The ZHAW pointed the way to sustainable development in 2019. With its sustainability strategy, the university is sharing responsibility for ensuring a sustainable society and embedding sustainable development at the highest levels. Over the past ten years, the ZHAW has already achieved a lot with respect to sustainable development. Not only does it conduct long-term research and pioneering work in various areas of sustainable development, but it also conveys the corresponding knowledge within the ZHAW and beyond. The ZHAW educates its students to shape their present and future in a way that will enable future generations to face social, economic and ecological challenges in a responsible and reflective manner. A commitment that came to fruition: for instance, three students of the ZHAW were awarded prizes at the Swiss Green Economy Symposium 2019 for their outstanding work in the area of sustainability. In addition, the ZHAW has been able to significantly improve its sustainability in university operations through actions such as reducing disposable tableware and improving its efficiency in energy consumption.

Participation a fundamental principle

Even though sustainable development has been a key aspect of the university strategy since 2015, the Executive Board agrees that there is still a need for action in view of the pressing environmental and societal issues. For this reason, it commissioned the Higher Education Development organisational unit to devise a ZHAW sustainability strategy containing concrete goals and measures in 2019. The strategy, which was adopted in July 2019, builds on the university strategy and the ZHAW’s achievements to date and was developed under the leadership of Elena Wilhelm, Head of Higher Education Development, and Christian Wassmer, research associate in higher education research, as well as the expert committee on sustainable development, consisting of staff and students. The ZHAW regards participation as a fundamental principle of sustainable development. In addition, the strategy is long-term and comprehensive, and it defines target objects, effects, achievements and measures for academic programmes, continuing education, research, knowledge transfer and business services, as well as for the campus, university operations and governance.

First-ever sustainable development officer

In a further step, the Executive Board introduced the Green Impact Book (GIP) in August as a central component of its sustainability strategy. The GIP addresses university operations and frames goals in the area of environmental sustainability, such as reducing CO2 emissions caused by mobility and increasing sustainable consumption. It also includes ZHAW-wide measures to achieve the goals and general indicators to monitor the achievement of these goals. The Schools, Finance and Services (F&S) and the President´s Office are in charge of planning, implementing and developing further measures. In November, Urs Hilber, Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, was named Sustainable Development Officer. In this role, he is leading implementation of the sustainability strategy within the ZHAW with the support of the Schools, F&S and the President´s Office, as well as the expert committee on sustainable development. Hilber also represents the ZHAW externally in matters of sustainability and monitors and anticipates national and international developments. In addition, he guarantees the internal and external exchange of information.