The initiative was launched in 2021 to support the European Climate Pact and raise awareness among the VHIO community. Its vision focuses on the fundamental role that protecting the environment plays in promoting health and preventing cancer, as well as on incorporating more sustainable practices into research.

Why is it necessary?

Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges to health. At the same time, healthcare and scientific activities also have an environmental impact that we must help to reduce:

• The healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 4–5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Laboratories use large quantities of single-use materials and energy-intensive equipment. Although scientific activity has specific requirements, there is considerable scope to improve everyday practices and reduce its environmental impact.
• Data centres accounted for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption in 2024, a figure that is expected to continue growing in the coming years.

As an institution dedicated to improving people’s health, VHIO also has a responsibility to promote research that is more efficient, responsible and respectful of the environment.

What do we do?

GreenVHIO promotes awareness-raising and sustainability initiatives for the entire VHIO community. Actions undertaken include:

• Sharing good practices related to waste management, the use of information and communication technologies, and experimental design through infographics, newsletters and seminars.
• Distributing seasonal fruit from local markets every two weeks to encourage healthy and sustainable habits.
• Providing corporate glass bottles to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
• Organising seminars with experts in sustainability, the environment and health.
• Organising collective litter-picking activities in different areas of Barcelona.
• Creating an internal system for collecting and reusing cold packs.
• Participating in sustainability networks and initiatives linked to research in Barcelona.

GreenVHIO continues to identify new opportunities for improvement and progressively incorporate sustainability criteria into the institute’s activities.

We are part of SuRe-Cat

VHIO is a member of SuRe-Cat, a network that brings together professionals, researchers and research managers from different institutions across Catalonia with the shared goal of reducing the environmental impact of scientific activity and moving towards a more sustainable research ecosystem.

For further information or to share your suggestions, please contact us at green@vhio.net.