Sustainability

English translation of the corresponding document ratified by the Extended Executive Board of UZH on 5 February 2019.

The UZH Mission Statement sets out that “sustainability in scholarship as well as in [...] operations [is] a core responsibility.” The Sustainability Policy, which was approved by the Extended Executive Board of the University on 5 February 2019, codifies this principle by formulating an overarching objective for strengthening sustainability. The principle is further elaborated on by way of the Implementation Strategy 2030 for the Sustainability Policy, which sets out more than 20 strategic goals and close to 80 measures. The implementation strategy was approved by the Executive Board of the University on 29 September 2020 and acknowledged by the Extended Executive Board of the University on 3 November 2020. Implementation progress is monitored through the UZH Sustainability Report, which is published every two years.

Overarching Objective

UZH is committed to the active and systematic promotion of sustainable development on every level. Members of the University contribute to this goal within the scope of their duties. The Executive Board of UZH and the faculties recognize their duty to promote sustainable development through research and teaching, providing services and engaging in an exchange with the public. UZH’s governance structures, organizational and management culture and daily operations are in line with the goal of sustainable development.

The goal of sustainable development is the current and future well-being of all people. The basis for this is the conservation of the natural life-sustaining systems of the planet, the establishment of peace, the protection of human rights, and the upholding of social justice within and between nations. The United Nations has codified an approach to these issues in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs¹). UZH uses the SDGs as a framework of reference for its contributions to sustainable development.

UZH supports sustainable development on two levels:

• first, through the content of its research and teaching, which contributes to the sustainable development discourse on a scientific basis, in particular in exchange with the public and decision-makers in business, politics and civil society;
• second, through exemplary action with a long-term focus in all areas, combined with critical reflection on the impact of the own activities and a focus on the University’s responsibility towards society.

References

¹ United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals

Specification and Implementation

The principle is further elaborated on by way of the Implementation Strategy 2030 for the Sustainability Policy.
Sustainability Website: Implementation of the Sustainability Policy