#What we can do: Working together for greater climate action in everyday university life

12. November 2026

Your car is waiting—for someone else

How can you save energy in your everyday (college) life? The “#Watt wir können” campaign by Karlsruhe’s universities, in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Energy and Climate Protection Agency (KEK), is collecting ideas, tips, and initiatives on topics such as energy consumption, mobility, and consumption. In this blog series, we’ll explore various topics and show what everyone can try in their daily lives.

Do you enjoy getting out and about?

Surprise! The easiest way to get through your day as eco-friendly and cost-effective as possible is still to walk or ride a bike. It sounds basic, but it’s actually quite effective. Compared to a combustion engine vehicle, you can save an average of 206 g CO2e per kilometer.

And sunny Karlsruhe is especially well-suited for this. Thanks to its location in the Upper Rhine Graben, the city is almost completely flat. For you, that means relaxed cycling instead of a sweat-inducing hill climb.

The ADFC Climate Test also shows that the city is bike-friendly; Karlsruhe has been on the podium for years, placing it well above the national average.

Don’t have your own bike? No problem!

With KVV.nextbike, you can easily rent a bike via the app. If you’re enrolled at a university in Karlsruhe, you can even ride for free for the first 30 minutes (CAMPUSbike). Perfect for getting to campus or for short trips around town.

A quick tip: Opt for a rental bike instead of an e-scooter. E-scooters need to be charged regularly and, due to their short lifespan, usually have a significantly worse carbon footprint.

If you ever need to transport more, Lastenkarle offers a practical solution. There, you can rent a cargo bike for free and easily bring your groceries home for your next apartment party. You can borrow one, for example, from the Karlsruhe Energy and Climate Protection Agency (KEK), right on the market square.

Want your own bike?

Then it’s definitely worth considering a used bike. Not only is it cheaper, but it also saves a lot of resources. There are a few good places to look in Karlsruhe. In addition to classified ads, the city holds regular auctions where unclaimed lost property—including bicycles—goes under the hammer. You can also find used bikes at the employment agency’s bike repair shop. And if you enjoy browsing, you might find what you’re looking for at one of Karlsruhe’s many flea markets.

Is it pouring rain and hailing at the same time, or is the trip just too far?

Have you heard of the Karlsruhe Model? The tram-train system allows light rail trains to continue directly on regional tracks. For you, that means you can plan your next weekend getaway stress-free without a car and take the S-Bahn directly from downtown to the Black Forest or the Southern Palatinate without having to transfer. Check out the D-Ticket JugendBW. It might be just the thing for you.

And if you’re thinking ahead: For your next Erasmus stay, it’s worth taking a look at “Green Travel.” If you opt for climate-friendly travel—that is, taking the train instead of flying—you can even apply for additional funding. Good for the climate and your wallet. 😉

Can’t always get by without a car?

Then it’s worth considering carsharing. In Karlsruhe, it’s a real alternative. In the city ranking by the Federal Car Sharing Association, the city is in first place by a wide margin!

Manufacturing a car consumes a lot of resources and energy. Financially, owning a car often only pays off if you use it regularly—about 14,000 km a year. Plus, with carsharing, you can choose the right car for your needs. Want to drive an electric car for a change or transport furniture on the spur of the moment? You’re sure to find what you’re looking for at Stadtmobil or another provider.

Here’s what we can do!

Getting around in a climate-friendly way is really easy in Karlsruhe—and often even more practical than you might think. Whether on foot, by bike, via public transit, or through car-sharing: There’s a sustainable, everyday-friendly solution for almost every situation.

Thanks to the many bike paths, the excellent public transit infrastructure, and flexible car-sharing options, in many cases you don’t even need your own car. This not only saves CO₂ and resources, but also money, space, and stress.

Grab a few friends on campus and just give it a try!

Also check out #Watt wir können on social media: Instagram

Resources in Karlsruhe

All about bikes

All about Public Transit

Carsharing