Sustainability on the EUREF-Campus Berlin

Sustainability

Sustainability is the foundation of our actions.
As the European Energy Forum, we carry the energy transition in our name. We are a reference project in the European and international space – for the feasibility and affordability of the energy transition. A forum on energy, mobility, and sustainability, which serves as a blueprint for the carbon-neutral world of tomorrow.

Our interest does not end with the construction of the EUREF-Campus; it begins there. Sustainable maintenance, utilization, and reinvention are essential components.

At the EUREF-Campus Berlin, everything revolves around the topics of energy and mobility transition, climate protection, environmental conservation, and sustainability. The vision is lived in every area and by every employee of the EUREF-Group.

EUREF Mission

With a strong community, we are proving that the transition to sustainable mobility and energy is both feasible and affordable.

CO₂-neutral since 2014

The EUREF Campus Berlin has been meeting the German government’s CO₂ climate goals for 2045 since 2014.

View the certificate (English)

EUREF-DNA

What makes the concept of the “EUREF Campus” unique?

With a view to the construction of the second EUREF-Campus in Düsseldorf, as well as the expansion to additional locations, it was important for us to document our success factors and thus the DNA behind the European Energy Forum.

Green Buildings
The EUREF Campus constructs energy-efficient buildings and minimizes land sealing. Energy conservation is central to climate protection.
Climate goals
The EUREF-Campus already meets the climate goals of 2045.
Location
The intelligent energy and mobility concepts of the EUREF-Campus are integrated into the geographical and historical context.
Future Mobility
The EUREF-Campus is a platform for innovative mobility concepts.
Smart & local Integration
The intelligent energy and mobility concepts of the EUREF-Campus are integrated into the geographical and historical context.
Smart Energy
The EUREF-Campus primarily utilizes local, CO2-neutral energy sources and aims for self-sufficiency from renewable sources.
Sustainable Events
The EUREF-Campus offers high-quality, sustainable events and gastronomy concepts.
Talent Pool
The EUREF-Campus collaborates with universities for further education, master’s programs, and qualification measures in the field of energy transition.
Green Facility Management
The EUREF-Campus prioritizes environmentally exemplary facility management, including advanced waste and recycling concepts.
EUREF Community
The EUREF-community includes businesses and institutes that focus on energy transition, mobility, and climate protection
Work-Life-Balance
The EUREF-Campus promotes a balanced work-life environment through its atmosphere, sustainable gastronomy options, sports facilities, and community events.

The EUREF Campuses in Berlin and Düsseldorf are flagship projects of the energy transition: they not only already meet the German government’s CO₂ climate protection goals for 2045 but also ensure energy security by being independent of coal, oil, and gas. Our new constructions meet the highest energy standards (KfW 55).

Reinhard MüllerEUREF-founder, Member of the Board

We are not only a great place to work, study, and conduct research, but also internationally renowned for curating high-profile corporate and political events with a clear focus on sustainability, mobility, and climate protection. Our SMB certification and the upcoming ISO certification support this direction.

Sarah-Maria AmelerMember of the Board, Managing Director EUREF Event

We firmly believe in the importance of sustainable project development. At the EUREF-Campus, we advocate for environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic stability to promote a livable future.

Kevin HauertMember of the Board, Managing Director EUREF-Service

The EUREF Campus in Berlin and Düsseldorf embodies sustainable construction principles from the outset. Excavated soil is repurposed, local materials are employed, and reforestation follows clearances. Regenerative building technologies and eco-friendly products are standard. Facility management is integrated from the early stages of construction to ensure sustainable building operations.

Heribert GüntherManaging Director EUREF-Consulting (Construction Management)

Our holistic approach encompasses all aspects: As project developers, we consider the location and accessibility of our buildings for environmentally conscious mobility behavior. As architects, we design buildings with long-term usable layouts and select materials with modularity and durability. Additionally, as property managers, we think comprehensively about energy supply, maintenance, and operation to minimize environmental impact.

Johannes TücksManaging Director EUREF-Consulting (Architecture), Chief Architect

As chefs, we place great emphasis on sustainability by collaborating closely with local suppliers to create diverse, product-oriented dishes. We carefully monitor and adjust our production quantities daily to avoid overproduction and reduce food waste.

Thomas KammeierManaging Director EUREF-Event, Culinary Director

Sustainable Development Goals

Environmental Protection & Energy Concept

In addition to the classic four-pillar principle, the EUREF-Group naturally also considers the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Agenda 2030 with its 17 goals is a global plan to promote sustainable peace and prosperity and protect our planet.

The EUREF-Campus Berlin pursues the following goals:

Environmental Protection & Energy Transition

Our Contribution to Environmental Protection & Energy Transition:

Energy Concept: The Energy Workshop
Heritage Conservation & Sustainability
Smart Transportation Concept
Electric Mobility
EUREF Campus Sharing Services
Species Conservation

Society: The EUREF-Community

Our Contribution to the Community/Society:

Promotion of Young Talent
Collaborations
Security
Information & Exchange
Networking
Work-Life Balance
Culinary Landscape
Mobility

Economy: Sustainable and Responsible Business Practices

EUREF Campus Berlin: We work for clients who share our vision and values. Together with them, we establish reliable and stable customer relationships through a compassionate, transparent, and binding cooperation.

We collaborate with a network of reliable partners and service providers, engaging in an ongoing dialogue about our mutual needs and expectations, thereby continuously developing our joint offerings to our customers. Our interaction is characterized by reliability, professionalism, and open and honest communication.

Internally, we foster a good, smooth, and results-oriented collaboration among all areas of the company through regular, timely, and comprehensive communication formats regarding the relevant business processes.

