For a more livable campus. For better recycling. For your employees, students and the residents in Linz Auhof. For future generations.

The Johannes Kepler University is fully committed to sustainable living. The university is living up to its responsibility by initiating and supporting projects that focus on living and working together in a sustainable way. And these projects are growing and flourishing here at JKU campus!

The JKU as a Climate Alliance Company

Climate check of all buildings and facilities at the JKU, operational goals to save energy and reduce CO² , continual education opportunities, and much more. The JKU is voluntarily committed to the Climate Alliance and has become actively involved in climate protection and sustainability. As a university, the JKU has an exemplary and pioneering role and we aim to be an example in our sphere of influence.

The Climate Alliance is Europe's largest municipal climate protection network. In Austria, over 960 municipalities, 520 educational institutions, 35 parishes and over 1,000 businesses have joined the partnership.

Green Mobility JKU Campus

Better air quality, more peace and quiet, enjoying green spaces, and improving your health... There are many reasons to "switch over" right now and use your bike, a JKU City Bike, a tim electric rental car, or the tram, which stops at JKU practically right on your doorstep! Whether you just need to get from one end of campus to the other, commute to the JKU every day, plan a trip into the city or a business trip, grab one of our sustainable means of transportation available at the JKU campus.

From Plastic Waste to Frisbee!

Trendy frisbees made out of old bottle caps in the LIT Factory at the JKU. This project illustrates a circular economy in polymer technologies, and you can play an active role! You will find bottle cap collection boxes all around the JKU campus. Drop your old bottle caps in there! You can a frisbee made out of recycled bottle caps at the JKU Merchandise Shop in the Kepler Hall.

A Circular University - ARA Plus Project

Digitized trash cans and a solar-powered trash compactor - these are just two examples of sustainable waste systems that will be making their way onto the JKU campus.

Do I have to wash plastic containers out? Why don't tissues go in the paper trash? This project aims to raise awareness among our approximately 23,000 campus users about the right way to recycle.

Honey made at the JKU

Fancy a little something sweet from campus? At the end of August 2021, the JKU will sell its own first-ever, on-campus produced honey at the Johannes Kepler University Merchandise Shop! With the support of Raiffeisen Oberösterreich, around 250,000 busy bees moved into five hives on campus and have been toiling away since. The first set of honey was harvested by Rector Meinhard Lukas himself.

Dry Meadows, Wetland Biotopes - Biodiversity and Species Diversity at the JKU

There is a paradise for insects and small animals between the Science Park buildings at the JKU. Biodiversity and species diversity - a vital mission for the JKU as a "stepping stone" between an open natural landscape and a more dense cityscape.

Gardening near the JKU Campus

Morgentau Gärten is Austria's largest organic DIY garden project and JKU students can get a €20 discount when booking a garden plot!

The Morgentau Campus is located on Mengerstraße, right next to the university! The garden plots vary in size between 20, 40 and 60 m² plots and there are gardening tools, a water connection, and expert assistance available to guarantee an abundant harvest, even if you’re just a beginner! This award-winning, nature-based urban city garden program is sustainable and becoming increasingly popular!

Self-Guided Campus Tour with Sustainability Stations

An herb garden, mint field, edible hedges, 100-year-old oak trees, and more! Grab your smartphone and walk around campus to discover sustainability at the JKU. Have fun discovering & nibbling!

Gentle Giants - Tree Diversity at the JKU Campus

A giant sequoia, 100-year-old oaks, sky-high plane trees. The variety of trees on the JKU campus is amazing, inviting you to take a walk and explore it for yourself on campus or online: The City of Linz's tree registry lists them all of them by name, age, height, trunk circumference and canopy diameter. Just enter "Altenberger Straße 69", click on a tree, and on "i" for information.

"WeFair" Day at the Johannes Kepler University

The JKU will host "WeFair" Day in the fall of 2021. This is a teaser for the popular fair of the same name that takes place each year during October in Linz and supports being together in a sustainable way. The fair focuses on fair-trade fashion, personal health, being environmentally conscious, and, above all, trying out amazing food. There is also an event at the Kepler Salon that will focus on issues pertaining to a sustainable and ecological lifestyle. 

"WeFair Day" at the JKU will take place in cooperation with the Climate Alliance Upper Austria, the JJKU Austrian Student Union Office for Climate Protection & Sustainability, and Scientists for Future. 

Farmer's Market in front of the Kepler Hall

Eggs, cider, vegetables, fruit, meat and much more - regional and sold directly by local growers! Once per quarter, up to ten farmers from the surrounding area will sell their specialties at the JKU Market. The market is not only a symbol of regional diversity and sustainability, it is also a place to meet up and chat with others.

Upcoming dates for 2023:

• March, 30
• May, 11
• October, 11

JKU Austrian Student Union Office for Climate Protection & Sustainability

Using their social media channels, representatives at the JKU Austrian Student Union continuously provide information about climate protection and sustainability issues. The JKU Austrian Student Union also hosts a "Climate Roundtable" each month. They also organize a number of presentation, lectures, and events.

Alliance of Sustainable Universities

The Alliance of Sustainable Universities is joining forces to pool resources and raise awareness in regard to sustainability. These concepts are also reflected in the JKU's educational programs and research as well as in its social commitment and the way operations are managed at the Johannes Kepler University. 

Our YouTube channel features statements about just how the JKU is supporting this initiative:

Mag. Maria Buchmayr,, opens an external URL in a new window Sustainability Officer at the JKU (YouTube video)

Univ. Prof. Dr. Ernst Langthaler, , opens an external URL in a new windowJKU Institute for Social & Economic History (YouTube video)

Univ. Prof. Dr. Erika Wagner,, opens an external URL in a new window JKU Institute for Environmental Law (YouTube video)

Assoz.Univ. Prof. Dr. Veronika Wittmann, opens an external URL in a new window, JKU Institute for Cultural Economics & Research (YouTube video)

Scientists for Future

Scientists4Future is a movement organized by academics and scientists, most of them being active academics/scientists themselves from various backgrounds and disciplines. The common goal is to support the demands as outlined in the "for Future" groups and provide scientific facts and information.

Approximately 140 scientists in Upper Austria are currently actively involved; 83 of those supporters are at the JKU.