“I even have an extra wool vest in the office”

OÖN: What motivates more to be more sustainable – the climate crisis or electricity prices?

Maria Buchmayr: Sustainability consists of several factors: ecology, society and social contexts. All of that has to fit together. However, the high electricity prices make it easier to implement some measures, it has to be said.

With a power consumption of 21 million kilowatt hours, the JKU is quite a power guzzler. What do you do to save electricity?

The temperature in offices was reduced to 21 degrees and in lecture halls to 19 degrees. In summer, the air conditioning is throttled and from 10 p.m. only the emergency lighting is switched on. Ventilation is also deactivated between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

And that works?

It is not yet possible to precisely predict the impact. We assume that the measures will result in savings of 15 to 20 percent. These were made in the interest of electricity prices, but of course they also serve sustainability.

However, employees and students will not be enthusiastic about the drop in temperature.

It may be unfamiliar, but it helps us all. We originally wanted to reduce it to 19 degrees in offices, but that gets very cold, especially if you work sitting down all day. So it’s now 21 degrees, which is perceived as pleasant. And if it should be too cold: I even have an extra wool vest in the office.

The JKU wants to be climate-neutral by 2030. How do you want to achieve that?

Solar systems are planned. The conversion is not a single activity, it is made up of many individual ones in the areas of procurement and consumption of heat, electricity and mobility. We have been part of the climate alliance communities for three years. We have planted wildflower meadows and promoted biodiversity and introduced a new waste management system.

What is Circular University?

This is a cooperation with ARAplus. We have also purchased solar-powered “smart waste bins” that send emails about the level or emptying intervals. If you want to be a sustainable university, you have to set an example.

Three new plastics studies will soon start at the JKU. What are your expectations?

It’s about how we deal with plastic, how we pollute the environment as little as possible. I have very high expectations because I can see how important this topic is to young people. These studies will produce experts who will make progress.

Feronia Prize

Together with the state of Upper Austria, OÖN and Oberbank are looking for the best sustainability initiatives and award the Feronia Prize. Registrations until February 4th at nachrichten.at/feronia