Wir überwinden Grenzen

(1.10.2025) Clinic impresses with concrete CO₂ savings, future-oriented concepts and broad employee participation

The Medical Center - University of Freiburg has been chosen by the jury of the German Sustainability Award as the winner in the "Healthcare" sector. The award recognizes the hospital's comprehensive commitment to ecological, social and economic sustainability. For patients, this means: care at the highest medical level with a clear focus on sustainability and climate protection. The award ceremony will take place on December 5, 2025 in Düsseldorf, embedded in the sustainability congress #DNP25.

Role model function in the healthcare sector

The jury of the German Sustainability Award recognizes the Medical Center - University of Freiburg as a pioneer for low-emission healthcare and as a driving force for the sustainable transformation of the industry - for example with the greenhouse gas calculator for hospitals, timber construction and heat supply using green hydrogen.

"At the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, sustainability has long been an integral part of the quality of care we provide. The award is both recognition and an incentive," says Robert Rilk, Head of Governance, Quality and Sustainability at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

"Our goal is to make university medicine sustainable in the long term - out of responsibility towards future generations," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "This award confirms that we are on the right track. We are particularly proud that our commitment is not based on individual measures, but on a comprehensive transformation process."

Outstanding sustainability practice in everyday clinical practice

The Medical Center - University of Freiburg is working on making its energy supply climate-friendly in the long term. Among other things, it plans to gradually convert its own combined heat and power plant to CO₂-free technologies. Between 2019 and 2024, around 40,000 tons of CO₂ were already saved through technical conversions. An energy and climate protection concept is also being actively implemented for all new construction projects in line with national standards.

One flagship project is the energy and ecological optimization of the hospital's own laundry: by lowering the steam pressure, reducing the drying temperature and improving process control, the laundry saves 712 tons of CO₂ and 200,000 euros in operating costs every year. At the same time, employees benefit from lower workplace temperatures.

In the area of nutrition, targeted measures to reduce food waste - for example when serving soups and portion sizes - have cut food waste by 65% and saved over 20 tons of CO₂.

Digital applications also help to conserve resources: The employee app and the patient app "My Uniklinik" enable, among other things, appointment management, document access and internal communication without paper - thus helping to reduce printing and transportation costs.

Own sustainability mission statement as a foundation

With its ten binding sustainability principles, the Medical Center - University of Freiburg has given itself a strong, internally anchored mission statement. Among other things, it includes efforts to promote an energy-efficient infrastructure, environmentally friendly mobility, sustainable procurement, low-waste processes, diversity and social justice as well as the integration of sustainability in research and teaching.

Background: German Sustainability Award for Companies

The German Sustainability Award is considered the most important award of its kind in Europe. In the company category, particularly sustainable players in various sectors are honored annually. The 2026 award ceremony will take place during a multi-day congress in Düsseldorf.

More interesting articles