As part of the Wolfenbüttel Climate Forum 2026, the Ostfalia campus on Salzdahlumer Straße will become a centre for climate protection, science and social dialogue on 16 April. Ostfalia Vice President Volker Küch cordially invites you to attend: "Our doors are wide open to anyone who is interested in climate protection and creative solutions - and ideally here, where the spirit of research and drive are at home."
Evening lecture with Eckart von Hirschhausen
The emotional highlight will be the lecture by Eckart von Hirschhausen at 6 p.m. in the auditorium, who will categorise the climate crisis as the greatest health threat of our time and show that climate protection is also health protection. Due to limited seating, free tickets will be available at the box office from 5.30 pm; alternatively, you can reserve tickets in advance by emailing nachhaltigkeit(at)ostfalia.de (opens your email program). The reserved tickets will be available for collection in the Ostfalia foyer on 16 April between 2 and 5:30 pm.
Climate Forum offers a varied day programme
The Climate Forum combines education, research and engagement in an open event format. Visitors can expect a varied day of lectures and discussions - free of charge and without registration (exception: Green Table, registration already closed).
1 to 5 p.m. - "Green Table", Ostfalia Senate Hall
The "Green Table" is dedicated to the main topic of "Biodiversity" and offers the opportunity to discuss current projects relating to nature and species conservation in the district of Wolfenbüttel. The highlight is the keynote speech by Dr Frauke Fischer, Germany's leading expert on biodiversity in companies, who has been working as a scientist, consultant and entrepreneur for more than three decades - internationally recognised and valued as a member of numerous renowned committees. (Note: The registration deadline for the "Green Table" has unfortunately already expired)
2 to 6 p.m. - Foyer, glass corridor and machine hall
From 2 p.m., entertaining and informative keynote speeches will shed light on current topics from science, business and society - from sustainable consumption and innovative building technology to modern production and resource utilisation. The presentations will take place in the Ostfalia auditorium.
Keynote speeches on current topics
- 14:00 to 14:25: Marketing, consumption and climate change (Prof Dirk Hohm)
- 14:30 to 14:55: Sustainable teaching in times of AI - a field report based on the laboratory-based brewing of beer(Prof Thorsten Ahrens)
- 15 to 15:25: The science behind modern buildings: smart heating, smart cooling, sustainable construction(Prof Lars Kühl)
- Break
- 16 to 16:25: From self-watering bus shelters to climate cubes - how modern mechanical engineering addresses green issues(Prof. Andreas Ligocki)
- 16:30 to 16:55: Utilisation of residual and waste materials(Prof. Elke Wilharm)
- 17 to 17:25: Sustainability on the brink: Trump's doctrine strikes back? (Prof. Udo W. Becker)
Guided tour of the machine hall
- 3 p.m., meeting point in the cafeteria (suitable for ages twelve and up)
- 4.30 pm, meeting point at the Lower Saxony Learning Factory for Resource Efficiency stand - topic "Energy efficiency in the manufacturing industry" (suitable for adults and companies)
The programme is complemented by a campus rally where sustainability can be experienced and the Market of Opportunities. Local initiatives and extracurricular learning centres will present themselves there - including the Repair Café and the AHA-ERLEBNISmuseum for children and young people. They show how sustainable behaviour can be taught and experienced in a very practical way, regardless of age.
Presentation of the Wolfenbüttel Future Prize
from 6 p.m. in the Ostfalia auditorium
The day will conclude with a lecture by Eckart von Hirschhausen. Under the title of his foundation "Healthy Earth - Healthy People", he will impressively demonstrate why climate protection also means protecting humanity. This will be followed by the first presentation of the Wolfenbüttel Future Prize. This honours projects that make an active contribution to sustainability in the district of Wolfenbüttel - for example in the areas of the environment, education, social cohesion, resource conservation or energy. The prize is jointly organised by the city and district of Wolfenbüttel, the Curt Mast Jägermeister Foundation, Ostfalia University and the Asse Future Fund.