In response to student organizing and a demand for more sustainable infrastructure, NYU Berlin began implementing a multi-phase action plan to ‘green’ their campus in 2011 . NYU Berlin hosts plastic-free and zero-waste events, providing organic, locally sourced food and increasing their plant-based and meat free options. Off campus, NYU Berlin only utilizes trains and buses for student travel, hosting travel workshops every semester to encourage students to visit more train-accessible locations. NYU Berlin makes the program accessible to the community by inviting refugees and local high school and college students to join their day trips and extracurricular activities. In addition to reducing their carbon footprint, these trips allows students to deepen their cultural understanding, and fully appreciate Berlin’s diverse communities and perspectives.

NYU Berlin’s excellence in sustainability aligns with the sustainability efforts of Berlin and Germany as a whole, a country that’s consistently been at the forefront of global sustainability initiatives in a world increasingly affected by climate change. Just as student voices prompted change at NYU Berlin’s campus, Berlin’s history of green forward thinking was ignited by the voices of young environmentalists like UfaFabrik. These student groups and young activists galvanized support around sustainability in the 1970s, and have been active in Berlin’s climate efforts ever since. Today, Berlin is one of many cities to commit to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Berlin has proven that economic growth and progressive climate goals don’t need to be at odds. Through an increase in energy efficiency, Berlin has experienced a development boom and a reduction in their CO2 emissions simultaneously. As members of the Covenant of Mayors, Berlin and 6500 other European countries have pledged to go further than the EU on climate protection – challenging themselves and others to do more for the future of our planet. NYU Berlin is currently developing an urban garden for refugee welcome centers, and organizing tree plantings for local student organizations, so stay tuned!

 

Danke and Auf Wiedersehen!

Thank you to Gabriella Etmektsoglou for the information on NYU Berlin