For many years, the University of St.Gallen (HSG) has been pursuing the goal of making its campus more sustainable – with notable success. Thanks to the commitment of numerous stakeholders, innovative measures have been implemented that are having a positive ecological, social, and economic impact.
The HSG Building & Technology team, led by Markus Steiner, plays a central role in terms of ecological sustainability. As the unit responsible for operating and maintaining the HSG properties, it has implemented numerous sustainability measures in recent years, including classic operational optimisation and modernisation measures for heating and ventilation systems, sophisticated measures for saving water and innovative solutions such as lowering room temperature without compromising comfort.
The results of these measures are impressive, especially when it comes to energy consumption on campus. It has been reduced by more than a third over the last ten years – despite a nearly 40 % increase in the number of students during the same period. According to Steiner, the lower consumption is not only a measure of active climate protection. It makes financial sense, too. He is particularly proud that HSG has significantly exceeded the cantonal energy reduction targets for the 2014-2024 period, making the University a leader among large energy consumers in the canton of St.Gallen.
When covering the remaining electricity demand, the University always considers the environment. It has been sourcing 100 % certified hydroelectric power for several years now. Apart from that, several new solar power systems have been installed in recent years, most recently on the roofs of the sports hall and the Executive Campus HSG, the latter being operated by St.Gallen's municipal utility company. Together, the two installations produce approximately 280’000 kWh of green electricity per year, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of over 90 average Swiss two-person households.
The two solar installations are a clear example of effective collaboration among different stakeholders. Students from the Master's certificate programme in Managing Climate Solutions assessed the roofs of all HSG buildings as part of a project in 2021, identifying the sports hall and the Executive Campus HSG as particularly suitable. For the sports hall, students also played a significant role in planning and implementing the installation by successfully setting up a crowd investment campaign to finance it.
These measures are part of a broad, decentralised commitment within HSG. In many areas, different teams take deliberate steps towards ecological sustainability, inclusion and diversity: the facility management service follows environmental standards when procuring consumables and recycling waste; HSG's gardeners manage the outdoor areas in accordance with certified biodiversity principles; buildings are built and renovated, ensuring that consideration is given to accessibility; and based on the initiative of the Universa student association, free menstrual products have been available in the women's toilets since mid-2023. The Executive Campus HSG has also made impressive progress in terms of environmental sustainability, social responsibility and regional engagement, earning the ibex fairstay certification at the end of 2024.
External partners are also involved in sustainability efforts: Since 2024, Migros, as the University canteen operator, has been marking its daily meals with the Menu Sustainability Index (MNI). This index was developed by ZHAW and makes the environmental friendliness and nutritional balance of the dishes visible at a glance, helping to support informed dietary choices.
The progress made so far shows that the joint commitment of various HSG stakeholders is having an impact – ecologically, economically and socially. At the same time, making campus operations more sustainable remains an ongoing task. For example, energy efficiency efforts are increasingly reaching technical limits, requiring more complex and cost-intensive measures. "We continue our efforts and want to become even better," emphasises Markus Steiner. Another step towards the University’s net-zero goal and an important milestone will be the scheduled replacement of the Main Building’s remaining gas heating system in a few years. Beyond that, the new Campus Platztor with the implementation of the “Tsumiki” concept will serve as a model for construction projects in the post-fossil fuel era.
