The University is Embracing the Ecological Transition

Published on May 14, 2023

Already committed to the fight against global warming, the University of Strasbourg is accelerating its ecological transition policy. Here is an overview of the strategies it has implemented.

The University is implementing emergency measures and a long-term strategy

As early as 2021, the University demonstrated a strong commitment to embarking on an ecological transition by establishing a Vice Presidency for Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility, supported by a new dedicated department.^{A roadmap¹} approved in December 2022 by the University’s Board of Trustees outlines several concrete actions : raising students and staff to environmental issues, and the promotion of research related to sustainable development, a policy to reduction in energy costs , and a comprehensive assessment of the University’s of the University.

Recognizing that an energy conservation plan requires the commitment of its members, the University plans to eventually train all students and staff on the challenges of the ecological transition. Starting in the fall of 2024, undergraduate students will be taught about the physical and chemical phenomena of climate change, its effects on living organisms and societies, and actions to mitigate rising temperatures, among other topics.

One of the University’s flagship disciplines, the Chemistry of Complex Systems (CSC), has had, since 2018, an innovative research school that trains outstanding students from the master’s through the doctoral level in fields related to sustainable development. Indeed, CSC has been at the forefront of groundbreaking innovations in sustainable, biodegradable, and self-healing materials. Young researchers are trained there not only in academic research but also in addressing real-world business challenges—a way to train future scientific leaders for industry to find concrete solutions that promote sustainable development (Learn more about the Research School).

In March 2023, the University also launched an awareness campaign on eco-friendly habits² to encourage a change in habits. For every activity (event, conference, trip, research project, etc.), the energy and environmental impact will be taken into account.

Finally, scientific research related to sustainable development has a key role to play in providing long-term solutions. University President Michel Deneken emphasizes the University’s importance as a major player in the energy transition: “The University must spearhead the solutions of tomorrow: attuned to the needs of industry and the local economy for the jobs of tomorrow […], driving cutting-edge research to develop solutions (carbon-free energy, materials, startup creation). We work, we act, and we think about the future^.”3

The Jean-Marie Lehn Foundation promotes partnerships between companies and research laboratories to address the challenges of sustainable development

The Strasbourg Chemistry Research Cluster has a strong influence on the socio-economic sector. The research conducted by the laboratories continues to attract companies in the field, and the Foundation works to foster these interactions. Behind the discipline of “chemistry” lies research that addresses key societal challenges related to the ecological transition. In Strasbourg, more than forty research teams in chemistry and related fields are working on topics that hold promise for reducing our environmental impact: new energy technologies, CO₂capture and storage, sustainable and high-performance materials, green and bio-based chemistry, and more.

Designed as a true tool for cooperation between university laboratories and the socio-economic sector, the Foundation provides companies with range of scientific expertise from the University of Strasbourg, structured around industrial challenges. The goal is to jointly develop basic research programs that not only foster the emergence of new eco-friendly concepts but also develop solutions tailored to the challenges faced by the industries involved in the project.