JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas and Maria Buchmayr (JKU Office of Sustainability) were delighted to officially receive the Climate Alliance certificate. The JKU has been committed to sustainable practices for many years, practices that include honey bees on campus, an innovative “circular university” waste management system, a cafeteria that serves organic meals, JKU city bikes, WeFair Day, energy-efficient construction for new and renovated building, conducting research in the field of polymer technologies, and supporting a circular economy. Stefan Kaineder (regional parliament member for Climate Affairs) and Norbert Rainer (head of Climate Alliance of Upper Austria) honored the university’s commitment to climate protection by presenting Rector Lukas and Maria Buchmayr with a Climate Alliance certificate recognizing the JKU as Austria’s first university to be honored as a Climate Alliance company.

Stefan Kaineder (regional parliament member for Climate Affairs) remarked: "I am very pleased that the JKU is Austria’s first university to receive Climate Alliance certificate. Our educational institutions, especially all of the universities, will contribute significantly to transforming industry and business to become more climate-neutral. The JKU - with its 22,000+ students, 3,600 employees, and Rector Meinhard Lukas at the helm - understands we are facing major challenges when it comes to combating the climate crisis. Joining the Climate Alliance network sends a strong signal."

JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas added: "I would like to thank Stefan Kaineder for the award as a Climate Alliance company and can assure everyone that in the future, university life at the JKU will continue to be shaped in the spirit of this award. The JKU takes responsibility by initiating and supporting projects that tackle issues in sustainability and life-worthy interactions head-on. A large number of these projects – ranging from beehives on campus and serving organic food at the cafeteria to the JKU city bike program - are thriving and growing in popularity at the JKU campus. As a university, we voluntarily support the Climate Alliance and on multiple levels, we aim to actively embrace our responsibilities in support of sustainability and climate protection. The award as a Climate Alliance company is an additional incentive to continue along this path."

Norbert Rainer, Climate Alliance Upper Austria, continued: "I am very pleased to welcome Johannes Kepler University Linz as Austria’s first university to join the Climate Alliance network. This goes to show that climate protection is not only important when it comes to research and teaching, but also in everyday operations at the university. This is in line with our motto 'Think globally, act locally'."

Maria Buchmayr, JKU Office for Sustainability, stated further: "I am pleased that the JKU is now a part of one of the largest community climate protection networks in Europe. As a member of the Climate Alliance, the JKU is making a statement that demonstrates its commitment to climate protection and sustainable development, issues that are important to a modern university and also serve to make us a role model. At the same time, the network offers many opportunities for collaboration and joint projects."

As a ‘first mover’, the JKU does not intend to rest on its laurels. Various campus projects and plans will feature climate-friendly aspects at the forefront. The JKU has set a goal to be climate-neutral by 2030.