The activities of the first Center for Sustainability and Ecological Transition, directed by Prof. Maurizio Cellura and constituted by a Scientific Council composed of faculty members from the University who are experts in the areas of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) set out in the United Nations' Agenda 2030, which put the culture of sustainability in a completely new light, based on an interdisciplinary and cross-cutting approach, capable of crossing themes such as equal opportunities, access to education, and the establishment of democratic institutions, have begun at the University of Palermo.
"I firmly believe that the future of the new generations depends on the goals of sustainable development, and with this awareness they will be able to make a difference for a better future. Our young people must be adequately trained to obtain the necessary skills, knowledge, values and become agents of change," comments the Rector of the University of Palermo, Prof. Massimo Midiri. "With the activities of the first Center for Sustainability, our University, one of the main players in the Sicilian territory, further strengthens its position as a point of reference, particularly in the Mediterranean context. The development of living labs, from which methodological working indications and new best practices in the field of sustainability will be disseminated, will lead to offering the territory concrete solutions with sustainable and economically feasible technologies and systems that can generate employment by acting as multipliers of development. UniPa thus contributes directly to the theme of sustainability, not only through training and research, but also with sustainable energy, mobility and supply choices, capable of decreasing the environmental, social and economic impacts of activities related to institutional roles and with eco-oriented design and management choices aimed at implementing a decarbonization path consistent with the European Union's New Green Deal."
Regional Forum on Sustainability and Ecological Transition
Among the activities is the creation of a Regional Forum on Sustainability and Ecological Transition to strengthen the dialogue between the University and stakeholders working in various capacities in the field of sustainability.
The Center, also through the support of professional organizations, will also involve small and medium-sized enterprises in the Forum to guide them in defining eco-innovative and sustainable production solutions, assessing and reducing the energy-environmental impacts related to their production processes, and implementing eco-design practices, including the transfer of good practices already in place.
Network of Sustainable Universities
The Sustainability Center has initiated a process of cooperation with the RUS - Network of Sustainable Universities, of which UniPa is a founding member, through participation in thematic working groups, from sustainable food to climate change, evaluating actions immediately applicable to the University.
Educational pathways and research
The concept of sustainability and ecological transition will be integrated into the educational tracks, also to meet the new needs in terms of key professional figures for ecological transition.
A table will be established with the University's departments and individual scholars engaged in research and innovation in the fields of sustainability and ecological transition in order to implement effective solutions applicable in the management of the University's facilities and the relevant territory.
Green Public Procurement
A structured dialogue will be activated among the various technical and administrative bodies of the University aimed at the transposition of "Green Public Procurement" practices.
Support will be provided at the local scale of initiatives aimed at the concrete achievement of the European Union's "New Green Deal."
Consumption survey and energy atlas
A survey of the University's energy consumption and mobility practices, in collaboration with the Technical Office, Energy Manager and Mobility Manager, has been initiated to estimate the carbon footprint. The Energy Atlas of the University's building stock is also being compiled.
Scientific Board
- SDG “No Poverty”: Annalisa Busetta, Dip. Scienze Economiche, aziendali e statistiche
- SDG “Zero Hunger”: Riccardo Lo Bianco, Dip. Scienze Agrarie, Ambientali e Forestali - Silvio Buscemi, Dip. Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”
- SDG “Good Health and Well-Behing”: Alberto Firenze, Dip. Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro”; Vera Panzarella, Dip. Discipline Chirurgiche, Oncologiche e Stomatologiche
- SDG “Quality Education”: Giuseppina D’Addelfio, Dip. Scienze Psicologiche, Pedagogiche, dell’Esercizio fisico e della Formazione – Valentina Cammarata, Dip. Scienze Psicologiche, Pedagogiche, dell’Esercizio fisico e della Formazione
- SDG “Gender Equality”: Ida Fazio, Dip. Scienze Umanistiche
- SDG “Clean Water and Sanitation”: Giorgio Micale, Dip. Ingegneria – Daniela Piazzese, Dip. Scienze della Terra e del Mare
- SDG “Affordable and Clean Energy”: Maurizio Cellura, Dip. Ingegneria (Direttore del Centro di Sostenibilità)
- SDG “Decent Work and Eonomic Growth”: Vincenzo Provenzano, Dip. Scienze Economiche, Aziendali e Statistiche
- SDG “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”: Giovanna Lo Nigro, Dip. Ingegneria
- SDG “Reduced Inequalities”: Giulia De Spuches, Dip. Culture e società
- SDG “Susteinable Cities and Communities”: Daniele Ronsisvalle, Dip. Architettura
- SDG “Responsible Consumption and Production”: Fabio Massimo Lo Verde, Dip. Scienze Economiche, Aziendali e Statistiche – Sonia Longo, Dip. Ingegneria
- SDG “Climate Action”: Leonardo Noto, Dip. Ingegneria – Paolo Pagano, Dip. Fisica e Chimica “Emilio Segrè”
- SDG “Life Below Water”: Salvatrice Vizzini, Dip. Scienze della Terra e del Mare
- SDG “Life on Land”: Daniela Campobello, Dip. Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche
- SDG “Peace, Justice and Strong Istitutions”: Nicola Gullo, Dip. Giurisprudenza
- SDG “Partnership for the Goals”: Carmine Bianchi, Dip. Scienze Politiche e delle relazioni internazionali
- Data Observatory: Simona Ester Rombo, Dip. Matematica e Informatica