Networks
The University of Vienna recognizes the critical importance of networking both within and outside our institution for the promotion of sustainability. This networking enables the pooling of knowledge, resources and expertise to develop innovative solutions to global sustainability challenges. In this section, we present our internal and external networks, alliances and groupings that support our sustainability efforts. These collaborations are key to shaping a more sustainable future together.
If you are part of a sustainability network at the University of Vienna that is not yet listed here, please contact us at nachhaltigkeit@univie.ac.at!
Inter-University Networks
Allianz Nachhaltige Universitäten
Allianz Nachhaltige Universitäten
The Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria is a national association of 19 Austrian universities to date (as of June 2022) that are universities that are committed to sustainability issues. It joins forces to anchor and strengthen the Alliance's understanding of sustainability in teaching and research, in social commitment and in the management of universities, thus making its contribution to a sustainable society.
UniNEtZ
UniNEtZ
UniNEtZ is a project of the Alliance of Sustainable Universities. The partner institutions take on so-called sponsorships and involvement for the SDGs. Sponsorship means that the institution coordinates and compiles all knowledge and activities relating to the respective SDG throughout Austria. The University of Vienna has taken on the sponsorships for SDGs 12 (Sustainable consumption and production), 14 (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land) (partly shared).
Intra-University Networks
Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH)
Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH)
The Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) bridges faculties and centres at the University of Vienna to promote excellent interdisciplinary research in the field of environment and climate. Activities include research workshops, training for early career researchers and outreach formats such as "Umwelt im Gespräch" and the research newsletter ECHO.
WG CSR of the University Library
WG CSR of the University Library
The University Library's CSR working group is made up of employees from various areas of the library and archive services.
Numerous lectures and workshops have already been offered on the topics of nutrition, dealing with conflict situations, energy efficiency, sustainability, waste avoidance and separation, and diversity management. This offer is aimed at all DLE employees and participation in the events is of course free of charge for them. In addition to awareness-raising measures such as lectures and workshops as part of the CSR Day within the DLE, exhibitions are organized that are also open to the public (e.g. January-March 2023 "UB Vienna and its contribution to Agenda 2030").
This year, an internal DLE CSR day was also organized with the theme "reduce - reuse - recycle"; a plant exchange and an office supplies and book exchange formed the core of this day. The CSR working group is currently working on a sustainability strategy for DLE Libraries and Archives.
Email: csr.ub@univie.ac.at
Climate@MaxPerutzLabs
Founded in 2019, Climate@MPL is a grassroots initiative of technicians, admins, postdocs and students with the goal to improve sustainable practices in research and teaching at the Max Perutz Labs. They have raised awareness for sustainability-related topics by organizing public lectures and by teaching courses. They have measured the energy consumption of devices used and together with Green Labs Austria, they have quantified how much (plastic) waste is accumulated in the lab. Based on these data they encourage the reduction of energy consumption and waste production at their institute.
“It is part of our mission, as life scientists, to protect life and deliver a better planet to future generations.”
ÖH Sustainabiltiy and International Office
ÖH Sustainabiltiy and International Office
We, the Sustainabiltiy and International Office of the Austrian Students Union of the University of Vienna (ÖH Uni Wien) are dedicated to a sustainable environment and a good life for all within the planetary boundaries. We consider climate change as well as environmental pollution as a threat for all inhabitants of the earth. Like all other crises of our time, the climate crisis cannot be thought without social power structures. A social, anti-racist, decolonial, feminist, emancipatory and class-sensitive response to the climate crisis is needed.
For our work, this approach means that events which we organize or support must be thought intersectionally. Furthermore, it is our concern to keep the University of Vienna aware of its responsibility in the climate crisis and to integrate an intersectional understanding of sustainability in the university.
Magdalena Reif (she/her) & Lou-Janna Daniels (she/her)
AGNIS
The Sustainability Working Group at the Department of Sociology at the University of Vienna (AGNIS) has been working to embed sustainability issues more firmly at the Department of Sociology since 2020. Based on a developed sustainability concept and in continuous exchange with the Institute's management, SPL, employees and students, measures are continuously implemented that contribute to strengthening sustainability on a total of five levels: research, teaching, exchange with society, operations and organizational culture.
The AGNIS Sustainability Report 2021-2022 is available for download here.
Campus & Sustainability Network
The CampSus network supports the sustainable development of the Faculty of Life Sciences and the achievement of the sustainability goals of the University of Vienna. CampSus also bundles and integrates relevant initiatives and projects within the Faculty and promotes the exchange of information with the Sustainability Office, other faculties, universities and institutions. Topics include sustainable work processes, use of resources, means of communication and infrastructure.
Contact: eva.millesi@univie.ac.at
Green Labs Austria
Green Labs Austria
Green Labs Austria is a non-profit organization rooted at the University of Vienna and founded to promote the sustainable development of the life sciences. The network aims to connect Austrian and international laboratories that share the vision of sustainable research.
E-Mail: info@greenlabsaustria.at
Sternwarte Sustainability Group
Sternwarte Sustainability Group
The Sternwarte Sustainability Group was established in December 2022 and is based at the Department of Astrophysics, in the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy. The group is currently composed of over 10 team members including research staff, PhD and MSc students, and admin staff, and it mainly aims at carrying out activities and implementing improvements that could make the Sternwarte more “green" and more energy-efficient. Despite its very recent formation, the Sustainability Group has already successfully implemented several actions at the Sternwarte, such as promoting the installation of new bike racks with a roof to protect bicycles from rain and snow and therefore encourage their use also in non-optimal weather conditions, setting up recycling bins and battery collection boxes, helping to significantly reduce energy and gas consumption, and creating a terrace vegetable garden.
For more information: sustainability.astro@univie.ac.at.