Networks & Networking
Sustainability initiatives of the University of Cologne
Green Office
The Green Office Cologne is a group of students who are committed to establishing a student-led Green Office at the University of Cologne. Her goal is to support other students in getting involved in more sustainability. In addition, the Green Office serves as a point of contact for questions about sustainability for students at the University of Cologne. The group meets regularly every second Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in room S90 (Philosophikum) and is always looking for motivated students who want to work for a more sustainable University of Cologne. They can also be found on Instagram.
Fair University of Cologne
The University of Cologne has been a "Fairtrade University" since May 2018, which means that it is committed to sustainable food production, fair trade relations and working conditions. Fairtrade products are offered in the campus bistros and coffee bars, as well as at events. Organizing Students regular campaigns on the topic of fair trade. The group is always looking for committed students who want to volunteer to continue the ideals of sustainability and fair trade on campus. They can also be found on Instagram.
Research Group
The Research Working Group was founded from the first Sustainability Forum in February 2023. Together, the working group has created the Sustainability Wiki, which offers everyone the opportunity to collect practical information on sustainability topics. The goal is to build a general knowledge base. You can join us here. Interested parties can also contact the Sustainability Office at nachhaltigkeit@verw.uni-koeln.de without obligation.
CampusGarden
The CampusGarten, an AStA project of the University of Cologne, offers an open green oasis for students and interested parties. Here, vegetables, herbs and fruit are grown in a climate-neutral, cost-effective and ecological way. There are workshops and events to exchange experiences. No previous knowledge is necessary. Everyone is welcome to get involved and participate. The group can also be found on Instagram.
Students for Future
Students for Future (S4F) Cologne is an initiative related to the University of Cologne. Since 2019, they have been campaigning for more climate protection, social justice and anti-discrimination in many contexts. The group consists of Cologne students from various universities, trainees and other interested parties. They can also be found on Instagram.
Scientists for Future
Scientists for Future is a non-institutional, non-partisan and interdisciplinary association of scientists with a connection to the University of Cologne. The Cologne-Bonn regional group comprises around 170 scientists from various disciplines. Its aim is to promote rapid and decisive action to tackle the current climate, biodiversity and sustainability crises through expertise, advice and public relations. The group can also be found on Instagram .
Initiatives Health Sector and Climate Change
Health for Future
Health for Future consists of healthcare professionals and all people who identify with this self-image. Her responsibilities include the impact of the planetary crisis on health, as well as a climate-neutral and resilient healthcare system.
KLUG - German Climate Change and Health Alliance
KLUG is the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health, which was founded in 2017 as a network of individuals, organisations and associations from the health sector. They educate about the health effects of the climate crisis and want to empower the health professions to become actors in the transformation to a climate-neutral society. KLUG advises federal, state and local authorities and stakeholders within the healthcare system on climate change mitigation and adaptation. They also contribute content to the education and training of health professions and network stakeholders.
Pilot project KlimaGESUND
The pilot project KlimaGESUND deals with climate education in the health sciences and provides an educational module with a wide range of freely available teaching and learning materials on the topic of climate change and health and shows selected fields of action for climate adaptation in Germany.
Planetary Health
The concept of Planetary Health is a book project and deals with the connections between human health and the health of our planet. It deals with the development of the climate crisis in the context of health and medicine and aims to empower the sciences around medicine to deal with the consequences of the climate crisis on health.
Sustainable Procurement in Hospitals: ZUKE Green
"ZUKE Green" is the largest network for sustainable procurement for hospitals in the DACH region and has the goal of making clinic purchasing climate-neutral by 2040.
Information Portal: Climate, People, Health
The website Climate, People, Health offers explanatory videos, flyers and brochures on the health effects of climate change, gives tips for a healthy lifestyle in climate change and summarizes the news on climate change and health.
Planetary Health Report Card
The Planetary Health Report Card Initiative is an international community of health students that inspires institutional change. Founded in 2019, the Planetary Health Report Card is a tool for assessing and improving planetary health content in health schools. Student-led and faculty-supervised teams at participating institutions fill out the transcript, identify opportunities for improvement and contact the responsible staff and lecturers. The results are published in an annual report.
Robert Koch Institute - Climate Change and Health
The Robert Koch Institute provides information on the effects of the climate crisis on health and on scientific projects on the topic.
Initiatives for sustainable work in the laboratory
Green Your Lab
Green Your Lab is an English-language network of people interested in green labs and sustainable science. Invitations to lectures or seminars are sent out via the network and networking events are offered. Questions can also be asked and answers given via the forum. The best practices for Green Labs are created in a database.
