METU CLIMATE held a knowledge exchange meeting with the Sustainability and Energy Management Unit of Freie Universität Berlin, a member of the UNICA (Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe) network, of which METU is also a part.

During the week-long meetings attended by Yağmur Akgün, our center's communications officer, detailed information was gathered on the unit's sustainability strategies, communication efforts, and campus-integrated practices developed over approximately 25 years of experience.

The discussions highlighted several creative initiatives that support sustainable campus life at Freie Universität Berlin. One notable example was an incentive system designed to reduce energy consumption. In this system, departments that manage to stay below a predefined reference level are financially rewarded, whereas exceeding this limit results in the additional cost being covered by the department's own budget. In addition, sustainable transportation solutions such as bicycle lanes and infrastructure supporting eco-friendly mobility systems were emphasized, while item-sharing systems that allow unused belongings to be reused contribute to waste reduction. Competitions and creative idea programs that encourage students and staff to reflect on sustainable lifestyles and develop their own projects are also promoted across the campus.

During the visit, METU's sustainability vision, science communication efforts, and sustainable campus projects were shared. Discussions also included potential areas for future collaboration, laying the groundwork for joint initiatives.

As METU CLIMATE, we remain committed to expanding inter-university knowledge exchange and promoting effective solutions in the fight against the climate crisis.