The University of Gotenburg began to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) during 1998 and 1999 according to the recommendations given by the Swedish government, first in "Ecological sustainability" (1997) and "Integrating environmental issues in Governmental Organizations" (1996). In February 2000 the University Board decided that the objective for the university should be to receive an ISO14001 certification. After six years of hard work the University finally achieved its ISO14001 certificate in January 2006, along with an EMAS registration.
Action plan för environment and sustainable development 2011-2015
A sustainability report is produced annually. It contains both activities and progress in the administrative field, ie university operations, and in research and education at the University. An English version is available:
Sustainability report 2011GRI-G3 Content Index 2011
Report on environmental management work at The University of Gothenburg 2011
University of Gothenburg adopted its first environmental policy in 1997. It has been revised a few times since then.
Environmental policy
[12 Apr 2012] The University of Gothenburg wants to encourage its employees to cycle and walk to and from work. We are therefore participating in Cykelutmaningen (Bicycle Challenge) 2012 and this year we will pay the entry fee for the first 250 employees. There are still a few free entries left.
[3 Mar 2011] On Saturday 26 March, between 20.30 and 21.30, the University of Gothenburg will turn off the lights for the sake of the climate. The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) is behind Earth Hour, which is an annual event when everyone is encouraged to turn off the lights for an hour.
[7 Jul 2010] From 20 September to 3 October, the University of Gothenburg will participate in the car-free commuting challenge Utmaningen - till jobbet utan bil arranged by the Traffic and Public Transport Office in connection with the European Mobility Week. To participate, if you normally drive to work, choose another alternative; if you already are a non-car commuter, get somebody you know to do the same for at least one day.
Box 170, 405 30 Göteborg
Visiting Address:
Aschebergsgatan 44
Phone:
031-786 1545
Download a folder on the Sustainable University here