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Read about some of the work performed during 2020. |
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The core task of Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV) is to facilitate cooperation between different academic disciplines at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg as well as between the universities and other sectors in society. As for all, the pandemic has made us think about collaboration in new ways and learning by doing in the sudden transformation to all digital arenas. The ongoing corona crisis implies both opportunities and threats for a sustainable transition, where no one is to be left behind. With GMV´s broad scope of activities we strive to generate and practically implement knowledge about sustainable development in order to meet global challenges. In this summary you can read about some of the work performed during 2020, and hopefully we will meet in some form during the year to join efforts contributing to the achievement of the Global Goals.
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“The ongoing corona crisis implies both opportunities and threats for a sustainable transition where no one is to be left behind”
| | | | 1. Bringing Competences Together | | |
Multidisciplinary
Research Network for Sustainable Development
Around 670 researchers and PhD students from 47 different departments at Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg are part of the Research Network for Sustainable Development administrated by GMV. In 2020 we organized a Research Network Conference, as part of the annual Act Sustainable week, that allowed researchers to learn, share, and discuss what the research community in Gothenburg can bring to the table to advance the role of science in the UN Decade of Action. In the picture: keynote speakers Katherine Richardson, Gabriel Wikström, Gunnar Köhlin, Merritt Polk, Anna Jöborn, and Christian Azar. | | |
In a digital roundtable, researchers from our host universities discussed what we can learn from the current pandemic and previous crises in
order to build back better. A main question was how the research community can
collaborate and contribute with knowledge for a transformation towards a more
resilient economic system and society. Participants addressed that researchers
need to move beyond research networks, to engage and co-create with NGOs,
business, policy makers and civil society, and that GMV is an actor who should
continue to facilitate this kind of processes. In May, GMV and the Centre for Sea and Society invited PhD students to an online seminar and network meeting to discuss different aspects of engaging with audiences outside of academia. Another network activity was a seminar about sustainability aspects in research applications, in collaboration with the Grants and Innovation Offices at our two universities.
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Christian Azar, Chalmers, lecture on the role of science in democracy, or the art of differentiating an "Is" from an "Ought". The lecture is a recording from the Act Sustainable Research Conference 2020.
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Katherine Richardson lecture on science for achieving sustainable development.
The lecture is a recording from the Act Sustainable Research Conference 2020.
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SDSN Northern Europe - an Action-oriented Network
The Sustainable Development
Solutions Network (SDSN) Northern Europe is connecting Nordic
knowledge institutions to promote joint learning and bring forward sustainable
solutions. In line with its new strategy, the network has focused to increase
engagement and collaboration among members. At the first member conference, Chalmers, KTH and the University of Gothenburg were invited to present the Climate Framework
for Higher Education Institutions and experiences from university impact rankings. The agenda also included a panel of Nordic experts, discussing how academia can contribute to the SDGs.
In cooperation with the universities of Gothenburg, Karolinska,
Luleå, Lund, Uppsala, Örebro,
SLU, KTH, and
Chalmers, the secretariat developed a survey to
track how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected travels and use of digital
meetings among employees. The aim was to get comparable data for different
universities and to enable new travel and meeting strategies.
Together with Oslo
Metropolitan University and Södertörn University, a webinar was arranged where
participants discussed how to succeed in inter- and trans-disciplinary science
and co-creation to promote more sustainable societies.
SDSN Youth in Northern Europe created
an SDG
Coloring Book as
a free online resource for children and youth worldwide.
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A Network of Atmosphere and Climate Researchers The Gothenburg Air and Climate Network (GAC) collects more than 250 researchers from 20+ research environments in Western Sweden, to increase cooperation and coordination of resources and activities in atmospheric science and climate research. In 2020, GAC continued to offer a monthly seminar series that combined PhD student presentations with other guests. In a COVAIR workshop in June researchers discussed impacts of the global pandemic slowdown on air quality and climate, and in November at the GAC Biennal keynote speakers discussed carbon reserves and cycling, from “Blue Carbon”, Isaac Rodrigues Dos Santos, University of Gothenburg, to tech-based solutions, Filip Johnsson, Chalmers, and Arctic vegetation-climate feedbacks, Anne Bjorkman, University of Gothenburg.
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Increasing Knowledge About Sustainable Work Life
Through its popular seminar series, Work and Employment Research Centre (WE) continued to spread research results about sustainable work life to a wide audience of public and private actors. Highly current topics such as work environment in elderly care, green transition and jobs, and the development of the labor market during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been addressed in the much-appreciated seminars. In the beginning of the year WE got new financing for another period of three years and two new directors for the centre took office; Maria Norbäck, Department of Business Administration, and Tomas Berglund, Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg.
