htw saar is a public-law corporation. As a state-run institution, it cannot act independently under building regulations, since the buildings it uses are owned by the state and overarching framework agreements—such as those governing energy or procurement—determine its scope of action.
Within this framework, however, the university consciously fosters a social environment. As a campus-based institution, it requires space and mobility. People come together on campus to learn, work, and spend time, thereby bringing vitality to the surrounding areas. This dynamic also extends into the neighborhood. htw saar actively reaches out to the community, for example through the “University in the City” initiative, under which the university participated in the state capital’s “Sommerstraßen 2025” project and opened the campus avenue for cultural events. The htw saar’s dining halls are also meeting places for students, staff, and external guests of different generations. Such forms of community cannot be replaced in the digital space.
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University operations are inextricably linked to resource consumption. Electricity, drinking water, heat, fuels, IT infrastructure, and built-up areas are necessary to enable teaching, research, and administration. The construction and maintenance of libraries, laboratories, lecture halls, and office buildings generate significant CO2 emissions. At the same time, universities train skilled professionals and develop solutions that are urgently needed for sustainable and societal transformation. It is therefore crucial to consciously shape university operations through energy conservation, renewable energy generation, sustainable mobility, digital solutions, responsible procurement, and a thoughtful approach to materials and media. In this way, the unavoidable ecological footprint becomes the starting point for responsible action.
Energy consumption at htw saar is systematically recorded and transferred to the BayCalc monitoring tool. This creates transparency and a robust foundation for identifying potential savings, reviewing progress, and continuously refining measures. The Campus Management and University Services Department is responsible for the sustainable management of heating, electricity, and water supply as well as building management. It develops energy-saving measures and optimizes the use of renewable energy. The University Construction and Campus Development Office ensures that new construction and renovations are carried out in accordance with ecological standards. Together with the Sustainability Division, Campus Management works to continuously reduce the university’s carbon footprint and increase the energy efficiency of all campuses.
htw saar is also directly affected by the consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures and extreme weather require adjustments to building operations to ensure a healthy learning and working environment. In addition to heating and cooling, this includes providing portable fans, free drinking water, and flexible work-from-home policies during periods of extreme heat and black ice. These measures demonstrate that sustainable action requires a balance between health protection and resource conservation. Climate adaptation therefore necessitates forward-looking concepts that combine ecological, social, and economic sustainability. The following section examines the future of campus development at the Alt-Saarbrücken site and presents initial consumption figures as well as details on the mobility concept.
