more expensive than a flight, but we must accept that if we are to save the climate. The Head of Department, Anneli Palmsköld, points out that sustainability issues are central to the nature of the subject, and that working digitally has been a long-standing habit, as the department is located in two places: Gothenburg and Mariestad. – The follow-up will take place at the performance appraisal. As head of department, it is gratifying that the policy has garnered such overwhelming support among the staff. We are convinced that we can achieve the goals, she says and sends a special thank you to the School of Public Administration, which has shown the way. YLVA NORÉN Bretzer is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Public Administration, but also works part time as an environmental and sustainability coordinator. She says that the department has worked strategically with environmental and sustainability issues since 2014. The document, which is based on the 2030 Agenda and the University of Gothenburg's Vision 2021–2030, covers all areas, such as research, education, energy, IT, purchasing, travel, and refuse. – We want to show that the School of Public Administration takes sustainability issues very seriously and that we are at the forefront. It is not only self-interest, we also have a great deal of expertise in these matters. Centrally, the university does not actually remember what it has done, so it is important that we, at the departmental level, continue to push these issues, says Ylva Norén Bretzer. The plan has now been updated with respect to air travel. – Trips under 500 km, such as to Stockholm, must always be undertaken by train, and flights further than
Ylva Norén Bretzer points out that it’s not about reducing travel, but about reducing the number of flights.
Trips under 500 km, such as to Stockholm, must always be undertaken by train. YLVA NORÉN BRETZER
1,000 km require the written permission of the head of department. This also applies if you fly from Copenhagen or Oslo, then you will have to take the train. But at the same time, is it not easier for the School of Public Administration that is not as dependent on collaboration with other countries, which the School of Global Studies or the Department of Environmental Economics are, for example? – Yes, most of our empirical data is from within the country's borders, but we
have some researchers who collaborate with Eastern Europe and Latin America and who need to travel. Furthermore, we must ensure that our young researchers can travel and build networks. At an overarching level, there may be departments that need to take more flights, but then perhaps other departments can reduce the amount they fly by 70–80 percent if we are to achieve the climate goals. You need to look at the university as a whole, says Ylva Norén Bretzer. SHE POINTS OUT that it is not
about reducing travel but about reducing the number of flights. The majority of the trips already take place within Europe, and now it is important to get more people to take the train. – In 2018, I went by train to Venice for a conference and it went very smoothly. It was luxurious, as I had my own sleeping compartment; furthermore, I got breakfast in
bed. It is a fairly simple route, but as a large university, we must demand that Egencia step up their game. EVEN THE SMALL things
matter. A few years ago, the School of Public Administration was one of the first at the University of Gothenburg to offer vegetarian food at conferences. Tap water is standard. Furthermore, all employees have received thermos mugs to cut out the use of disposable mugs. She is driven by a desire to make a difference. – It's actually quite fun to be a contrarian, and it’s also exciting to see how you can do things in different ways. I think that sustainability issues are crucial for everyone's future. Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something, says Ylva Norén Bretzer.
Text: Allan Eriksson Photo: Johan Wingborg GUJOURNAL MARCH 2022
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