Sustainability
BME for sustainability - working groups
The BME’s management has made it a priority to explore, implement, support and promote environmentally sustainable solutions.
The working group for the ”Sustainable BME” programme was set up in the spring of 2022, bringing together university citizens active in the topic in four working groups.
The working group is supervised by János Levendovszky, BME’s Vice Rector for Science and Innovation. As the rector’s commissioner, György Keglevich, university professor at the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, is responsible for the professional work. Péter Kaderják, Director of the Zero Carbon Centre, participates as an advisor in the working group’s activities.
In addition to representatives of the faculties and the Chancellery, those involved in the initiative also include doctoral students and other students who can effectively contribute to the cause of environmental protection and sustainability in their work. One of the communication channels of the initiative is GreenHub, a closed Facebook group for university citizens.
The working groups and their objectives
Energetics and water management
Goal: The aim is to promote and professionally support BME’s more energy efficient and economical operation. In cooperation with the university’s management, short, medium and long-term proposals for energy modernisation and sustainable operation are developed and integrated into the university’s climate strategy. It is also important to educate and increase awareness among university students and teaching staff on the energy-conscious use of buildings, both at work and at home.
Members of the professional group: Leader: Dr. Norbert Harmathy (ÉPK), co-leader: Dr. Zsuzsa Szalay (ÉMK); members: Dr. Péter Kaderják (Zero Carbon), Dr. János Levendovszky (VIK), Dr. Tamás Csoknyai (GPK), Dr. Ferenc Simon (TTK), Dr. Ferenc Ender (VIK), Dr. Tamás Pálvölgyi (GTK)
Waste and recycling
Goal: Their aim is to increase environmental awareness among members of the university community, to educate them about the challenges of circular waste management and to work together to achieve it. They promote the separate collection of paper, plastic (including caps), glass, batteries, used mobile phones and compostable waste, even by placing new containers, through various information campaigns and information leaflets. They promote the exchange of second-hand goods and encourage more responsible purchasing and consumption. The long-term goal is to promote paperless administration. The aim is to recycle some of the plastic waste on campus. They also aim to move towards their “zero waste” target.
Members of the professional group: Leader: Dr. Viktória Feigl (VBK), co-leader: Dr. Tamás Tábi (GPK); members: Dr. György Keglevich (VBK), Dr. György Alföldi (ÉPK), Dr. Norbert Krisztián Kovács (GPK), Júlia Pokol (PhD student, ÉPK)
Transport
Goal: An important objective is to promote sustainable modes of transport by introducing effective measures and providing appropriate information. The programme includes the promotion of cycling through information materials, occasional campaign and the creation of tools points. They also focus on rationalising travels to conferences by promoting sustainable transport options.
Members of the professional group: Leader: Dr. Domokos Esztergár-Kiss (KJK), Members: Dr. Gyula Zilahy (GTK), Dr. Pál Varga (VIK), Dr. Tamás Lovas (ÉMK)
Awareness raising and communication
Goal: They have created and have been operating the BME’s GreenHub Facebook page and the associated closed university group, where they welcome university citizens interested in or striving for environmental awareness. Their goal is to promote the University’s sustainability ambitions and competences as well as environmental awareness in general to a wider audience, whether it is by sharing ideas and initiatives on the topic within the group, organising awareness raising lectures or promoting more environmentally conscious operation of canteens and dining areas.
Members of the professional group: Leader: Dr. Attila Buzási (GTK), Co-leader: Klára Kovács (Rector’s Office, KI), Emilia Vajda (Chancellery, ÉSZI), Dr. Mariann Szabó (GTK)
The faculty members of the working groups and the students have assessed approximately 150 proposals, which were processed and ranked in a broader audience and in groups according to their feasibility and timeframe.
- Creative Billboards Display SDG Targets at BME
- TwinEU, the digital twins project launched with BME participation
- A mix of scientific and economic knowledge on a healthy energy mix
- On 7 November 2023, Dr. János Szépvölgyi, Professor of the Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry of the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences delivered a lecture entitled Sustainable development? at the BME.
- Universities are drivers of social change – a report on the conference “Outcomes and experiences in universities becoming sustainable” with the presentations and demonstrations available in the Information material below
- The BME staff have cycled nearly 15,000 km in May
- Sustainability at the BME – Beyond the words
- Greener canteens on campus
- Bike & Breakfast at BME
- Sustainability is no longer a luxury but a key to the future
- Exchanges of experience on sustainability
- Ensuring a sustainable future – sustainability conference at BME
- Green and sustainable TDK session at the BME
- BME in the top 200 of the World University Sustainability Rankings
- Four groups started their work in the Sustainable BME programme
- A new tradition at the university: the BME Climate Afternoon started with a unique demonstration
Sustainable Tuesday(s):
A series of articles on the BME’s central website.
