Sustainability
Healthcare and climate: Our shared responsibility
This commitment includes recognizing and addressing the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on health, and the contribution of the healthcare and research sectors – including the practices of their employees and researchers – to these challenges. As a university medical center, we acknowledge that the inevitable transition to a sustainable healthcare system and society is a shared responsibility.
The role of scientific research in the transition
We recognize that scientific research plays a pivotal role in this transition. We aim to become an international forerunner in developing the necessary knowledge that enables the sustainability transition in healthcare.
Advancing Sustainable Research Together
This position paper is both a call to action and a signal of support. It defines the existing opportunities to implement sustainability in different ways, offers examples of researchers who have already taken the step, and sets ambitious goals for Amsterdam UMC regarding sustainability in research.
Additionally, a Sustainable Research Cycle was developed to offer more practical implementation of sustainability in research. Read the position paper via the link below (available from February 25th) to find out more about our plans and what researchers can contribute.
The two-pager (available from February 25th) summarizes the most important information but lacks some contextual information and inspirational case studies.
Following this position paper, a knowledge agenda will be co-created with Amsterdam UMC researchers and partners, to define the knowledge gaps that we will prioritize in our sustainable research and research on sustainability. We will also continue to provide more guidance in the practical implementation of sustainability in research.
More information on sustainability in research is available here:
- RE4GREEN online course on Sustainability and Eco-Justice in Everyday Research
- SPARKHub: a soon-to-be published open-access platform supporting sustainable research conduct
- KNAW report and knowledge agenda on Planetary Health as a topic of research
- Guideline for socially responsible research for researchers and students
- 60-minute e-learning on Planetary Health for researchers, healthcare and education professionals
- Think green, act green report and manifesto on implementing sustainability in universities and university medical centers
- MSCA Green Charter guiding principles for environmentally sustainable research practices
- Science Europe's Greening Research materials and webinars
- Science Europe's briefing paper that supports the implementation of the Framework for the Environmental Sustainability of Research Organisations
- Green Labs NL provides information and networking opportunities (primarily relevant for those working in laboratories)
Want to know more about sustainability?
Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding sustainability (in research)?