About us
The newly founded Sustainability Initiative was initiated by the academic mid-level staff of the University Hospital Cologne (GAMMA) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne.
As scientists, physicians, teachers and researchers, we enjoy the highest level of trust among the population. At the same time, climate change, with its increase in weather extremes, heat waves, and zoonoses, particularly affects the vulnerable and those in need of treatment in society.
This website is intended to provide all research, teaching and clinical staff with the opportunity to learn about the activities of GAMMA Sustainability WG at the Biomedical Campus. In addition, this site is intended to serve as a central point of contact for information on the topic of sustainability and environmental protection, as well as for practical suggestions and tips for environmentally conscious behavior in the workplace and in everyday life. Only together and networked can we make our workplaces role models on the way to a sustainable future.
More about the Sustainability WG
Goals of GAMMA Sustainability WG
Together with you and other initiatives of the university and students, we want to make our contribution to the implementation of an ecological transformation for the benefit of our society, our patients, ourselves and future generations.
- Sustainable orientation of our work in research, teaching and clinical practice;
- Strengthening awareness and competence for sustainable action among all employees by providing information and organizing continuing education and public events;
- Involving as many employees and working groups as possible in the design and implementation of the sustainability initiative;
- Anchoring the topic of sustainability in all areas of the Faculty of Medicine and the University Hospital Cologne;
- Act as a central point of contact for various ideas on sustainability and environmental protection, integrate them and communicate them effectively to the individual laboratories, departments and institutes;
- Formulate concrete measurable goals, define measures and activities, and evaluate them for feasibility;
- Organize and coordinate implementation of the measures in practice and evaluate the results of the activities carried out;
- Network with existing initiatives and structures in the hospital, faculty, and university, as well as with other national and international stakeholders; and
- Establish collaboration with sustainability initiatives at other sites in NRW.
Our self-conception
As members of the Faculty of Medicine, the University Hospital and the associated research institutions, it is our task and duty to prevent harm to our patients and to develop acute as well as preventive solutions. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop ecologically sustainable laboratory practices also in the field of research in order to reduce the environmental impact of scientific research while saving energy, raw materials and money. Last but not least, the impact of climate change and biodiversity destruction on human health must be considered in our curriculum.
Role models & inspiration
One of our role models: My Green Lab aims to make a fundamental and lasting contribution to more sustainability in scientific research worldwide. The Sustainability WG wants to inspire to consciously anchor the topic of sustainability in research and teaching.