News
SchokoladenFairkostung
Neuigkeit vom 3. Juli 2026
Fast 400 Hochschulangehörige haben in den vergangenen Wochen an der Abstimmung zur neuen Fairtrade-Schokolade der TU Bergakademie Freiberg teilgenommen und ihre Favoriten gewählt. Gewonnen haben die dunkle Schokolade sowie die Sorte Cashewnougat mit Wiesenblüten.
Am 16. Juni 2026 konnten Studierende und Mitarbeitende im Foyer der Neuen Mensa verschiedene Fairtrade-Schokoladen des Herstellers Zotter verkosten. Weitere Abstimmungen fanden anschließend in der Universitätsverwaltung sowie im Rahmen der Veranstaltung zur feierlichen Übergabe der Deutschlandstipendien statt.
Neben der Verkostung informierten die AG Umwelt, das Projekt EURECA-PRO und die Initiative Fairtrade Town Freiberg über fairen Handel, nachhaltigen Konsum und die Bewerbung der TUBAF als Fairtrade-University.
Das Abstimmungsergebnis
🥇 1. Platz: 70 % Dunkle Schokolade Nicaragua, vegan – 160 Stimmen
🥈 2. Platz: Cashewnougat mit Wiesenblüten – 139 Stimmen
🥉 3. Platz: Erdbeer – 114 Stimmen
4. Platz: Kaffee – 94 Stimmen / 5. Platz: Mandel-Rosen – 67 Stimmen / 6. Platz: 40 % Milchschokolade Dominikanische Republik – 57 Stimmen / 7. Platz: Weiße Kokos, vegan – 53 Stimmen / 8. Platz: Karamell – 50 Stimmen
Die beiden Sieger-Sorten – 70 % Dunkle Schokolade Nicaragua (vegan) und Cashewnougat mit Wiesenblüten – werden künftig als TUBAF-Schokoladen das Merchandising-Angebot der Universität ergänzen. Die Schokoladen von Zotter sind Fairtrade-zertifiziert, in Bio-Qualität hergestellt und werden nach dem Bean-to-Bar-Prinzip produziert.
Mit der SchokoladenFairkostung setzt die TU Bergakademie Freiberg ein weiteres Zeichen für nachhaltigen Konsum und fairen Handel. Gleichzeitig war die Aktion auch ein Baustein auf dem Weg zur Fairtrade-University.
Die Universität bedankt sich herzlich bei allen Teilnehmenden, die mit ihrer Stimme zum Erfolg der Aktion beigetragen haben.
Green Office opens at TUBAF
News from 11 June 2026
Without much fanfare, but with clear objectives, the Green Office was opened at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg on 11 June 2026. The new point of contact for sustainability and environmental issues on campus will in future be run by TUBAF students and supported in collaboration with the Prorectorate for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship.
The first meeting already focused on specific topics. Among other things, discussions centred on existing wildflower meadows and questions regarding the ecologically sound mowing of meadow areas on campus. Wildflower meadows and meadow areas contribute to biodiversity and the ecological enhancement of the campus.
During lecture period, the Green Office holds an open consultation hour every second Thursday of the month from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm in room 1.08 of the main university building. Anyone interested is welcome to come along with their questions, ideas and suggestions regarding environmental issues and sustainability on campus.
The team looks forward to active collaboration and new ideas for a more sustainable campus.
Contact:
Green Office at TU Bergakademie Freiberg
Email: greenoffice [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (greenoffice[at]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Closing conference in Eberswalde
News from 23 April 2026
The closing conference of the ‘Future Forum for Climate-Friendly Universities’ project took place on 17 April 2026 at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). It marked the degree of the three-year project and provided an opportunity to look back, consolidate findings and discuss how to embed climate protection and sustainability at the 15 participating universities.
Representing the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Professor Christiane Scharf accepted the certificate marking the completion of the project at the closing conference. She is a professor of metallurgy and recycling of high-tech metals at the Faculty of Materials Science and Materials Technology, supported the project as part of the ZKH task force and is now a member of the Rector’s Commission on Sustainability.
High turnout at the action workshop in June
News from 6 August 2025
There was high praise for the high turnout of university members from all staff categories at the action workshop held as part of the ‘Future Forum: Climate-Friendly Universities’ on 18 June 2025 at the SIZ in Freiberg: More than 30 students, lecturers, PhD candidates and administrative staff helped decide on the most promising measures. The basis for this was a catalogue comprising more than 40 measures, which was drawn up on the basis of the status quo report, the potential analysis and the numerous suggestions put forward by members of the university community. From this, the workshop participants identified key measures which, in the next step, will be further developed into detailed action plans and roadmaps for greater sustainability and will ultimately be incorporated into the future climate protection strategy.
