About UCPH One Planet
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) has been working with sustainability since 2008. With a strong tradition of research and education in sustainability, it is only natural that we take the lead and assume responsibility for our own resource consumption and for our impact on the climate and the environment.
UCPH One Planet is the University's initiative for sustainability in education, research and innovation. The goal is to strengthen sustainability across all three areas, in line with the University's Strategy 2030.
UCPH's strategy and sustainability goals
The University's 2030 strategy states that sustainability is essential to the development of society and the University and must be included as a key element across its three main ambitions for education, research, and innovation.
The main ambitions are that the University of Copenhagen will be:
- the best place for the best ideas
- solution-oriented and innovative
- a lifelong learning partner
The University of Copenhagen wants to create benefit for more people. Excellent research, education and innovation must generate new knowledge, enlighten individuals and contribute to welfare, prosperity and a sustainable society.
Read the strategy for the University of Copenhagen towards 2030
In its sustainability strategy, ‘Sustainable institution 2030’, the University of Copenhagen has selected six main areas:
- Climate:
The goal is to reduce the University's CO2 emissions by 50% in 2030 (with 2018 as the reference year). This applies to both direct emissions from the University of Copenhagen's own activities and indirect emissions, such as those from transport and procurement. - Resources and recycling
- Chemistry
- Biodiversity
- Participation and behaviour
- Cooperation and global knowledge sharing
Read more about the sustainability goals for the University of Copenhagen towards 2030 (PDF)
UCPH One Planet organisation
Dean Bo Jellesmark Thorsen is responsible for advancing sustainability in education, research and innovation across the University of Copenhagen through the UCPH One Planet initiative.
The initiative is anchored in the UCPH One Planet strategy group, comprising representatives from all faculties and relevant parts of the administration. They develop UCPH One Planet in close dialogue with Dean Jacob Graff Nielsen, who is responsible for the University's role as a green, sustainable institution.
Three guiding principles for UCPH One Planet
Three guiding principles govern the efforts to develop the UCPH One Planet initiative. It must:
We launch activities that raise awareness of what the University of Copenhagen can do, is doing and wants to do in the field of sustainability.
We initiate initiatives that promote dialogue and collaboration on sustainability – both internally, across the University of Copenhagen’s organisation, and externally with the outside world.
We develop measures that strengthen the University of Copenhagen's ability to conduct research in sustainability and educate students with knowledge about sustainability.
UCPH One Planet Board
The UCPH One Planet Board is the University of Copenhagen's council for climate and environmental sustainability. The council has 59 members representing the entire university – including researchers, students and administrative staff.
Photo: Adam Lykke Steffin
Purpose and tasks
The aim of the UCPH One Planet Board is to engage the entire university in sustainability and the green transition – both through education, research and innovation, and in operations and infrastructure. This will boost collaboration and ensure that students and staff contribute to creating the University of Copenhagen's future green initiatives.
The role of the Board is to be:
- a sounding board for the two sponsors of sustainability:
- Jacob Graff Nielsen, Dean of the Faculty of Law
- Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, Dean of the Faculty of Science
- ambassadors for sustainability in their own environments
- inspirers who make proposals and recommendations for the entire University of Copenhagen
The UCPH One Planet Board meets at least twice a year.
Here you will find an overview of the council's meetings and read agendas and other materials.
2025
Meeting on 21 May
Agenda:
- Panel debate on the role of the university in the green transition
- Themes and priorities for the UCPH One Planet Board
- Election of chairs
- Values and working methods in the UCPH One Planet Board – expectations and ambitions
Meeting on 17 September
Agenda:
- Constitution of the board
- 'More sustainability in education': the board's input to the working group
- The board's first themes – establishment of subgroups or thematic groups
Meeting on 4 December
Agenda:
- AI and sustainability – presentation from Ruth Horak, Lau Safin and the AI subgroup
- Climate Action Day – what is it and how can the board take part?
- What already happens at UCPH – Building common knowledge
- Working time in theme-based groups
- Short presentation from each group on their plans for the coming semester
- Rules of procedure, and amendments
- Next meeting and activities until then
A document has been drawn up setting out the framework and guidelines for the work – also known as terms of reference. It describes the purpose, objectives, roles and meeting formats of the UCPH One Planet Board. At the same time, it allows the 59 members to contribute to developing the council.
