Climate protection in BW: New managers for green university projects!

Climate protection in BW: New managers for green university projects!

After an intensive week, Baden-Württemberg's Science Minister Theresia Bauer recently spoke out. In a statement that caused a stir, she remarked: “If a professor climbs the tree, there must be something to it.” This comment came as part of a new initiative to promote climate protection at universities in the country. The ministries have now decided to create staff positions for climate protection managers at several universities, with two of these positions benefiting the RWU (Ravensburg-Weingarten University), which has already made initial progress in saving energy. Measures already implemented include turning down thermostats and closing windows to reduce energy consumption.

But what is the tree campaign all about? The state official Ertel emphasized that changes in the area of ​​climate protection are only possible from outside. Public relations and spectacular forms of protest are essential to bring about sustainable change. On September 10, 2021, Ertel and a colleague received a criminal order for an unregistered public meeting dedicated to climate protection. Six months later, Ertel was sentenced to a fine of 4,000 euros, while the public prosecutor insisted on 10,000 euros. However, the proceedings came to an end on May 13, 2025 due to the insignificance and the costs were borne by the state treasury.

Successes in climate protection

For Ertel, this “second-class acquittal” is less a setback than a confirmation. He believes that the tree campaign has achieved more than ten years of bureaucratic efforts. In the future, he plans to use the “Scientists for Future” initiative to confront the mayor. He has promised climate neutrality by 2040. In order to achieve this goal, Ertel has already calculated that the city would have to save 13.3 percent of its CO2 emissions annually. After all, electricity and gas consumption has remained disproportionately high over the past five years.

Climate protection managers as key players

But what exactly is a climate protection manager? According to the guidelines for municipal climate protection, the tasks of climate protection managers include, among other things, the strategic anchoring of climate protection in local government and the integration of climate protection goals into core processes. You take on complex tasks that include both internal administrative tasks and the coordination of measures. These employees are the link between various actors that are relevant to climate protection and therefore make a decisive contribution to the implementation of projects.

Effective climate protection management requires in-depth technical knowledge of climate change as well as technical know-how. Experience in project management and communication skills are also required. If municipalities bring this expertise in-house, they can also increase their funding projects many times over, as a study shows, which shows that municipalities with active climate protection management make greater progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. So what could be more important for our environment and the climate than investing in skilled workers for climate protection?

A positive trend is emerging: the newly created positions could trigger a wave of measures that both benefit the environment and strengthen the municipal sector. Away with the old braids and in with new ideas! It remains exciting to see how this process will develop.