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Joining Efforts Towards Climate Neutral Freight Transportation
The network Climate-neutral Freight Transportation (KNEG), co-ordinated by GMV, brings together some of Sweden's leading vehicle manufacturers, fuel and logistics companies, as well as Chalmers and the Swedish Transport Administration to jointly work towards climate neutral freight transportation. During 2020, KNEG has adjusted to working and collaborating in a digital environment. Continuous meetings have been carried out and a digital workshop focusing on emission calculations and customer demands on transportation was held. Furthermore, 2020 concluded KNEG’s initial phase, and work has now begun to see if the initial goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from road freight transport has been achieved.
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See
the National Agenda 2030 coordinator
Gabriel Wikström's talk from
The Agenda 2030 in West Sweden annual conference 2020. (In Swedish)
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Promoting Regional Partnership Between Actors in West Sweden
The collaboration forum Agenda 2030 in West Sweden focuses on connecting
businesses, regional authorities, research organisations and civil society to
stimulate cooperation and innovation for sustainable development in West
Sweden. The Agenda 2030 annual conference 2020 in November, with National Agenda 2030 coordinator
Gabriel Wikström as one of the speakers, focused on learnings from the pandemic and offered knowledge-raising lectures, workshops and opportunities to network. During the year, forum meetings attracting participants from different sectors were organized adressing biodiversity and
the value of the forest in a changing climate and how to create an open
and inclusive society.
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During the annual science festival 2020 in Gothenburg, Focali members arranged an event on the roles of forests and trees in the climate crisis. In the photo: Anna Tengberg, Swedish International Water Institute (SIWI), Madelene Ostwald, Chalmers, and Jonas Edblad, Wingårdhs Arkitektkontor.
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Connecting Forest, Climate and Development Issues
During 2020, the multidisciplinary research
network
Focali (Forest, Climate, and Livelihood research network) launched
the Focali – SIANI Dialogue Forum. This new initiative aims to increase
exchange and joint action on linked challenges related to forest, biodiversity,
climate and development issues. The themes in focus are high on the global
policy agenda 2021, and include emerging trends such as how the COVID-19
pandemic has impacted forest communities and forest use, where new knowledge
and recommendations for green and inclusive recovery are needed. Researchers
from a broad range of disciplines will contribute to these global research,
policy and practice dialogues ahead. The Focali network gathers more than 100 researchers
at universities and research institutes across Sweden, and collaborates closely
with the Sida-funded Swedish International Agriculture Network Initiative
(SIANI) hosted by the Stockholm Environment Institute. | | |
AgriFoSe2030 Launched a Second Phase
GMV is a partner in Agriculture for Food Security (AgriFoSe2030), a research programme contributing to sustainable intensification of agriculture for increased food production on existing agricultural land; the aim is to do so by transforming practices toward more efficient use of human, financial and natural resources. During autumn 2020 the second phase of AgriFoSe2030 was launched, in which the programme will place further emphasis on cooperation between its different consortium partners and between its topical focuses. The second phase is structured around challenges that
outline key issues for smallholder agriculture in focal regions, to ensure a
clearer pathway toward achieving the programme’s overall goal.
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”Through Global Sustainable Futures we want to increase the visibility and enthusiasm around collaboration in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. All partners have a lot to learn from each other between different parts of the world."Magdalena Eriksson, who was appointed Platform Leader for Global Sustainable Futures in 2020.
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A Platform for Collaboration with Low- and
Middle-Income Countries
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Global Sustainable Futures (GSF) began operations on 1 January 2020. In March, GSF organized a kick-off meeting that drew an audience from
both Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, which jointly launched GSF.
Throughout the year, the platform arranged four lunch webinars, focusing on
different dimensions of collaboration. In November, the GSF Research
Conference, featuring keynote lectures and two parallel
tracks for “peer-to-peer
learning”, took place. Researchers
presented their findings, from baking bread with enhanced iron bioavailability
and improved
cooking stoves to grassroots
initiatives and democracy. Global Sustainable Futures also initiated an
extensive mapping of interests in exchange and collaboration between Chalmers
and the University of Gothenburg and partners in low- and middle-income countries.
