Sustainability Report
Preface
Dear colleagues, students, and readers,
Sustainability is undoubtedly an issue that concerns us all. This applies to all dimensions of the broad topic of sustainability: social, ecological, economic, and cultural. Thanks to its wide range of research activities and study programs, and as one of the largest employers in the region, the University of Innsbruck can make decisive contributions to all dimensions at different levels. Overall, it is important not to view sustainability as a short-term trend, but as a permanent and
integral part of our actions.
A sustainable University of Innsbruck can only be achieved together. It is therefore very important to us to promote exchange, both between students and our employees, as well as between the various faculties and organizational units. This is because dialogue is of crucial importance, especially in the field of sustainability. There are often differing views on what sustainability means or how a sustainable future can be achieved for all.
In some cases, dialogue between the different areas is labor-intensive, but it is precisely these different perspectives of a comprehensive university that enable us to move forward together.
Interdisciplinary exchange opens up new avenues, strengthens cooperation, and is crucial to finding solutions to the complex challenges of our time. Sustainability must not be viewed in isolation, but is an issue that affects all areas of our university.
We therefore pursue a holistic approach at our university. Our aim is to firmly anchor sustainability in our governance and organizational culture, in research, in education, in inter-university cooperation, in the operation of our university, and in dialogue with society. These fields of action are not independent of each other, but are closely interlinked. It is particularly important to take these interrelationships into account.
A great deal is already happening at our university in the area of sustainability. Many of you are actively involved in sustainability issues, whether through research projects, initiatives in teaching and administration, or in your everyday professional lives. During the second Sustainability Week in November 2024, all university members were invited to present their commitment and work in the field of sustainability at a poster exhibition. These projects, initiatives, and activities, which have already been implemented at our university or are in the process of being implemented and can serve as examples of good practice in various areas, are the focus of this first sustainability report.
This sustainability report can therefore only be a first step toward providing an overview of the current development of our university and subsequently continuing to consistently pursue the path toward sustainability and implementing concrete measures. The University of Innsbruck sees it as its central task to take responsibility for a livable future.
With this in mind, let us learn from each other, network, and jointly develop new ideas for a sustainable University of Innsbruck.
Your Rector & Vice Rector for Digitalization and Sustainability
Veronika Sexl & Irene Häntschel-Erhart