At the European School Munich (ESM), education for sustainable development is not only part of the curriculum – it is actively practiced. Numerous projects in the 2024/25 school year demonstrate the strong commitment of students, teachers and the school management to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. From energy-saving, waste reduction concepts, promotion of environment friendly mobility and creative upcycling ideas to environmental research in Lake Starnberg, the Isar River, and the string Hachinger Bach – ESM is well on its way to becoming an increasingly green school.
KlimaRatSchule: Systematic Sustainability in 2024/25
As part of the KlimaRatSchule program 2023/24, during which the ecological footprint of our school was assessed and improvement measures were democratically decided, the SAFE Academy – a student project in the secondary school – worked on implementing these measures to promote sustainability at ESM:
Saving Energy
Goal: Reducing energy consumption
Measures:
- Analysis of electricity and district heating usage
- Replacement of conventional bulbs through LED ones
- Thermographic imaging of the building with support from Stadtwerke München
- Proposals to the building management (BIMA) for implementing energy-efficient measures
- Development of an energy-saving guideline for classrooms
Reusable Instead of Waste – The (Re)Cup Initiative
Goal: Elimination of single-use cups in the cafeteria
Measures:
- Research and selection of sustainable manufacturers
- Design of a custom logo
- Introduction of a deposit system with 1,000 reusable cups (from Koziol company) starting from the 2025/26 school year
New Waste Separation System
Goal: Introduction of a legally compliant recycling system
Measures:
- Needs analysis and site planning
- Coordination with cleaning staff and experts
- Order and implementation of sorting stations (paper, plastic, residual waste) starting in September
- Training sessions planned for students and school staff
Education for Sustainable Consumption: Taking Responsibility and Action
The topic of "Sustainable Consumption" was a central concern of various project groups this school year.
The Eco Club, consisting of students from grades 6–8, organized a workshop on "Sustainable Shopping" in cooperation with the organization Rehab Republic e.V. After an informative theoretical section, the children designed their own reusable shopping and fruit bags and tested them in a packaging-free shopping environment. They also critically examined the environmental impact of everyday foods – using the example of the avocado, students created their own biodegradable seed starters – so-called avocado boats – using 3D printing and grew their own plants from them.
In the cafeteria, a campaign to reduce food waste was launched – a project that will be permanently established with the new caterer in the coming school year.
As part of the primary school’s integration program, three students from the Multipurpose Group conducted workshops in which future S1 students learned how to prepare a healthy and waste-free snack. The event was a great success and the children participated with great enthusiasm.
The workshop “Sustainable Fashion” by Generation Zukunft e.V. raised awareness among secondary school students about the impacts of fast fashion – hands-on sewing and upcycling courses are planned for the coming year.
Additional creative actions as part of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) concept:
- Production of beeswax wraps, hand cream, and seed paper from recycled materials
- Upcycling of electronic waste into Christmas decorations
- Preparation of healthy alternatives such as energy balls and granola in the school kitchen
- Gardening projects with home-grown herbs, berries, and vegetables
- Selling the DIY-products by the school events open to families, which profit flew to the school Outreach Program
Environmental Education by Taking Aktion
Other outstanding projects:
- “Hour of the Garden Birds” (in cooperation with LBV): students learned to identify bird species over an eight-week period and participated in the nationwide counting campaign.
- Erasmus Maris Project: Analysis of microplastic levels in Starnberger See, supported by the Red Cross. The results were published online and exhibited in the school building.
- “School Cycling” campaign: Over 90 students and teachers cycled a total of 14,805 kilometers in three weeks – a strong statement for climate-friendly mobility.
Learning with Responsibility – A School Profile
Since the 2017/18 school year, ESM has been a member of the Eco-Schools network and is actively involved in environmental education and sustainable school development. As part of the Bavarian initiative “Environmental School in Europe / International Agenda 21 School,” ESM integrates sustainability into both teaching and school culture.
Conclusion:
The numerous projects of the past school year demonstrate that at ESM secondary school, sustainable thinking and action are not only encouraged but also lived secondary. The motivation and commitment of the school community inspire confidence in tackling future challenges.