Introduction to the Cycling Working Group and its self-help workshop
News from 23 June 2025
As part of the ZKH project, a digital ideas box on climate protection and sustainability was set up, which has since received numerous suggestions and requests. In some cases, it became apparent that what had been proposed already existed, albeit under a different name, with a slightly different focus, in an unexpected location, or similar. As an example of this, we would like to highlight the request for a bicycle self-help workshop and, on this occasion, introduce the Cycling Working Group:
The Bicycle Working Group operates under the umbrella of the Student Council at TU Bergakademie Freiberg and is therefore a student-run working group. In addition to regular outings – e.g. to the Velocium trade fair – and a bicycle hire service, the members are dedicated to the maintenance and repair of bicycles. A first-class, fully-equipped workshop is available for this purpose. Here you’ll find not only the right tools and equipment, but also cycling-enthusiast students and staff.
The self-help workshop is located in the courtyard of the Julius-Weisbach Building and is open every Tuesday from 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm and on Thursdays from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Appointments at the DIY workshop can also be booked via OPAL. At every session, at least one experienced mechanic from the AG Fahrrad will be on hand to provide support with tools and useful tips.
As a member of the AG Fahrrad, you can also get involved in the further development of cycling at TUBAF through the regular meetings.
If you have any questions, the AG Fahrrad is happy to help, either in person or via ag-fahrrad [at] stura [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (ag-fahrrad[at]stura[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de).
Initial analysis of the ideas box on climate protection and sustainability - Photovoltaic systems lead the way
News from 17 June 2025
After just over two months, the digital ideas box on climate protection and sustainability at TUBAF has already been used 130 times. The most popular submissions are those concerning ‘photovoltaic systems on university buildings’. This topic clearly holds particular interest for members of our university; at the same time, on closer inspection, it proves to be unexpectedly complex, which has so far demonstrably hindered the pace and scale of such projects. Against this background, the Prorectorate for Sustainability and Communication would like to explain why the university’s buildings do not yet have any photovoltaic systems and whether this is likely to change in the future.
A crucial point to highlight: the vast majority of university buildings are not owned by TUBAF, but by the Free State of Saxony. The Free State, in turn, makes the land and buildings available to its universities – including TUBAF – free of charge so that they can fulfil their statutory duties. However, Saxony’s universities do not act as building contractors. Rather, the provision of premises for the university and the management of the properties are the responsibility of the state-owned enterprise Sächsisches Immobilien- und Baumanagement (SIB), which operates under the Saxon State Ministry of Finance. Consequently, the university’s scope for making alterations to the buildings it uses is severely restricted.
In this respect, the (climate) strategy pursued by the Free State is of fundamental importance in the present context. Saxony’s state administration is to operate largely climate-neutrally by 2040 – according to the ‘Master Plan for a Climate-Conscious State Administration’, which the Saxon Cabinet adopted in July 2024. As over 80 per cent of the state administration’s greenhouse gas emissions result from the use of electricity, heating and cooling in the more than 1,500 buildings across over 800 properties owned by the Free State, targeted measures are to be developed and implemented in the buildings and property sector to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions – including, in particular, the increased use of renewable energy. For this reason, since 2023, the authorities, educational institutions and other properties of the Free State of Saxony have been supplied 100 per cent with electricity from renewable energy sources. To this end, the SIB conducted a Europe-wide tender, as a result of which two companies operating regionally in Saxony were awarded contracts for a period of three years.
In addition, newbuildings – provided the necessary funds are available – are to be constructed from the outset with provision for photovoltaic systems. With regard to the use of existingbuildings, the SIB has carried out a potential analysis of all properties and buildings within its area of responsibility that are potentially suitable for photovoltaic systems. To this end, the Solar Potential Register published by the Saxon Energy Agency (SAENA) was used, which maps suitable roofs in the Free State of Saxony and their potential electricity yield. By cross-referencing this with the SIB’s building database, an overview was obtained of the PV potential of the roof areas of buildings within the SIB’s area of responsibility. Based on this, a step-by-step assessment and utilisation of the existing roofs with the greatest potential is now underway. However, further legal regulations may complicate implementation: In particular, the Renewable Energy Sources Act prevents the SIB, in most cases, from feeding more than 100 kWp peak power per building connection into the upstream grid, as anyone generating more electricity is classified as a power station operator or direct marketer. The SIB is not, however, set up for the commercial sale of electricity. Furthermore, the utility currently pays only 8 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity fed into the grid, whilst self-consumption can save up to approximately 30 cents in electricity costs. The primary aim is therefore to cover self-consumption. However, purely internal consumption in turn requires appropriate technical measures, such as switching off the system at weekends. The involvement of external operators can provide a solution in some cases, but in return entails specific liability risks.
