UZH tapped into the collective wisdom of its community to find out how to make everyday university operations more sustainable. It is now supporting several projects to improve sustainability. The various projects are aimed at reducing flight-related greenhouse gas emissions, increasing plastic recycling in labs, curbing electricity consumption in radiology, and managing the vegetation on Irchel Campus.
Climate Change Releases Carbon Stocks Deep Underground
Global warming is accelerating the decomposition of soil humus. It is also affecting the waxy and woody compounds – previously thought to be stable – which help plants store carbon in their leaves and roots.
Over the past two years, UZH has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, the university has taken a number of effective measures to promote sustainable development, as shown in its latest Sustainability Report.
Initial funding of 1 million: thanks to the Werner Siemens-Stiftung, UZH chemistry professors Greta Patzke, David Tilley, Stefan Seeger and Kathrin Fenner and their teams will be able to develop their project idea for a research into technologies for sustainable resource use. If successful, 100 million and the creation of a new WSS research center awaits.
What happens when rainy seasons becomes drier and dry seasons warmer? Research shows that climate changes destabilize mouse lemur populations and increase their risk of extinction.
Digital technologies make many systems and processes more efficient. Lorenz Hilty, professor of informatics, is researching how the digital transformation can also be harnessed for sustainable development.
In the interdisciplinary lecture series “Sustainability Now!”, Right Livelihood Award recipients talk about how they have been able to initiate sustainable developments, from peacebuilding to preserving biodiversity. The lectures are presented and chaired by students who want to learn how to translate academic learning into practice.
Investors can contribute to the sustainable development of the economy, says economist Falko Paetzold. Supporting innovative start-ups is the most high-impact way of doing so.
Over a dozen climate-related lawsuits are pending at the European Court of Human Rights, putting legal processes at the institution to the test. Two UZH lawyers are investigating how courts can reach fair and judicious decisions in climate cases.