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Centre for Sustainable
Urban Futures
Working With Co-production
As of 1 January 2020 Mistra Urban Futures’
former platform in Gothenburg was reorganised and called Centre for
Sustainable Urban Futures, and during the year Marcus Jahnke was appointed Platform
Leader for the
centre. This research- and knowledge centre at GMV is based on a partnership
between Chalmers, the University of Gothenburg, IVL Swedish
Environmental Research Institute, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden,
Gothenburg Region (GR), City of Gothenburg, County Administrative Board of
Västra Götaland and Region Västra Götaland. Urban Futures is working within the
field of sustainable urban development with a transdisciplinary approach and
based on co-production of knowledge, offering an environment where theory and
practice can meet. All projects engages both researchers and practitioners with
the aim to realize fair, green and accessible cities. During the autumn Urban
Futures got funding for four new projects with a total budget of 7,5 million
SEK. The centre also arranged a series of well attended Urban Lunch-time seminars online
addressing current topics. Urban Futures was identified as an important
actor in supporting the City of Gothenburg in realizing the intentions in
the recently decided Climate Contract 2030. | 2. Supporting Future Change Makers
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Elin Gustafsson, vice-chairperson at Konstkåren,
was one of the hosts of Act Sustainable 2020. Here in the studio at Media Technology at the University of Gothenburg, presenting keynote speaker Emma Frans and the lecture on filter bubbles and fake news.
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An Active Student Hub for Sustainable Development
GMV has the task to support student
initiatives within sustainability at Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg.
Both institutions have several active student associations in the field, all of
which work together within the framework of Gothenburg Students for
Sustainability Alliance (GSSA), coordinated by the GMV Student Sustainability Hub.
In 2020 new sustainability
associations were formed, among others the Vegan Student Association Gothenburg
(VSA) and GU-Fem. The Student Sustainability Hub, in collaboration with
the student organisations and the University libraries at Chalmers and the
University of Gothenburg carried out the campaign Travel far from home on Instagram
during the summer, highlighting more than 25 books related to sustainability
under the hashtag #farfromhomegbg.
The GMV student sustainability newsletter, providing information about student
related news and activities, reached by the end of the year 1300
subscribers.
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Courage and Innovation took the Sustainability Week all the way
2020 year's edition of Chalmers' and the University of Gothenburg's sustainability week
Act Sustainable became a completely digital event, due to the corona pandemic.
With innovation and the courage to move forward together we were able to carry out a successful sustainability week
for students, researchers and staff
in a completely new format. Several student organisations hosted sessions during the week on topics such as drugs and the Global Goals, sustainable urban
planning, waste management and plant-based diets, together with
researchers from the universities and external guests.
The keynote speaker for Act Sustainable 2020 was researcher and science journalist Emma Frans.
Act Sustainable 2020 reached over 1500 people from around the globe. In addition to Sweden,
participants joined in from Germany, USA and England, and visitors
watched from Norway, Japan, Iran and Germany.
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Six students at the University of Gothenburg were given this year’s GUSTA award for their outstanding theses written on topics related to sustainable development. The awardees “received” the award from Pro-vice-chancellor Mattias Goksör in an
online ceremony during the Act Sustainable week in November.
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Students Awarded for Outstanding Theses Related to Sustainable Development
Six students at the University of Gothenburg were given this year’s GUSTA award for their outstanding theses written on topics related to sustainable development. The winning theses covered a broad range of topics across several programmes in various faculties which include: Political science, Innovation and Industrial Management and Global studies. The awardees were selected by a scientific committee comprised of eight professors from seven different faculties at the University of Gothenburg. Find video presentations by the awardees, links to awarded theses and more information about the award here.
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Supporting the Integration of Sustainable Development in Education
A series of Forums
were arranged by GMV in 2020, with a focus on sustainable development in higher education. The forums served as platforms for various actors to meet and discuss how sustainable development can be integrated into education at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers. Various issues have been addressed, and each occasion has gathered a wide range of lecturers and other participants from different disciplines and roles; researchers, employees and students. | | | 3. Implementing
Research Findings
and Providing
Knowledge |
Online Tool Helping
Organisations to Describe their Impact on the SDGs
The SDG Impact Assessment Tool is a free online resource that
helps academia, businesses and other organisations to describe their impact on
the Global Goals. During 2020, the tool has become widely spread, both
geographically and among different types of organisations, and now has more
than 6500 users globally. Some new users, for example Swedish municipalities
and regions, have found the tool useful in their operations and planning. A new
User Guide for the tool has recently been
published and the tool has been demonstrated at several workshops during 2020.
It was, for example, selected to be demonstrated at a workshop arranged by the
Swedish National Coordinator for Agenda 2030. The tool has also been used in the MISTRA Carbon Exit
research programme, where sustainability
assessments of pathways to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden
has been made. This work was presented in the report SDG Impact Assessment of Mistra Carbon Exit pathways – One plus 16
dimensions of sustainability.
