13.3 Environmental education measures
13.3.1 Local education programmes on climate
VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) actively promotes education and public awareness of climate change, its environmental and societal impacts, and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. Through its educational, research and outreach activities, the University contributes to improving climate literacy and encourages responsible approaches to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Climate-related topics are integrated into study programmes such as Population Protection and Crisis Management, Safety and Security Engineering, Climate Change and Water Management, Environmental Technologies, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, and Smart and Green Buildings in Circular Construction.
Beyond formal education, VSB-TUO organises public educational and outreach activities, including the Art & Science Festival, conferences, workshops, lectures and projects focused on sustainable development, climate innovation and environmental responsibility. These activities connect science, art and technology, making scientific knowledge accessible to schools, local communities and the wider public. Through this approach, the University raises awareness of climate-related challenges and encourages active community engagement.
Examples of educational and outreach activities in 2025
European Sustainable Development Week 2025 | September 2025
- Organiser: VSB-TUO, in cooperation with participating educational institutions and external partners.
- Description: VSB-TUO organised a programme of lectures, discussions, excursions and practical activities addressing environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, circular economy, responsible consumption and sustainable technologies. The programme connected scientific knowledge with practical solutions relevant to everyday life, urban environments and local communities.
- Climate adaptation education: The lecture TUER – Returning Water and Life to the Landscape, held on 24 September 2025, introduced approaches to restoring natural water cycles, improving ecological functions and increasing landscape resilience. Particular attention was paid to practical nature-based solutions that can support adaptation to climate change, including in urban areas.
- Additional climate-related education: Through cooperation with the University of Hradec Králové, VSB-TUO also promoted access to the online workshop History and Climate Change on 29 September 2025. The workshop explored the relationship between historical education and climate change and approaches to communicating climate-related challenges to younger generations.
- Participation: More than 150 participants attended the University's sustainability activities, with additional participants joining online.
- Sources: European Sustainable Development Week 2025 – Programme; European Sustainable Development Week 2025 – Event results.
Art & Science Festival 2025 | 4 September 2025
- Organiser: VSB-TUO.
- Description: The tenth edition of the Art & Science Festival connected science, technology, research and creativity through interactive demonstrations, educational workshops and presentations. The programme involved University faculties and research centres, including the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET). The event provided opportunities for the public to explore scientific and technological solutions relevant to environmental protection, energy and sustainable development.
- Audience: Approximately 3,000 school pupils, alongside other visitors from the wider public.
- Educational contribution: The festival strengthened scientific literacy, encouraged young people to engage with research and innovation, and supported dialogue between the University, schools and local communities.
- Source: Art & Science Festival 2025 – Official University News.
Through these educational activities, VSB-TUO promotes environmental awareness, supports climate-related knowledge sharing and strengthens cooperation between academia, schools and local communities.
13.3.2 Climate Action Plan (shared)
VSB – Technical University of Ostrava systematically addresses climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainable resource management through its institutional policies, research activities and cooperation with regional stakeholders.
Although VSB-TUO does not currently have a standalone University Climate Action Plan, climate-related priorities are incorporated into the VSB-TUO Sustainable Development Strategy 2024+, which establishes the University's strategic approach to sustainable development with a long-term perspective towards 2030.
The strategy addresses several areas directly related to climate action, including decarbonisation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, water management, resource efficiency and circular economy principles. These priorities are reflected in the University's operational activities and in research and development projects addressing environmental challenges.
VSB-TUO also participates in regional and international research partnerships focused on sustainable energy systems, geothermal energy, water management and climate-resilient infrastructure. Such activities contribute to knowledge sharing and the development of practical solutions relevant to municipalities, public authorities, industry and local communities.
Relevant strategic documents and initiatives:
- Sustainable Development Strategy 2024+: The University's institutional strategy covering environmental responsibility, efficient resource management and long-term sustainability priorities. VSB-TUO Sustainable Development Strategy 2024+.
- REFRESH / SMARAGD: Research and innovation activities supporting the transformation of the Moravian-Silesian Region, including environmental and technological innovation. REFRESH / SMARAGD.
- GeoUS: Research activities addressing the potential of geothermal energy and its contribution to sustainable energy systems. GeoUS – Geothermal Energy Research.
- Nature-based climate adaptation: The NATURE-DEMO project contributes to developing climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions through cooperation among research institutions and other stakeholders. NATURE-DEMO Project.
These initiatives demonstrate the University's contribution to climate-related research, strategic development and cooperation with external stakeholders. However, they do not constitute a separately adopted University Climate Action Plan shared with local government or community groups.
13.3.3 Co-operative planning for climate change disasters
VSB – Technical University of Ostrava contributes to research, technological development and interdisciplinary cooperation supporting preparedness for climate-related disasters and other emergencies. Through its research centres and specialised facilities, the University develops analytical tools, simulation technologies and approaches that can support public authorities and crisis management organisations.
The University's activities address challenges such as flooding, landslides, extreme weather-related risks, hazardous substance releases and the disruption of critical infrastructure. Relevant technologies also include tools for analysing population mobility and supporting decision-making in crisis situations.
Key initiatives:
Floreon+ – Modelling and crisis management support
The Advanced Data Analysis and Simulations Lab at IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center develops the Floreon+ system to support decision-making in crisis management.
