Background
The transport sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany - and therefore a key lever when it comes to achieving climate targets. In 2023, the transport sector caused 22% of Germany's total greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, in contrast to other sectors such as energy and industry, emissions from the transport sector have fallen much less sharply since 1990 [1]. In the Fachhochschule Dortmund's greenhouse gas balance, commuting accounts for around 90% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. This makes the transport sector an important focus for climate-friendly measures at universities.
However, the resulting emissions are not only harmful to the climate. Traffic also causes considerable pollution from air pollutants (e.g. nitrogen oxides, particulate matter) and noise. Both have a direct impact on health and quality of life: increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reduced recreation in residential areas, impaired learning and working conditions [2, 3].
Focal points of the campaign
In the areas of commuting, business trips and business travel as well as student stays abroad, we want to raise awareness of climate-friendly and health-promoting mobility - without regulations or bans. It is not a question of everyone only using bicycles or not going abroad at all. Rather, it is about informed decisions and practicable alternatives, such as carpooling, using bicycles/cargo bikes for shorter distances, consciously considering taking the train instead of flying for business trips or checking whether an appointment in person is really necessary or can be done digitally.
Campaign stands
During the campaign, there will be campaign stands at the university locations where we would like to engage directly with you. The campaign stands will be organized in cooperation with Climate Protection Management, Health Management and the AStA. What can you expect there?
- Bicycle check-up with the ADFC / SQuArE
- Testing different types of bikes (e-bike, cargo bike, folding bike)
- Information on mobility offers at Fachhochschule Dortmund
- Information on CityCycling 2026(Opens in a new tab)
- Information on health(Opens in a new tab)
- Further information
The stands will be set up on Campus Sonnenstraße and Max-Ophüls-Platz in the inner courtyard and on Emil-Figge-Straße in front of the Kostbar. An information stand will be set up on Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Str. for the entire period.
Dates - campaign stands and other events
April 13, 2026 - Campaign stand on Emil-Figge-Straße
April 20, 2026 - Campaign stand at Max-Ophüls-Platz
April 21, 2026 - Campaign stand on Sonnenstrasse
April 23, 2026 - Driver safety training for international students
May 03 - 23, 2026 - CityCycling
June 25, 2026 - Fish bowl discussion on the topic of "Sustainable mobility on campus and beyond"
Mobility offers of the Fachhochschule Dortmund
Fachhochschule Dortmund already offers members of the university a number of mobility services:
- Bicycle repair stations on campus and a bicycle workshop at SQuArE(Opens in a new tab)
- Company bicycles and company e-bikes for employees to borrow
- Directions between the locations
- Public transport and H-Bahn tickets for employees to borrow
- E-car for business trips (for employees with a self-driving permit)
You can find further information on the mobility options here (Opens in a new tab) on the intranet.
Do you have any questions?
Sources
[1] Federal Environment Agency (2025) Climate protection in transport. Available at: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/verkehr/klimaschutz-im-verkehr#rolle(Opens in a new tab) (last accessed on 18.02.2026).
[2] Federal Environment Agency (2025) Emissions from transport. Available at: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/verkehr/emissionen-des-verkehrs#verkehr-belastet-luft-und-klima-minderungsziele-der-bundesregierung(Opens in a new tab) (Last accessed on 18.02.2026).
[3] Federal Environment Agency (2022) Road traffic noise. Available at: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/laerm/verkehrslaerm/strassenverkehrslaerm#geruschbelastung-im-straenverkehr(Opens in a new tab) (Last accessed on 18.02.2026).