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New Green Economy Program for East Africa
During 2020, GMV and Environment for Development (EfD) jointly got funding
from Sida to collaborate in an extensive program for capacity development in five African
countries. The program aims at strengthening government agencies in East Africa to
transform towards an inclusive green economy (IGE). Both EfD and GMV have a
long history of working with capacity development in this region. This program,
however, is more comprehensive than previous ones and includes some new
features. For instance, by emphasizing inclusion, the program highlights the
importance of broad stakeholder involvement and ensuring that green economy
policies are not implemented at the expense of poor and vulnerable people.
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Enhancing Environmental Integration in Swedish Development Cooperation
Through a joint Helpdesk for Environment and Climate Change, experts at GMV and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
in Uppsala, serve as advisors to the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (Sida) to support them to better integrate environmental
perspectives in Swedish development cooperation. In 2020, the Helpdesk carried
out around 150 assignments for Sida, including expert support in projects and
programmes, international processes, country and regional analyses and support
for development of methods and skills in Sida. By supporting integration of
climate and environmental considerations in Swedish development cooperation,
this advice contributes in very concrete ways to Sweden’s and the partner countries’
operationalisation of Agenda 2030.
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Leading an EU Erasmus+
Programme on Strategic Environmental Assessment in Asia
GMV has EU Erasmus+ funding to implement a capacity building programme on Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA) among six universities in Asia, and three
universities in Europe, and to strengthen higher education teaching of SEA in
these universities. University of Gothenburg is lead institution in this
programme. The programme promotes building up of masters programmes on SEA,
strengthen collaboration with actors outside academia, and promote stakeholder interaction
via enhanced use of SEA. Due to the corona pandemic a new work plan was agreed
between all nine universities. The kick off meeting in February, planned to be
held in Hanoi with Thuyloi University as host, was held online. It enhanced
internal understanding about the programme, set of actions and strengthened the
consortium network. A baseline survey was conducted with the purpose to collect
information about each university’s specific needs and capacities, to use as a
point of departure in implementing the programme.
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Strengthening Researchers in Strategic Cooperation for Sustainable Development
GMV has the ambition to disseminate and strengthen knowledge and support
researchers who want to bridge the gap between research and decision-making.
GMV arranged courses and workshops in various contexts during 2020. For
example, a workshop on research-policy interaction was implemented within the
frame of the Erasmus+ SEA-programme. The annual PhD course From Research to Policy for Sustainable Development was conducted during the year, giving
doctoral students from Chalmers, the University of Gothenburg and other Swedish
universities an understanding of political decision-making as well as tools to facilitate
effective researcher-policy maker interaction.
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Coaching on Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation in Asia
Since 2016, GMV has contributed to the Sida-funded international training programme Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation (SUWAS) through a mentorship role for participants from Asia. Through the programme, individuals and key organisations have been supported to adopt more sustainable, inclusive and integrated water and sanitation solutions for people living in poor urban areas. The programme aims to support increased capacity to provide universal and equitable water, sanitation and hygiene services in the organisations of around 500 individuals from five Asian and five African countries.
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Climate Framework for Swedish Universities
Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg are, together with over 30 other Swedish universities, part of the
Climate Framework
for Higher Education Institutions
initiated by Chalmers and KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
The framework acts as the starting off point for developing specific climate strategies at those universities who have signed up. The goal is to contribute to national and international measures to keep to the 1.5C warming limit. The focus of the framework is on the emissions from universities’ own activities (direct impact), but it also addresses the impact from the core operations; education, research and collaboration (indirect impact).
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Carbon Offsetting Funding New Projects
GMV has the operational responsibility for developing and following up the environmental management system at the University of Gothenburg. The university carbon offsets all work-related air travel through an internal climate fund
administered by GMV. During 2020, students could apply for grants from the fund to finance projects designed to reduce the University’s climate impact. In 2020, 5 different projects were granted funding. The climate fund also enabled to carry out two studies during 2020; a study for the University’s climate impact and a study for the University’s carbon dioxide budget, two initiatives within the Climate Framework.
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The FRAM Centre - for Safe Use of Chemicals
Chemical production is
expected to double by 2030. Therefore, the FRAM Centre works to increase
knowledge about chemicals, assess their risks, and propose management
strategies, e.g. taxes, laws, and policy frameworks. Special activities during
2020 included a field campaign by the Swedish west coast. Since chemicals
travel the world, FRAM arranged a workshop with technical experts from around
the world to discuss criteria for substances of international concern. FRAM
also participated in a Swedish government investigation about taxation of
chemicals in textiles and joined a new network for chemical substitution.
