ZHAW sustainable
We take our responsibility for ensuring a sustainable society seriously and are contributing to this in all core areas at the ZHAW. We conduct research in the field of sustainable development, and we educate and prepare our students to shape the present and the future in a way that will enable future generations to face social, economic and ecological challenges in a responsible and reflective manner.
Strategic Programme for Sustainable Development
As a strategic programme, ZHAW sustainable coordinates the implementation of the sustainability strategy at the ZHAW in collaboration with the Schools, President’s Office, Finance & Services and the students. As part of the President’s Office, ZHAW sustainable is headed by a Head of Sustainable Development who is also a member of the university management, thus ensuring that the strategic programme is centrally anchored in the university.
The following overall objectives have been defined in a participatory manner:
VISIBILITY
We make visible the areas in which sustainable development is taught and researched at the ZHAW and show that we have a correspondingly broad range of expertise.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
We are building a community and using our contributions to promote internal and external contacts, knowledge exchange and collaboration between ZHAW Schools in the field of sustainability.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
We bring ZHAW students into close contact with sustainable development issues during their studies and provide them with positive experiences.
GREEN IMPACT BOOK
We are not only collecting data in the Green Impact Book, but also laying the foundations for a Real-Lab and implementing measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewability.
Contact
The ZHAW sustainable team welcomes suggestions, opportunities for exchange and contact from ZHAW internals and externals - please send an email to sustainable@zhaw.ch or use the contact form.
ZHAW sustainable regularly sends out a newsletter with news and event information on sustainable development at the ZHAW.
ZHAW sustainable is supported by a sustainability committee, the Sustainable Development Committee (SDC). The SDC is made up of managers and specialists from all Schools, the President’s Office and Finance & Services, as well as students.
To create a culture and community of sustainable development at the ZHAW, the Sustainable Impact Program promotes initiatives and engagement by students and staff. It supports student projects, teaching and research projects, and young entrepreneurs whose ideas contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The SDGs define 17 social, economic and environmental milestones to be achieved worldwide by 2030. All Member States of the United Nations have committed to work towards the implementation of the SDGs at national, regional and international levels by 2030.
The people behind ZHAW sustainable
"One of the particularly challenging tasks of sustainable development is to achieve behavioural changes in ourselves in a world of unsustainable material abundance. With our sustainability strategy, we achieve impact when many of us embark on this journey together."
Urs Hilber, Head of the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management and Sustainable Development Officer at the ZHAW
"With their study programmes, projects and research programmes, the ZHAW’s Schools have considerable expertise in numerous areas of sustainable development. We are using this opportunity to move forward with them on a common path."
Francesco Bortoluzzi, Head of Sustainability Programs
"With its broad expertise across various departments and degree programs, the ZHAW can make a significant contribution to sustainability in research and teaching and provide future professionals with crucial knowledge for achieving the SDGs"
Ilja Kirianoff, Assistant Sustainability in Education & Research
"It can be easy to find yourself paralysed by the complexity of sustainability, which is why ZHAW sets out to offer a wide range of opportunities for everyone to get involved in their own way and to feel inspired. Let’s create positive impact together."
Emma Sonnier, Sustainability Engagement Assistant
"For the ongoing sustainable development of the ZHAW, the participation of all stakeholders as well as meaningful data and goal-oriented processes are essential. This makes it possible to quantify the status quo and the goals, and to identify and follow net-zero paths."
Marco Linpinsel, Sustainability Data and Processes Assistant
"We involve our employees and students in sustainable development at the ZHAW. We create platforms for dialogue and collaboration so that new ideas and projects can emerge and people can be inspired by the topic of sustainability."
Amina Mvidie, Community Building Assistant
"The ZHAW is undergoing several transformation processes to become a more digital, sustainable and entrepreneurial university. It is not just the researchers, lecturers and students who are in demand here, but all members of the university!"
Bettina Sackenreuther, Lead Strategic Communication
"If we recognize our actions as part of a greater whole and are prepared to leave the beaten track of our habits, then together we are able to make the impossible possible."
Nicolas Fojtu, Content Creator