Leibniz-IZW Sustainability Strategy Guidelines

(Version 17.05.2022)

Sustainability is an essential orientation parameter for the Leibniz Association and its member institutions. As a research organisation, the Leibniz Association contributes to sustainable development in the areas of research and transfer as well as administration and operations. The political frame of reference is formed by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which guide the Leibniz Association's actions. This is done through research on and about sustainability as well as through sustainable research and operational processes.

The guiding principle of sustainability sets the framework for a "culture of sustainability" in the Leibniz Association and its member institutions, which must be established and continuously developed in the various fields of action. The mission statement is also intended to encourage the employment of Leibniz institutions to reflect on their actions and contribute to the sustainable development of society.

> see https://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en/about-us/sustainability

The IZW is committed to the guiding principle of sustainable development in order to reduce its ecological footprint. To this end, we want to establish an internal code of conduct that ensures sustainable work and resource-conserving handling.

We strive for certification according to the standards of an environmental management system or certification of laboratory operations.

Promote biodiversity:

  • Promoting biodiversity on the Institute's land

Sustainable building:

  • We build according to the DGNB Gold Standard (rating system of the German Sustainable Building Council).
  • Ongoing technical operation - recycling management as a goal
  • Compensation for sealed areas

Saving resources/CO2 reduction:

  • Green electricity
  • CO2 neutral gas
  • Reduction of the CO2 intensity of the vehicle fleet
  • Reduction of CO2 emissions during business trips
  • Use of public transport
  • Europe-wide train instead of flight
  • Make greater use of digital conference rooms
  • Develop and use compensation mechanisms
  • Resource efficiency in the laboratories
  • Reduction of energy (basic consumption, person-dependent consumption)
  • Reduction of water consumption
  • Paper reduction (technical possibilities and working culture)
  • Digitisation of administration and scientific processes
  • Printer dismantling plan
  • Reduction of waste, waste separation
  • sustainable procurement

Communication and evaluation:

  • Communication and evaluation on the topic of sustainable development and sustainability at the IZW - Workshops and information offers for staff members
  • Publicity to the outside world
  • Transparency in implementation
  • Create incentives
  • Cooperation in sustainability research with other institutes
  • Internal sustainability budget for financing measures

Further information and contact

You can reach the Leibniz-IZW working group "Sustainability" at the following email address: nachhaltigkeit@izw-berlin.de.