University of Mannheim Honored for Internal Air Travel Policy
This text was translated from German by AI / DeepL Pro.
At the networking event on 15 October, Mayor Christian Specht and First Mayor Prof. Dr. Diana Pretzell presented the Local Green Deal Award for forward-thinking commitment in the areas of climate protection and sustainability. The University of Mannheim received the award for introducing an incentive system to reduce CO₂ emissions from air travel. Since 1 January 2025, the university has levied an internal CO₂ tax on non-European business flights to highlight their climate impact and create incentives for reducing emissions. The revenue generated is then distributed retroactively in equal shares to all chairs, assistant professorships, and departments. Prof. Dr. Moritz Fleischmann, Vice President for Sustainability and International Affairs, and Julia Knittel, Consultant Sustainability Management, accepted the award.
In addition, the student organization INFINITY received an award for its comprehensive sustainability projects, including “MaExchange,” which offers exchange students an affordable and resource-efficient alternative to purchasing household items by lending them out during their stay in Mannheim, as well as “MASecondLove,” which regularly hosts clothing swap parties and workshops on sustainable textile use.
A total of 24 companies, 24 associations, four educational institutions, eight municipal enterprises, and seven organizations were honored at the networking event. In addition to the projects mentioned, these included greening initiatives, sustainable construction projects, photovoltaic systems, and exceptional social engagement. Overall, the City of Mannheim estimates that projects implemented both in the short and long term have so far saved 163,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents, greened or ecologically enhanced 1.25 hectares of land, and reached 40,000 people.
Background on the Local Green Deal
The Local Green Deal in Mannheim supports concrete measures to promote sustainability. Together with citizens, policymakers, government officials, the business community, and researchers, the City of Mannheim is committed to making Mannheim greener, cleaner, and healthier. Through the Local Green Deal, Mannheim is playing a leading role in the European movement toward climate-neutral cities.
More information about the air travel concept: https://www.uni-mannheim.de/en/sustainability/sustainability-in-operations/incentive-scheme-for-business-air-travel/
The INFINITY student organization's projects (in German): https://infinity-mannheim.de/projekte/
Julia Knittel (second from the left) and Prof. Dr Moritz Fleischmann (centre) accept the award
Three students from the student organization INFINITY accept the award from Mayor Christian Specht (left) and First Mayor Prof. Dr. Diana Pretzell (right)