We are aware of our responsibility for our locations, benefit from them, and engage in close dialogue with the relevant actors and networks in Berlin and Düsseldorf, striving to contribute to the success of the local economic and scientific sites through our actions.

We practice responsible management of the resources available to us for our activities within the company, particularly with regard to people, working hours, materials, and energy. We always handle company property with care and refrain from using it for private purposes unless expressly permitted in advance. In such cases, we will make limited and considerate use of our permission.

Other areas where we engage in sustainable practices:

During the construction phase, the construction site is first certified: for example, residual materials must be disposed of or recycled in a sorted manner.
The client – EUREF AG – and its architects ensure sustainable use of resources during construction through carbon-neutral construction. Sustainability is considered in the selection of building materials.
The new buildings are designed as KfW Efficiency Houses, with additional stringent requirements for energy consumption nearly halved compared to EnEV standards. This is achieved through features such as triple glazing, internal sun protection, insulation, the use of smart metering, and locally generated renewable energy.
Since 2014, the EUREF Campus has met the German government’s CO2 goals for 2045, thus ensuring a low ecological footprint.
Only electric vehicles are allowed in the main area of the campus, as indicated by signage.
Our parking garages help minimize traffic on the campus.

CRC & CSR

Our corporate responsibility is an integral part of our vision and mission. We strive to strengthen awareness of our planet worldwide. As EUREF AG, we are more than just project developers – we are long-term stakeholders. Our unique in-house approach enables us to take responsibility from start to finish.

The EUREF Campus offers an optimal work-life balance and promotes an innovative work environment as well as diverse leisure activities for our employees. Even during severe crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we refrained from layoffs and topped up our employees’ short-time work allowance to their full salary – as recognition and appreciation of the workforce and the performance of each individual.

At the EUREF Group, people are at the center. We are proud to attract talented and dedicated employees to our vision and support their growth. Respectful interaction with each other and with our stakeholders is important to us and forms the basis for sustainable growth.

The EUREF-Campus in Berlin is the centerpiece of our actions. From a former industrial area, we have created an innovative urban district with passion and attention to detail, which not only respects environmental and heritage conservation but also impressively demonstrates that environmental and heritage conservation are inseparable in the pursuit of sustainability. Our outdoor concept promotes the quality of stay and enables sustainable mobility.

Our milestones achieved so far include donations to charitable organizations, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting local charitable initiatives and educational institutions – all in compliance with legal requirements.

What we have already achieved:

Explicit commitment of all business areas to compliance with legal requirements in all aspects of their entrepreneurial activities.
Agreement on a company-wide code of conduct and derived company-wide compliance policies.
Targeted consideration of applicants with migration backgrounds or disabilities in the context of job placements.
Flexible working time and location models and a fair, discrimination-free, and equitable salary structure.
Regular mutual feedback formats, starting from bi-weekly discussions, 3-month and timely final probationary period discussions during the probation period, through to mid-year, but at least annual year-end feedback discussions, as well as professional and personal development opportunities.
Support of selected events/projects through cooperation and sponsorship, including blood donation to the German Red Cross Center & polling station.
Financial support for nearby daycare centers.
Financial support for the Berlin Citizens Foundation.
Xmas donations 2022:
€10,000 to Kinderstern e.V.
€2,500 to the daycare center in Eberstrasse, Berlin Schöneberg. The daycare center invests the amount in a high-quality ground trampoline. A joint inauguration took place on September 14, 2023.
Donation of over €50,000 to Kinderstern e.V. (December 2021): Kinderstern e.V. supported childcare facilities during the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, among other things. Our donation of €50,000 goes to the Ahrbrück tent camp. The Ahrbrück tent camp is an annual holiday camp for children aged 8 to 15 from the Altenahr municipal administration and surrounding areas since 1972. Between 120 and 130 children are cared for and provided for by a team of 40 for 10 days.

*GRC: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance
*CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility

Engagement and Initiatives

Active for Sustainability

ISO 20121
EUREF-Event GmbH is currently pursuing certification according to ISO 20121 for sustainable event management to further establish itself on an international level.

For twelve years, the EUREF Campus has been bringing together global players, startups, and research institutions to collaborate on the energy and mobility transition – in a visitable real-world laboratory. EUREF-Event GmbH and thus all event locations on the EUREF Campus Berlin have been certified as Sustainable Meetings Partners Berlin and awarded “High Performer” status.

As part of the certification “Grüner Hirsch – Zukunfts-Charta Tempelhof-Schöneberg”, EUREF AG has committed to fulfilling the eight guiding principles that empower companies on the path to greater sustainability: Local value creation / Business success and jobs / Employee well-being / Natural resources / Energy and emissions / Product responsibility / Sustainable innovations / Human rights

The EUREF Campus Berlin is one of 11 future locations in the German capital. As a real-world laboratory for the energy transition, the campus provides space for inspiration and networking. Over 5,000 people from more than 150 companies, including Deutsche Bahn, Schneider Electric, and GASAG, as well as startups and research institutions, cooperatively work here on energy, mobility, and sustainability topics. Through close collaboration and numerous partnerships, the EUREF community develops solutions for the smart city of the future.

The “Zukunftsorte Berlin” office serves as a coordination center, strengthening the connection between these future locations and representing their interests in business and politics.

You can find more information on the website.

Kestrels
Since 2019, the EUREF Campus has been annually delighted by the tenancy of a family of kestrels, which blesses the campus with descendants every year.

Bees
In May 2023, 400,000 bees were settled on the roof of buildings 6-9. The goal of the Beckmann Urtracht beekeeping is to meet the needs of the bees through natural reproduction, comb building, nutrition, and minimal interventions, even surpassing the requirements of organic beekeeping.