Sustainable European Laboratories Network (SELs)
The Sustainable European Laboratories Network (SELs), which is a network of local sustainability teams and independent Green Labs. It aims to create a collective identity and advocate for sustainable research practices in Europe. They focus on high-quality reporting and the establishment of common standards and goals.
Labconscious
The Labconscious initiative is an English-language open resource and blog for the life science community. They give tips on how to reduce laboratory waste, how to use green chemistry, and how to save water and energy.
My Green Lab
My Green Lab aims to make a fundamental and lasting contribution to greater sustainability in scientific research worldwide. They want to implement the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility in research.
ReAdvance
ReAdvance demonstrate a new approach to sustainable action in the laboratory. By optimising protocols, they aim to guide scientists to reduce the ecological footprint in order to make research more sustainable without compromising results. To this end, they provide insights into sustainable laboratory practice in the form of guides, protocols and workshops, presenting the role of facilitators.
Local Sustainability Initiatives in Cologne
Climate Protection Cologne
Climate Protection Cologne has set itself the goal of achieving zero emissions and zero greenhouse gases in all areas of Cologne society by 2035. In order to drive implementation in Cologne, the Climate Council Cologne was founded by various experts and, together with the City of Cologne, has developed the expert report "Cologne Climate Neutral 2035", which shows various ways in which Cologne can become climate-neutral by 2035
Nationwide initiatives
Federal Environment Agency
As the central environmental authority of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Federal Environment Agency provides scientifically sound information on topics such as climate and energy, health, transport, consumption, waste and resources.
International Initiatives
Seal: Bicycle-friendly employer
Bicycle-friendly employer is an initiative of the EU and the ADFC. The EU-wide seal "Certified Bicycle-Friendly Employer" is awarded in Germany by the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC). The site also provides a self-evaluation for employers to check their bike-friendliness. The certification is valid for three years.
Campus Climte Network
The Campus Climate Network is an English-speaking student climate movement that provides students with the skills, resources, and connections they need to run successful campaigns on campus. Together, organizational skills are trained, student organizations are networked and coordinated hand-handling is made possible.
Race to Zero
"Race to Zero" is a global campaign supported by the United Nations that calls on non-state actors – including businesses, cities, regions, financial, education and health institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and create a healthier, fairer world without carbon in time.
Planetary Health Report Card
The Planetary Health Report Card Initiative is an international community of health students that inspires institutional change. Founded in 2019, the Planetary Health Report Card is a tool for assessing and improving planetary health content in health schools. Student-led and faculty-supervised teams at participating institutions fill out the transcript, identify opportunities for improvement and contact the responsible staff and lecturers. The results are published in an annual report.
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a multilateral treaty with three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The aim is to develop national strategies for the conservation and use of biodiversity.
WWF- Living Planet Report
The WWF is one of the largest international nature and environmental protection organizations. It is committed to the preservation of the earth's biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources and the curbing of pollution and harmful consumer behaviour. It is present in over 80 countries and is supported by over five million people worldwide. Their published Living Planet Report shows how the biodiversity crisis and global warming are linked together, how climate crises and species extinction are mutually dependent and what solutions are available.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to combat hunger.
Their goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to live active, healthy lives. The FAO operates in more than 130 countries worldwide.
Global Initiatives
Pachamama Alliance
The Pachamama Alliance is a global community that offers people the opportunity to learn, connect, engage, travel, and appreciate life to create a sustainable future. The program blends indigenous wisdom with modern knowledge to create an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet.
The Global Commission on Adaptation
The Global Commission on Adaption was established in 2018 by the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. It aims to accelerate adaptation by increasing its political visibility and focusing on concrete solutions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body that provides the interface between science and policy on biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Education for sustainable development
Public Climate School
The Public Climate School offers a school program to bring topics such as (climate) justice, sustainability and politics into schools. The program is aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and aims to raise students' awareness of the current and future challenges of the climate crisis. for this purpose, they provide teaching materials and methods.
Scientific Publisher Cell Press
Cell Press is a purely scientific publisher of over 50 scientific journals and provides a website with a lot of additional content on the topic of climate and sustainability. On it, they publish scientific findings that inspire solutions to social problems. The journals collaborate with researchers and practitioners from the natural and social sciences to facilitate dialogue and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Through meaningful partnerships, broad reach, and committed initiatives, we strive to uncover diverse opinions and conduct impactful research across disciplines, identities, and geographies.
On Thursday, 21.03.2024 at 15:00, they will offer a virtual forum on the impact of plastics on human health and ecosystems. Everyone is cordially invited to attend. Click here to register.