The Commission for Environment and Mobility
Commission for Environment and Mobility (UMK)
The Commission for Environment and Mobility (UMK) is the University of Potsdam’s central advisory body on issues of environmental sustainability and sustainable mobility development.
It was established on June 11, 2025, through the merger of the former Environment Commission (UmwK) and the Transportation Commission (VK). With this decision, the Senate has reflected the close substantive interconnection between these two subject areas in its organizational structure as well.
The Environmental Commission was established by Senate Resolution S 9/192 of January 25, 2012; its inaugural meeting took place on April 4, 2012. Since then, it has guided the university’s strategic development in environmental matters and provided important impetus for sustainable campus development.
The primary mission of the UMK is to establish ambitious sustainability goals for research, teaching, and operations at the University of Potsdam and to support their implementation through initiatives in various areas of action. The focus is on the connection between the daily actions of all members of the university and the sustainable development of society. The responsible use of resources - particularly the consumption of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and building operations-as well as the entire life cycle of materials, from procurement to disposal, play a crucial role in this regard.
The work of the UMK is based on the University of Potsdam’s sustainability guidelines dated October 21, 2020. The commission provides an institutional framework for dialogue, brainstorming, and strategic recommendations - serving as a driving force for the university’s sustainable and environmentally responsible development. The new UMK systematically brings together the topics and perspectives of the former Environment and Transportation Commission.
The first meeting of the UMK will take place on September 3, 2025.
The UMK serves as a platform for dialogue between university leadership, administration, faculty, and students - with the goal of creating a sustainable, forward - looking University of Potsdam.
The Senate Commission is chaired by the Chancellor and consists of 13 members. All meetings are open to the public and take place quarterly. You can find the schedule here or by contacting Ms. Rehfeld (+49 331 977-1771, ).