Originally designed for applications in the Moravian-Silesian Region, Floreon+ combines computational models and data analysis to support the monitoring and prediction of emergency situations. Its capabilities include hydrological modelling, traffic situation monitoring, modelling of hazardous substance dispersion and population mobility monitoring.
The system can operate in monitoring and prediction modes and supports scenario-based simulations to assess potential developments and consequences of crisis situations.
Sources: IT4Innovations – Advanced Data Analysis and Simulations Lab; Floreon+.
NATURE-DEMO – Climate-resilient critical infrastructure | 2024–2028
VSB-TUO participates in the NATURE-DEMO project, which focuses on developing and demonstrating nature-based solutions to increase the resilience of critical infrastructure to climate-related risks.
The project brings together research organisations and other stakeholders to explore how nature-based approaches can contribute to reducing vulnerability and strengthening infrastructure resilience. Its activities support knowledge development relevant to long-term climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Source: NATURE-DEMO – Project Overview.
Simulation technologies and crisis management education
The Faculty of Safety Engineering operates specialised simulation facilities, including the XVR Simulator, which supports practical education and training in emergency response and crisis management.
Simulation-based training enables participants to examine different emergency scenarios, practise decision-making and develop skills relevant to coordinating responses to potentially hazardous situations.
These activities are further supported by study programmes such as Population Protection and Crisis Management and Safety and Security Engineering.
Through these activities, VSB-TUO provides research, technologies and specialist knowledge relevant to cooperative disaster preparedness and risk assessment at local and regional levels.
13.3.4 Inform and support government
VSB – Technical University of Ostrava supports the development of scientific and technological tools relevant to climate-related risk monitoring, early warning and crisis management. Its research activities contribute to improving the availability and interpretation of data needed for risk assessment and informed decision-making by public authorities.
A key example is the Floreon+ system, developed by the Advanced Data Analysis and Simulations Lab at IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center.
The system was primarily designed for applications in the Moravian-Silesian Region and integrates several areas of crisis management, including:
- Hydrological modelling: Simulation and prediction of water-related hazards, including flood propagation.
- Population mobility monitoring: Analysis of population movements relevant to crisis management and emergency planning.
- Traffic monitoring: Information supporting assessment of transport conditions and potential mobility restrictions during emergencies.
- Hazardous substance dispersion: Modelling the potential spread of dangerous substances to support risk assessment and emergency response planning.
- Scenario-based simulations: Predictive and "what-if" analyses supporting the examination of possible crisis developments.
The system combines data processing, computational modelling and supercomputing technologies to provide analytical capabilities relevant to regional risk monitoring and crisis preparedness.
In addition, research activities involving radar Earth observation support the identification of areas affected by natural disasters, monitoring of landslide activity and mapping of inundated areas.
These technologies demonstrate the University's capacity to provide scientific expertise and technical support relevant to local and regional authorities responsible for disaster risk management, monitoring and preparedness.
Sources:
13.3.5 Environmental Education: Collaboration with NGOs
VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) recognises the important role of non-governmental organisations in promoting climate change adaptation, environmental education and sustainable development. Cooperation with external partners connects academic expertise with practical experience and supports knowledge transfer to municipalities, public institutions and local communities.
One example is the University's cooperation with Nadace Partnerství (Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation), a non-governmental non-profit organisation focusing on environmental protection, sustainable development and climate adaptation.
Examples of activities and cooperation:
Dynamika proměn bydlení – Professional Conference | 13 March 2025
- Event: The 27th annual conference on housing development and urban transformation took place in Ostrava, bringing together representatives of public authorities, academic institutions and other organisations.
- Participation and content: Representatives of VSB-TUO and Nadace Partnerství participated in the conference. Nadace Partnerství presented examples of urban environment renovation, while VSB-TUO introduced a proposed methodology for public space lighting. The event provided an opportunity to exchange professional knowledge about urban development and environmental quality.
- Evidence limitation: Participation in the same conference does not, by itself, demonstrate a formally established partnership or a jointly delivered climate adaptation programme.
- Source: City of Ostrava – Dynamika proměn bydlení 2025.
Adapting to Climate Change: A Practical Course for Cities and Municipalities | 26 November 2024
- Partners: VSB-TUO, Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET), and Nadace Partnerství, in connection with the MiSe Klima initiative.
- Description: An accredited educational course focused on practical climate change adaptation measures for cities and municipalities, including approaches to strengthening resilience to climate-related impacts.
- Target groups: Mayors, municipal officials, local government representatives and professionals interested in climate adaptation.
- Contribution: This activity documents previous cooperation between the University and a non-governmental organisation in delivering climate adaptation education for local authorities.
- Source: MiSe Klima – Practical Course for Cities and Municipalities.
Continuing Education in Energy Management and Climate Adaptation | 2026 programme
VSB-TUO also integrates climate-related topics into its continuing education programme Energy Manager – Intelligent Systems and Technologies for Energy. The programme addresses municipal energy management, renewable energy, climate-energy strategies and climate adaptation measures. Its published syllabus includes an excursion involving Nadace Partnerství. The currently published course edition takes place in 2026 and therefore is not evidence of an activity completed in 2025.
These examples illustrate the University's engagement in environmental education and dialogue with organisations working on sustainable development. Direct cooperation with Nadace Partnerství on climate adaptation is documented for 2024; the conference in 2025 documents participation in the same event, but additional evidence would be required to substantiate a jointly implemented NGO climate adaptation activity during the 2025 reporting year.
