The sustainability governance at KIT aims to support the further development of the sustainability strategy and the implementation of the established goals. In addition, it strengthens implementation projects, promotes exchange and participation within KIT, and ensures connections to other KIT bodies. In this way, it contributes to greater impact and to transparent communication on sustainability topics and activities.
The sustainability governance consists of
- two committees, the Sustainability Steering Committee (N-LK) and the Sustainability Forum (N-FO), as well as
- an implementation level (Sustainability Implementation / Projects (N-IP)).
The Vice President Digitalization and Sustainability, Prof. Dr. Kora Kristof, is responsible for the sustainability governance. The Sustainability Office (SO) coordinates the implementation of projects and supports the sustainability committees.
Sustainability Steering Committee (N-LK)
The Sustainability Steering Committee (N-LK) is the strategic committee for sustainability at KIT. It comprises members of the first and second executive level as well as representatives of the Sustainability Forum (N-FO). It meets twice a year.
The N-LK
- is responsible for further developing the sustainability strategy,
- discusses strategic goals, projects, and strategic directions,
- prioritizes proposals for new activities and projects, and
- continuously reviews the progress and impact of the projects.
The meeting minutes are made available to all KIT employees and KIT students on the intranet.
Composition of the committee
The N-LK consists of
- the Executive Board,
- the Head of Divisions,
- the Heads of Service Divisions,
- the Head of the Sustainability Office (SO),
- four delegates from the N-FO,
- permanent guests from the relevant Business and Staff Units
- and, if applicable, other topic-specific guests.
A list of N-LK members is available to KIT employees and KIT students on the intranet.
The committee is chaired by the Vice President Digitalization and Sustainability, Prof. Dr. Kora Kristof.
Sustainability Forum (N-FO)
The Sustainability Forum (N-FO) is the participatory committee for sustainability at KIT. It incorporates the perspectives of the KIT Senate, KIT's sustainability expertise from research and Executive Board Departments, as well as representative KIT staff and students. It meets four times a year.
The N-FO
- develops new project ideas,
- discusses and prioritizes key topics,
- thereby supports the implementation of the sustainability strategy, and
- supports the N-LK, to which it also sends four members, through input, feedback, and advice.
The meeting minutes are made available to all KIT employees and KIT students on the intranet.
The N-FO, as a broadly composed body, replaces the Roundtable on Sustainability. Before, the Roundtable on Sustainability had served as a provisional sustainability body and internal discussion platform for refining sustainability issues in science and administration.
Composition of the committee
The N-FO consists of 6 groups:
- Management level: Vice President for Digitalization and Sustainability, one Head of Division, one Head of Service Division, the Head of the Sustainability Office (SO)
- Eleven representatives for the status groups of the KIT Senate (Senate members nominated for the task or persons appointed by the Senate)
- Twelve staff representatives selected at random to be representative of age, gender, and status group
- Six student representatives (two representatives from the Students union (AStA) and four randomly selected students)
- Four representatives for the interface with social sustainability (one representative each from the Staff Council (PR), Equal Opportunities (CHG), Gender and Diversity Management (CDM), and for the Twin Transformation (Digital Office (DO))
- Permanent guests from scientific institutions, KIT Centers, and service units relevant to sustainability issues. Additional guests may be invited depending on the topic.
Members of N-FO are appointed for a period of two years (staff) or one year (students). A list of N-FO members is available on the intranet for KIT employees and KIT students.
The committee is chaired by the Vice President Digitalization and Sustainability, Prof. Dr. Kora Kristof.
Implementation in Projects
Sustainability activities at KIT are primarily implemented in projects. Strategically significant implementation projects are bundled within the level of Sustainability Implementation/ Projects (N-IP). This supports the committees in implementing KIT’s sustainability goals. The projects are designed to be lean and impact-oriented. Project participants are specifically involved based on their responsibilities, expertise, or through assignment by the N-LK. Adjustments can be made flexibly. In addition to KIT’s strategic sustainability projects, existing, centrally initiated, and prioritized sustainability initiatives can also be associated within the N-IP.
The Sustainability Office is responsible for the operational coordination and supports the projects in their implementation. It is also responsible for streamlined monitoring.
Selection and Funding of Projects
The initiation and selection of projects assigned to the N-IP are based on clear criteria. New project ideas are discussed and further developed in the N-FO. The N-LK assesses the strategic relevance of projects and their funding, especially if additional expenditures are required.