With the start of the pathfinder project Sustainable Campus Launching Customer (SCLC), the first steps were taken to create an European campus network with campuses functioning as regional climate innovation engines. SCLC aims to bring climate innovation research into the market, making use of the nine European university campuses as test-beds prior to implement climate innovations into the market. As a first step best practices of approaches and research-valorisation examples were shared amongst the partners. Secondly all campuses were visited by TU Delft and Utrecht Sustainability Institute to start the inventory of potentially significant innovative research with the ability to be implemented.
Andrew Todd, Warwick University:
“The site visit was a fantastic opportunity to view sustainability issues through fresh eyes and bring the experience and expertise of other universities into discussions with Warwick’s researchers and campus management.”
Three pilot campuses, Delft, Berlin and Utrecht, are chosen to demonstrate the lessons learnt of the first phase in this project later this year. The site visits also aimed to start the strategic discussions about the role of the campus in bringing research to the market via innovation. Next steps in the project are to formulate the regional demand for innovation, exchange and test the innovations on different campuses and finally implement them in the right markets throughout Europe.
Károly Bakos, University of Debrecen:
“The dedication of a transition team can boost these innovations and innovative and sustainable thinking in itself, but adding up with the collaboration of these groups across Europe we can only see clear benefits for our institute.”
Jeroen Nagel, Utrecht Sustainability Institute:
“It was very nice to hear an Executive Board member summarise my presentation as a new meaning of the concept sustainability. From looking at your organizations footprint to the campus’ role as sustainable innovation engine to generate positive impact for your region and beyond.”