Unfortunately, the problems do not end there: in the case of the existing buildings made available to TUBAF, an additional challenge is that, for the most part, they cannot be retrofitted with photovoltaic systems for structural reasons.
Given the considerable restrictions that become apparent on closer inspection, it is all the more encouraging that TUBAF, too, can hope for photovoltaic systems : As a pilot project, a photovoltaic system is to be installed on the roof of the ZeH first, for which the design plans are already being drawn up by the SIB. Furthermore, as part of the refurbishment of the Clemens-Winkler-Bau, a system is to be installed on its roof.
So although the obstacles are greater than they might appear at first glance, things are moving forward in this area too. And given the importance already attached to this issue, it is to be hoped that further projects will follow on from the two initial projects mentioned.
Register now for the action workshop on 4 July 2025!
Dear TUBAF members,
we are delighted to be able to take the next important step towards developing our university’s climate protection strategy together with you: We cordially invite you to the
Action Workshop
on Friday, 4 July 2025, from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm
(the venue is subject to the number of registrations and will therefore be announced in due course)
As part of the ‘Future Forum for Climate-Friendly Universities (zkh)’, with the aim of reducing emissions by 10 per cent by 2026. Over the past few months, we have analysed existing climate protection activities and sources of emissions, consulted you via the ‘Ideas Box’ and, based on this, drawn up a catalogue of measures. In the workshop, we will present key findings and work with you to determine which measures should be implemented and incorporated into the climate protection plan. The zkh team will facilitate the event using interactive methods.
Anyone interested is warmly invited! The participation of all staff groups (university management, academic staff, administration, research and teaching staff, and students) is expressly encouraged.
If you are interested in taking part, please register by 18 June 2025 at zkh-tubaf [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (zkh-tubaf[at]tu-freiberg[dot]de).
QR codes in the canteen leading to the ideas box on climate protection and sustainability
News from 8 May 2025
On 8 April, as part of the “Future Forum for Climate-Friendly Universities (ZKH)”, a digital suggestion box was created, enabling members of the university to contribute to the development of measures. Today – exactly one month later – the box has already been used 116 times and suggestions have been received from all staff and student groups at the university. Some submissions consist of single keywords, whilst others are longer texts and even include several suggestions.
To reach even more students and staff, the Prorectorate for Sustainability and Communication has now placed QR codes with links to the ideas box on the canteen tables. Whizz out your mobile and get typing whilst you enjoy the canteen’s culinary offerings – we’re keen to hear YOUR ideas for a more sustainable university!
Call for ideas on a more sustainable university
Press release dated 8 April 2025
The “Future Forum for Climate-Friendly Universities (ZKH)” project really picked up momentum again in 2025. The aim of the project is to draw up a climate protection plan within the project’s timeframe, which is to provide, in particular, for comprehensive measures in Action Area 1 of the Whole Institution Approach: ‘Operations and Campus Management’. Implementing the measures set out in the climate protection plan is expected to reduce the university’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 per cent.
To achieve this goal, the next step is to identify and subsequently implement effective measures. The university’s internal task force supporting the project has drafted an initial catalogue of measures, which will be progressively supplemented through stakeholder rounds, bilateral discussions and the involvement of all university members. To facilitate the latter, a digital ideas box has been created, enabling university members to contribute to the identification of measures.
Towards a sustainable campus: TUBAF develops climate protection strategy
Press release dated 22 May 2024
The TU Bergakademie Freiberg is one of 15 universities in the Future Forum for Climate-Friendly Universities (ZKH). Students, staff and lecturers are working on a climate protection plan and mapping out the path towards a sustainable campus. Over the next three years, the funding will cover training, consultancy and networking opportunities. The aim is to reduce the university’s own greenhouse gas emissions by at least ten per cent. In addition, a university-specific climate protection plan is to be developed and implemented.
Note
You are welcome to send us information about projects, initiatives, etc., so that they can be featured on this page.
Contact: zkh-tubaf [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (zkh-tubaf[at]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
