicable:
i. Surface water;
ii. Groundwater;
iii. Seawater;
iv. Produced water;
v. Third-party water.

b. Total water withdrawal from all areas with water stress in megaliters, and a breakdown of this total by the following sources, if applicable:
i. Surface water;
ii. Groundwater;
iii. Seawater;
iv. Produced water;
v. Third-party water, and a breakdown of this total by the withdrawal sources listed in i-iv.

c. A breakdown of total water withdrawal from each of the sources listed in Disclosures 303-3-a and 303-3-b in megaliters by the following categories:
i. Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids);
ii. Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids).

d. Any contextual information necessary to understand how the data have been compiled, such as any standards, methodologies, and assumptions used.

The environmental campus also relies on modern technologies in the area of resource-conserving water use. The focus is on reducing the amount of drinking water and wastewater as well as on the increased use of rainwater. Water consumption is also reduced through water-saving faucets and waterless urinals. Detailed graphs and tables can be found in the current german Sustainability Report in the chapter "Sustainable resource management".

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-306-3: Waste generated
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Total weight of waste generated in metric tons, and a breakdown of this total by composition of the waste.

b. Contextual information necessary to understand the data and how the data has been compiled.

Waste avoidance and separation is a component of the resource-saving operation of the Environmental Campus. Through a series of targeted measures, the volume of waste is reduced and waste is neatly collected separately. Thus, various separate collection containers for paper, plastic and residual waste are available at several locations. Used batteries, fluorescent tubes, and emptied containers for ink and toner are also collected, which feed the recyclable materials into a recycling loop. In the current german Sustainability Report, the handling of waste in the chapter "Sustainable resource management" in more detail.

13. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The higher education institution discloses the extent, type and impact of greenhouse gas emissions and states its targets for reducing emissions and achievements to date.

The Environmental-Campus Birkenfeld is the first "Zero Emission University" in Europe, as the property is completely supplied with renewable energies in terms of heat and electricity. The following figure shows the heat supply of the Umwelt-Campus. In a nearby woodchip-fired combined heat and power plant, heat and electricity are generated from regional waste wood in a climate-neutral and efficient manner using cogeneration. The heat supplies not only all buildings on the university campus but also other neighboring companies via a local heating network. Another component of the energy supply system is an anaerobic digestion plant in which the organic waste of the region, thus also that of the environmental campus, is converted into biogas and valuable compost. Biogas is also used to generate electricity and heat via cogeneration.



The Environmental Campus obtains "green electricity" and also generates about 50% of its electricity needs renewably through large-scale solar installations on the roofs and facades. An ecological building concept and CO2-neutral energy, heating, and cooling supply as well as the latest building and plant technologies offer a unique place to "live, learn and work". Living" at the Environmental Campus is also energy-efficient. The new dormitories were built to low-energy and passive-house standards. The communications building at the Environmental Campus, which is used for conferences and many other events, is an energy-plus building. The building is basically designed as a passive house. The excellent insulation of the building envelope and highly efficient building technology reduce the need for heating energy to a minimum. The remaining primary energy demand of the communications building is overcompensated by an installed photovoltaic system so that arithmetically even more energy is generated than is consumed.
Following the "Living Lab" model, the Environmental Campus is a practical laboratory for sustainability, where students analyze and optimize the installed technologies as part of teaching and research projects.

Detailed information on the UCB's greenhouse gas emissions is provided in the "Sustainable Campus Management" chapter of the 2017/2018 Sustainability Report. New goals are set in the "2020 Goals" to promote sustainable mobility (current german Sustainability Report).

Key Performance Indicators to criteria 13

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-1: Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Gross direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. Gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3 or all.

c. Biogenic CO2 emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

d. Base year for the calculation, if applicable, including:
i. the rationale for choosing it;
ii. emissions in the base year;
iii. the context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions.

e. Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source.

f. Consolidation approach for emissions; whether equity share, financial control, or operational control.

g. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

The methodological basis for determining greenhouse gas emissions is the Grenhouse Gas Protocol and DIN EN ISO 14067:2019. The Environmental Campus Birkenfeld as a "Zero Emission University" has a CO2-neutral heat supply. Due to the climate-neutral local heating supply, which is realized via a nearby wood chip combined heat and power plant, the Scope 1 emissions can be completely avoided except for the remaining fossil share of the service vehicles. Currently, the administration and departments at the environmental campus operate two leased passenger cars with fossil fuel, which together have an annual mileage of approximately 35,000 km. This leads to approx. 6 tons of GHG emissions.

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-2: Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Gross location-based energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. If applicable, gross market-based energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

c. If available, the gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3, or all.

d. Base year for the calculation, if applicable, including:
i. the rationale for choosing it;
ii. emissions in the base year;
iii. the context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions.

e. Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source.

f. Consolidation approach for emissions; whether equity share, financial control, or operational control.

g. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

The Environmental Campus Birkenfeld purchases "green electricity", so that in Scope 2 for the electricity used, no greenhouse gases are released either. In addition, the PV systems on the university's roofs generate over 500 MWh of electricity per year, much of which is fed into the power grid, thus avoiding around 240 tons of CO2.

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-3: Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. Gross other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. If available, the gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3, or all.

c. Biogenic CO2 emissions in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

d. Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions categories and activities included in the calculation.

e. Base year for the calculation, if applicable, including:
i. the rationale for choosing it;
ii. emissions in the base year;
iii. the context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions.

f. Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source.

g. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

A systematic analysis of Scope 3 emissions has not yet been carried out, but is to be prepared in the new climate protection concept for the Environmental Campus. In the area of employee and student mobility, there are initial incentives to reduce the carbon footprint via the job or semester ticket and carpooling services.

Key Performance Indicator GRI SRS-305-5: Reduction of GHG emissions
The reporting organization shall report the following information:

a. GHG emissions reduced as a direct result of reduction initiatives, in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

b. Gases included in the calculation; whether CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3, or all.

c. Base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it.

d. Scopes in which reductions took place; whether direct (Scope 1), energy indirect (Scope 2), and/or other indirect (Scope 3).

e. Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used.

In the german 2017/2018 Sustainability Report,are a number of examples of GHG emissions reductions in the "Sustainable Campus Management" chapter and in the "2020 Goals" chapters, in the current report, that leads to carbon footprint reductions.