5. Helmholtz Sustainability Summit
5. Helmholtz Sustainability Summit - Summary
On 26 and 27 November 2024, the 5th Sustainability Summit took place at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. This year's motto of the summit, which was open to all, was: "Committed together - supporting sustainability & CSRD through synergies". In many organisations, voluntary reporting is becoming an obligation, which is perceived as both an opportunity and a major challenge for the sustainable development of the respective organisations. With this summit, the Helmholtz Sustainability Forum Working Group wanted to provide support and show how this complex task can be approached. The summit also offered a platform for discussion and the exchange of experiences and tips in order to find solutions to the challenges together. Topic-specific presentations were organised, which included an in-depth look at the CSRD reporting obligation and sustainable work and research. Optional guided tours were offered, providing an opportunity for participants to familiarise themselves with the DKFZ and its specific sustainability projects. Max Thinius spent an hour taking the audience into a future world of decentralisation and digitality. External guests from business and consulting also took part in a moderated panel discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of mandatory sustainability reporting for research organisations. The evening get-together with music and an excellent vegan buffet offered all participants another opportunity to engage in in-depth dialogue in a relaxed atmosphere.
The following day focussed on the workshops, which were designed to be playful, interactive and informative and thus covered specific topics such as governance, environmental and social standards of CSRD plus a focus on the topic of sustainable research. Best practice examples were developed and shared in all workshops. Overall, the Summit demonstrated what the CSRD reporting obligation for research organisations entails and how these challenges can be tackled.
The 5th Helmholtz Sustainability Summit was an important step towards addressing the CSRD reporting obligation independently of any institution. The event provided a platform for all on-site participants to discuss and share experiences and tips in order to jointly find solutions to the challenges and leverage possible synergies. Those who followed the stream on the first day were also able to gain an initial impression of the opportunities and challenges that the Helmholtz Association believes the new sustainability reporting obligation could bring for their organisation. The Helmholtz Association will continue to engage intensively with the CSRD and also try to leverage possible synergies within the Alliance of Research Organisations together with all members.