Biomedical research has the potential for groundbreaking discoveries for the benefit of humanity, however, it also produces considerable amounts of plastic waste and uses 10-15 times more energy than the average workplace according to recent studies. Climate@MaxPerutzLabs is an initiative which aims to make research at the institute, and at the Vienna Biocenter in general, more climate-friendly. Climate@MaxPerutzLabs seeks to inspire action among researchers to reduce plastic waste, cut emissions from international travel, and to become more energy efficient in their day-to-day work.
“As scientists we have to continuously question the way we do things. Climate@MaxPerutz started as a grass-roots initiative led by a small group of students and postdocs. Over the last years, they have carefully evaluated the environmental impact of our research and have started fact-based discussions within the Perutz and with our stakeholders about how to create an ecologically more sustainable institute. This important award is well deserved and calls for further concrete action”, says Scientific Director Alwin Köhler.
The Sustainability Award by the Austrian Federal Government is awarded every two years to innovative and sustainable projects at Austrian Universities and Higher Education institutions. Winners are selected by a jury of renowned members of the media, research and education, and institutions in the field of sustainability. It was established in 2007 as a means of promoting and increasing awareness for sustainability processes within Austrian universities, and to provide incentives for institutions of higher education to work in this area.
More about the Climate@MaxPerutzLabs initiative