Knowledge about sustainability and environmental impact
Research yields important knowledge about sustainability and helps address major societal challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. At the same time, conducting research itself also has an impact on the environment. Examples include CO₂ emissions from travel, energy consumption by data centers and equipment, and the use of materials in laboratories.
The responsibility to make research more sustainable lies with all parties involved: from funders and knowledge institutions to researchers and other partners. With this funding round, NWO and KIN aim to encourage researchers to carry out their work in such a way that the burden on the climate and the environment remains as small as possible.
Sustainable research practices not only yield environmental benefits but can also lead to more efficient working, lower costs, and reduced risks. Additionally, the initiators emphasize that science can serve as a role model in the transition to a more sustainable society, among other things by developing new knowledge and innovations that are widely applicable.
The following VU projects have been assigned:
GreenNebula - Advancing Sustainable and Responsible Scientific Research Practices in the Era of Generative AI of scientific software engineers Ivano Malavolta, Radu Apsan and Elena Beretta.
Nebula is VU Amsterdam’s secure, EU‑aligned platform for generative‑AI research, enabling reproducible studies, full control over AI models’ settings, and privacy-preserving analysis of sensitive data. This project advances Nebula by making sustainability a first‑class design dimension. We will optimize the inference engine and software architecture of the platform to cut its energy consumption, provide real‑time “green cost” feedback and actionable nudges for researchers, and co‑create guidelines and workflows with researchers. Outcomes include an energy‑efficient Nebula release, open guidelines for sustainable generative‑AI infrastructures, a prototype for sustainable prompt optimization, and a dissemination workshop, promoting sustainable research practices when using generative-AI techniques.
Phoenix - Energy-aware Data Management from Practice to Research of professor Software Engineering Patricia Lago, Markus Funke and Vincenzo Stoico.
Science relies on knowledge, knowledge relies on data. However, not all data is necessary, nor is it always managed efficiently or effectively. This is witnessed by the rapid growth of energy use in data centres with unsustainable socio-environmental effects. Industry has started creating and adopting energy-aware data management tactics. Science must do the same.To this aim, we build upon the methods and results emerged from the pragmatism of industrial practice and the rigour of academic research. We create an integrated `modeling-and-measurement’ method coming from both worlds, with energy-aware tactics learned in industry, and adapted and measured in academic research.
The ULTRA-SAFE study: Ultra Low Temperature storage of Reagents: Assessment of Stability After FrEezing of professor of Endocrinological Laboratory Medicine Annemieke Heijboer and Aram de Haas (Amsterdam UMC).
Laboratories use ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers to safely store biological and chemical materials, such as cells and chemicals. These freezers are usually set to –80°C and consume large amounts of electricity, comparable to the annual use of one to three households. We investigate whether materials used in biological, chemical, and biomedical laboratories can also be safely stored at –70°C. This would reduce energy use by about 30%. If widely adopted nationally, this could save millions of kWh and nearly 2 million kilograms of CO₂ per year without affecting research quality. Results will be shared openly to support sustainable choices worldwide.
Participation in projects:
Impact assessment of laboratory disposables within life sciences research – external validation and optimization of an existing methodology for new contexts outside academic hospitals van K Bosgra, prof. dr. S. Kruijff (Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen), Aram de Haas (Amsterdam UMC), A.C. Noort (RUG).
Research laboratories have large environmental footprints, majorly caused by the products they consume. We developed a method that uses procurement data to assess which products have the highest environmental impact, helping organizations to target their reduction efforts effectively. We aim to verify and optimise the method we developed within university medical centres to ensure it applies also to other research organisations with laboratory facilities. To do so, we collaborate with partners including Sanquin, Naturalis and RIVM. The improved methods will be made publicly available to help research organisations monitor and reduce the environmental impact of their laboratory disposables.
Sustainable by Design: Embedding Sustainability and Workforce Capacity in Health Innovation by E.M.E. Bos (Amsterdam UMC), professor in Methodology of Health Technology Assessment Judith Bosmans, Prof. J. de Mast (UvA), N Sperna-Weiland (Amsterdam UMC).
This project develops a new method to evaluate medical innovations by combining clinical value, costs, and environmental impact. It responds to the recognition by the Dutch Ministry of Health and Zorginstituut Nederland that environmental impact and workforce deployment should inform decisions on which medical procedures are adopted and reimbursed. We integrate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to measure energy use, materials, waste, and workforce needs. Using robotic surgery for myomectomy (the removal of uterine fibroids), as first case, we develop a scalable methodology that supports more sustainable, evidence-based healthcare decisions before new technologies are widely implemented.
Sustainability at NWO
Sustainability is a core component of NWO’s strategy. NWO focuses on its funding policy, its role as an employer, the NWO institutes and collaboration at national and international level. This call contributes to gaining a better understanding of existing initiatives, current issues and needs to make research more sustainable. Furthermore, it encourages dialogue with the field. A good first step towards embedding sustainability in funding policy and NWO’s role as a connector within the knowledge sector.
The Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN)
The Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN) is the hub within NWO where the knowledge needed for climate transitions flows, from science to practice and vice versa. To this end, KIN breaks down existing barriers within the (scientific) system where necessary and fosters collaboration. In this way, we can accelerate progress together, and knowledge is given the opportunity to make a difference in the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient future.
Science in Transition
This call forms part of the ‘Science in Transition’ programme line. Through this programme line, NWO and KIN aim to encourage the scientific community to take steps towards just climate transitions by developing future-proof ways of collaborating, conducting research and providing funding. This programme line also includes the ‘Transformative practices and processes for climate transitions’ grant call.