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Lead University for
SDG 8
The
University of Gothenburg, as part of the International Association of
Universities (IAU) and its Higher Education and Research for Sustainable
Development (HESD) Cluster, is lead
university on SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable
economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Every goal has its lead university, with connecting satellite universities,
resulting in a global network of universities coordinating different goals. The
SDG 8-Initiative includes eight universities in South America, Africa, and
Asia. In January 2020, representatives of these institutions met in Gothenburg
for an initial meeting. The focal point during 2020 was to initiate research
syntheses and assessments of targets in SDG 8. Towards the end of the year,
nine thematic groups had been formed, each one coordinated by a researcher at
the University of Gothenburg.
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Developing Methods to Evaluate Collaboration
In Vinnova’s so-called K3 program (the knowledge triangle), several initiatives have been launched to strengthen the collaboration capacity of the Swedish higher education institutions. In one of these projects, Agenda 2030 and the Global Goals for sustainable development as a framework for collaboration (Agera) coordinated by GMV, methods for evaluating collaboration initiatives and their contribution to the Global Goals are developed.
Through the project, Chalmers, the University of Gothenburg and six other Swedish participating educational institutions, strengthen their internal processes to spur and encourage employees to take on sustainable development.
During 2020, outputs from the project were compiled and discussed in a national dialogue together with the other projects in Vinnova’s K3 program.
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Highly Ranked Even with Increased Competition in Global Sustainability Ranking
The University of Gothenburg landed at the
45th spot in this year’s Times Higher Education Impact ranking of the world’s universities based on the
Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The university is also highly ranked
in several subcategories. For example, it placed 14th for Goal 5 on gender equality.
The ranking looks at more than 750 universities in 85 countries based on indicators
defined around the 17 Global Goals in Agenda 2030. Several leading universities decided not to participate, among others Chalmers.
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Ulrika Modéer, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and director
at UNDP attended GMV’s teacher training series and gave a speech on the Decade of Action.
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Teacher Training Series on Agenda 2030
GMV’s teacher training series aims at providing teachers with inspiration and the tools they need to teach schoolchildren about the Global Goals. Researchers from Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg give inspiring lectures on the goals based on their research and educators from Universeum and the World Culture Museum lead workshops on how to work further with the goal in school. In 2020, the series was conducted for the 5th year when all the 17 Global Goals had been reviewed. The series then continued on the theme how the goals are interconnected, when Ulrika Modéer, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and director at UNDP attended and gave a speech on the Decade of Action.
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The Global Goals and Movement in Podcast episode
The GMV-produced podcast
Målmedvetenskap released a new episode during 2020, which was recorded as a
livestreamed event during Gothenburg Science Festival. Camilla Brudin Borg, University
of Gothenburg, and Daniel Svensson, Chalmers, participated, and the episode centered
around a conversation about research, collaboration and the SDGs, starting in
the theme of the festival; Movement.
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Daniel Svensson, Chalmers and
Camilla Brudin Borg, University
of Gothenburg, discussing research, collaboration and the SDGs in the GMV-produced podcast
Målmedvetenskap.
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WIN WIN Award Ceremony
2020´s WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award put light on biodiversity. The WIN WIN award ceremony
offered presentations by the award winner Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the WIN WIN Youth Award winner Forested Foods. The award ceremony also featured a panel discussion moderated by science journalist Torgny Nordin, a presentation by Per Bolund, at the time Minister for Financial Markets and Housing and Deputy Minister for Finance as well as spokesperson for the Swedish Green Party, music by Sara Parkman and dance by A Bunda. WIN WIN Award also organised the WIN WIN Youth Arena – an opportunity for young people to express themselves in the sustainability debate. Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg are partners of the award and the WIN WIN Award office is located at GMV. | | |
Representatives for the WIN WIN Award winner Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the WIN WIN Award jury at the award ceremony. Photo by Fabian Beiving
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Science Tourism, Biodiversity and Seafood at the Science Festival
On a regular basis, GMV arranges popular science talks on how the Global Goals are connected. At the digital Science Festival 2020 a seminar was broadcasted live from Tjärnö marine laboratory, where two experts discussed how SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth and SDG 14: Life below water are connected by examples from a new research project on how science tourism in marine environments can attract visitors to taste new marine food products. The talk was given by Maria Bodin, project leader for Scary Seafood and Maria Persson, researcher in a project led by Centre for Tourism.
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This is an e-mail from the Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV).
GMV creates and facilitates cooperation, between and within Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, with an aim to generate and practically implement knowledge about sustainable development. GMV answers directly to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg, Eva Wiberg and President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology, Stefan Bengtsson.
www.gmv.chalmers.gu.se | gmv@chalmers.se
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