Sustainability at the University of Bern

In conformity with the Swiss Federal Constitution (Cst. Articles 2.4 and 73; SR 101) and the Federal Act on the Funding and Coordination of the Higher Education Sector (Article 30 HEdA), the University of Bern has undertaken to observe the principle of sustainable development. The university takes its ethical responsibility seriously and is committed to integrating sustainability as a cross-cutting issue across all areas of the university (teaching, research, continuing education, public relations and business operations) and to promote the respectful use of ecological, economic and social resources.

The Executive Board of the University of Bern has incorporated sustainable development in its mission statement, vision and "Strategy 2030" and defined the responsibilities of the Vice-Rectorate Quality and Sustainable Development. A Office for Sustainable Development was established on June 1, 2012. The University of Bern has also a Standing Commission for Sustainable Development since spring 2012 that represents all faculties, the Executive Board of the University of Bern, non-professorial teaching staff, students and the Administrative Director's Office and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE).