UNICA Green webinars 2020-2021

Since 2011, the UNICA GREEN Working Group has been acting as a platform for the UNICA network to discuss and exchange experiences and good practices related to the implementation of sustainability strategies at universities. We are now happy to announce that UNICA GREEN is organizing a series of short webinars with the aim to exchange good practices and experiences and foster peer learning around some of the major issues that Sustainability Offices of UNICA member universities are addressing.

Given the growing relevance of sustainability and the increasing commitment of HE Institutions to the implementation of the SDGs, this initiative also aims at fostering synergies within the UNICA network as well as with other UNICA Working Groups in addressing challenges that are crucial not only for universities, but also for our common future.

#1. “HOW TO LEAD CLIMATE ACTION IN UNIVERSITIES?”, 16 December 2020 (11:00 - 12:00 CET)

The webinar was promoted by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Université libre de Bruxelles and adressed the following topics:

• From carbon footprint baseline measurement to Climate Action Plan: calculation of our climate impact and its importance towards climate actions and strategic planning. 
• How to implement a climate action in the institution? Some insights on the methodology to elaborate, implement and monitor a climate action plan. 

Find the recording here

Presentations

• From a carbon footprint baseline to climate action, by Rebecca Lefevere, Sustainability Manager, Vrije Universiteit Brussel 
• How to lead climate action in universities? Some insights on the methodology to develop and implement a climate action plan, by Inês Cabrita, Project Lead, Environment & Mobility Department, Université libre de Bruxelles, and Chair of the UNICA Green Working Group, and Alexandra Demoustiez, Sustainability Director, Université libre de Bruxelles

#2. “CLIMATE NEUTRALITY. A THEORETICAL APPROACH”, 22 January 2021 (11:00 - 12:00 CET)

Promoted by the University of Lausanne

The webinar will have the format of a talk followed by open discussion with the participants.

The speaker. Augustin Fragnière works at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability of the University of Lausanne. He has a PhD in environmental sciences and in philosophy, he has conducted research on the ethical and political stakes of global environmental problems in Switzerland, France and the United States. His reflections focus in particular on issues of climate and environmental justice and theories of sustainability.

REGISTRATION: Participation is free but registration is mandatory via this online registration form. Registered participants will receive an automatic confirmation email with the link to join the webinar. 

#3. SOCIAL AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY. ADOPTING A WHOLE INSTITUTION APPROACH, February 2021 (precise date TBC)

Promoted by the University of Edinburgh

Social and civic responsibility means helping to shape society in a positive way, such as by reducing inequalities or improving environmental protection. As large organisations, universities can have both positive and negative impacts on the natural environment and society, both locally and globally. By focusing efforts on social and civic responsibility, universities can actively choose to increase the positive impacts through its learning and teaching, academic research, operations and partnerships.

The webinar will provide case studies of universities adopting whole institution approaches to social and civic responsibility issues. It will also provide an opportunity for participants to share and talk through opportunities and challenges at institutions to adopting a whole instituion approach.

Call for speakers

Would you like to share experiences on whole institution approaches to social and civic responsibility issues and contribute to the webinar as a Speaker? Please send an email to office@unica-network.eu with a preliminary title and a short (max 10-line) outline of your contribution by 15 January 2021. 

Registration will open in January.

#4. "Sustainable urban mobility in the (post) COVID-19 era: challenges and opportunities”, March 2021 (precise date tbc)

Promoted by the University of Rome Tor Vergata in cooperation with Sapienza University of Rome and Roma Tre University

More detailed information will follow soon!