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Sustainability at the Goethe-Institut in Germany

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability can only be achieved through global societal change. The 12 Goethe-Instituts in Germany are also contributing to this effort and would like to open up new perspectives on sustainability and provide further impetus.

Clear goals for sustainability

Our commitment to sustainability is guided by the United Nations' environmental, social and economic sustainable development goals (SDGs). We are making a significant contribution to achieving the goals in the areas of climate protection, gender equality and sustainable processes. Our work is intended to contribute to the German Sustainability Strategy.

66% of management positions held by women

Sub-goal 5.5 calls for the full and effective participation of women and their equal opportunities to assume leadership roles at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The proportion of women in management positions serves as the measurement value.

The Goethe-Instituts in Germany are making a measurable contribution to this goal, with 66 percent of their management positions held by women.
(As of 05/2025)

SDG 5

21% reduction in CO2 emissions

Sub-goal 13.2 calls for the integration of measures against climate change into policy and planning. Annual greenhouse gas emissions are a key indicator of this.

By reducing their CO2 emissions (Scope 2: electricity and heat) by 21 percent in recent years, the 12 Goethe-Institutes in Germany have been able to contribute to this fundamental goal.
(Reduction period 2021/2022)

Measures to combat climate change

Sustainability report in accordance with the German Sustainability Code

Sub-goal 12.6 aims in particular to encourage large and transnational companies to adopt sustainable practices and include sustainability information in their reporting.

Against this backdrop, the Goethe-Institut, as a globally operating organisation with 151 locations in 98 countries, has compiled a sustainability report covering the entire institution. The report has been prepared in accordance with the German Sustainability Code (DNK) and can be measured against the performance indicators of the Global Reporting Initiative.

SDG 12

Commitment to sustainable procurement

Sub-goal 12.7 aims to promote sustainable public procurement in line with national regulations and priorities.

As a public institution, the Goethe-Institut adheres to the central principles of public procurement law in its procurement activities. They focus on creating competition and promoting the principles of economic efficiency. In addition, we have imposed guidelines on ourselves to ensure that all procurement is needs-based, environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

SDG 12

Projects at the Goethe-Instituts in Germany

The 12 Goethe-Institut locations in Germany and their employees live and breathe sustainability in their everyday work. Many of the locations have reduced their paper consumption and comply with environmental certifications. A no-plastic policy is also intended to make consumption more environmentally friendly. Here you can gain an insight into individual projects:

  • All Goethe-Institut locations in Germany

    Environmentally conscious use of paper

    Only certified paper that is 100 percent recycled is used for printing jobs. In addition, attention is paid to the use of environmentally friendly settings and the reusability of waste paper.
     

    © Mahen Rin / Unsplash © Mahen Rin / Unsplash

  • Goethe-Institut Freiburg

    Generation of solar power

    The Goethe-Institut Freiburg generates around 21,000 kWh of electricity from photovoltaic systems every year. This covers approximately 35 percent of the location's energy needs. The location is thus making an important contribution to the development of sustainable energy.

    © Kay Dittner / Unsplash © Kay Dittner / Unsplash

  • Goethe-Institut Dresden, Düsseldorf and Göttingen

    Sustainability in leisure time

    Not only the Goethe-Institut, but also our course participants are interested in questions surrounding sustainability. At selected Goethe-Institut locations, sustainability topics are therefore integrated into the cultural and leisure programme and put into practice.

The content of this page has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States. For more information on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, please visit: www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment

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