Read more about the purpose, roles and working methods of the UCPH One Planet Board (PDF)
Some of the council members are appointed by faculty management and deputy directors, while others have volunteered. Among those who volunteered, a lottery was held based on specific principles. These principles ensure that as many units, departments, programmes and divisions as possible are represented on the council.
Members serve on the council for one or two years, after which new members may be appointed or volunteer, and former members may stand for re-election.
Ditte Helsted-Amskov
Senior Consultant
Faculty of Science
Forpersoner
Beatriz Martinez Romera
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law
Head of the Centre for Climate Change Law and Governance
Niklas Stentoft Mogensen
Master's degree student in climate change
Chair of the student organisation Frit Forum
Chairs
Beatriz Martinez Romera
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law
Head of the Centre for Climate Change Law and Governance
Niklas Stentoft Mogensen
Master's degree student in climate change
Chair of the student organisation Frit Forum
List of members
|
Name |
Faculty/unit/centre |
|---|---|
| Adam Prag | Faculty of Science |
| Alberte Peiding | Faculty of Humanities |
| Asger Schroll Pedersen | Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Science |
| August Trolle Pondal Madsen | Faculty of Science |
| Beatriz Martinez Romera | Faculty of Law |
| Björk Atladóttir | UCPH Communication |
| Bo Fritzbøger | Faculty of Humanities |
| Bo Jellesmark Thorsen | Faculty of Science |
| Chloé Wijgergangs | Faculty of Science |
| Elizabeth Li | Faculty of Theology |
| Fernando Racimo | Faculty of Science |
| Gorm Nissen | Faculty of Science |
| Helene Lærke Korsgaard | UCPH Finance |
| Helle Bernstorf Hydeskov | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Jacob Graff | Faculty of Law |
| Jacob Thorek Jensen | Faculty of Science |
| Jesper Hendrich Kolding | UCPH IT |
| Josefine Madsen | UCPH Innovation and External Partnerships |
| Karen Gunn | Faculty of Science |
| Katherine Richardson | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Kristine Engel Arendt | UCPH Research and Information Security |
| Lama Juma | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Lance Gareth Edward Boxall | Faculty of Science |
| Lau Safin | Faculty of Science |
| Lene Møller Madsen | Faculty of Science |
| Lin Adrian | Faculty of Law |
| Louise Kjærsgaard Jørgensen | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Lukas Christian Backhausen | Faculty of Humanities |
| Luke Schafer | Faculty of Science |
| Mads Ejsing | Faculty of Humanities |
| Marie Boesen | Faculty of Law |
| Marie Munk Skydsgaard | Faculty of Law |
| Marie Rask Hjortkjær | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Marie Ryberg | Faculty of Science |
| Mette Frimodt | Green Solutions Centre (GSC) |
| Michele Betsill | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Mickey Gjerris | Faculty of Science |
| Mie Morthorst | Faculty of Humanities |
| Mikala Hansbøl | TEACH |
| Mikkel G. Christoffersen | Faculty of Theology |
| Natasha Alison Fauerby | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Nicole Lassen | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Niklas Olsen | Faculty of Humanities |
| Niklas Stentoft Mogensen | Faculty of Science |
| Otto Tiedt Andreasen | Faculty of Science |
| Peter Furu | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Rebekka Hundevad Grønkjær | Faculty of Science |
| Ruth Horak | UCPH Education |
| Signe Hasselstrøm Vestergaard | Faculty of Science |
| Simon Hansen | Queen Mary's Centre |
| Simon Westergaard Lex | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Sophie Wennerscheid | Faculty of Humanities |
| Steffen Hentze | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Suna Christensen | UCPH HR |
| Tatiana Morante Bligaard | Faculty of Science |
| Therese Ahlefeldt Gernow | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Tomas Refslund Poulsen | UCPH Buildings |
| Vanessa Karamy | Faculty of Law |
| Åsne Skeie | Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences |