UNESCO Chair NTUA

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UNESCO Chair on Green Innovation and Circular Economy

The UNESCO Chair on Green Innovation and Circular Economy constitutes an evolution of the Environmental Economics and Sustainability Research Unit (ESU) of National Technical University of Athens. The Chair deals with research, training and knowledge dissemination related to green innovation and circular economy with a specific focus on their application in business planning and how this can contribute to a more sustainable development of the economy. It places special emphasis on applied research on environmental issues and how through business planning, applicable solutions can emerge that will contribute to sustainable economic development.

 

The Chair’s vision focuses on a future-oriented society, driven by sustainability, circular economy and green innovation. The Chair’s mission is to promote an integrated system of research, education and documentation in its subject, but also to participate in international actions, such as research, conferences and programmes.

The Chair recognizes the key importance of science, technology and innovation in the development of the three pillars of sustainability: economy, society and environment. It aims at reshaping existing methodologies and systems used for business development, as well as introducing green and innovative practices/policies and technologies, leading to a circular economy model.

Στιγμιότυπο οθόνης 2023-07-06 173257
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Relevant areas include:

Dealing with climate change

Climate change threatens ecosystems, amplifies natural disasters, and requires collective efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to its impacts for a sustainable future.

Protecting the environment

Protecting the environment is crucial for preserving biodiversity, ensuring clean air and water, combating climate change, and securing a healthy and sustainable future for all.

Sustainable development

Sustainable development balances economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Chair covers a wide range of knowledge, mainly around environmental issues. This range can be categorized into four main categories: circular economy, green innovation and entrepreneurship, techno-economic evaluation of projects and investments and environmental planning. It supports a set of undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to the above subjects. Moreover, its educational activity includes the preparation of diploma theses by final year students of the School of Mechanical Engineering School and at the same time gives the opportunity of preparing doctoral theses to graduates from other schools of the NTUA or related Universities.

The members of the Chair come from the Sector of Industrial Management and Operational Research of the School of Mechanical Engineering of the NTUA, as well as from other areas, forming an interdisciplinary team that has valuable teaching, research and study experience in the entire range of the unit’s research subjects.

UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme

In 1992, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) launched the “UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme”, the purpose of which is to create an international and inter-university network to strengthen institutions, through the exchange of knowledge and collaborations. Today, more than 850 institutions in 124 countries participate in the program, forming an international network with more than 900 Chairs.

In June of 2022, the UNESCO Chair on Green Innovation and Circular Economy of the National Technical University of Athens was established on the Environmental Economics and Sustainability Research Unit. In fact, it is the only chair inside the international network of UNITWIN Programme, on the fields of green innovation and circular economy. Participating in an international network of knowledge and collaborations, the Chair enhances research, education and dissemination of knowledge on green innovation and circular economy, while placing particular emphasis on their application in business planning and how this application can contribute to a sustainable economic development

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