Max Planck Sustainability Network - Annual Conference

8 Jun 2026, 11:00 → 9 Jun 2026, 16:00 Europe/Berlin

Tim Krause (Max-Planck-Institut für nachhaltige Materialien)

 

Max Planck Sustainability Network - Annual Conference

 

The annual conference of the Max Planck Sustainability Network is the central meeting point for those interested in sustainability within the MPG. Over two days, we will discuss pressing issues in the field of sustainability, present best practices, and work together to improve sustainability at our institutes. In addition, MPI-SusMat will provide insights into its research in the field of sustainable materials. The conference will take place in Düsseldorf, with lectures and discussion panels offered in a hybrid format.

Die Jahreskonferenz des Max-Planck-Nachhaltigkeitsnetzwerks ist der zentrale Treffpunkt für alle, die sich innerhalb der MPG für Nachhaltigkeit interessieren. An zwei Tagen werden wir dringende Themen im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit diskutieren, bewährte Verfahren vorstellen und gemeinsam daran arbeiten, die Nachhaltigkeit an unseren Instituten zu verbessern. Außerdem gibt das MPI-SusMat Einblicke in seine Forschung im Bereich nachhaltiger Materialien. Die Konferenz findet in Düsseldorf statt, wobei Vorträge und Podiumsdiskussionen im Hybridformat angeboten werden.

 

_{A fruit tree was planted during last year's conference.}

 

Keynotes: Dr. Andrea Gokus Rethinking Scientific Conferences in the Era of Climate Change Dr. Leonard Burtscher There is no Planet B - Mission and Vision of the "Astronomers for Planet Earth" Initiative Please feel free to contact the steering committee with further topic suggestions.  We'd also love for you to briefly present best pratcices of you local sustainability initiative!

Vorträge: Dr. Andrea Gokus Wissenschaftliche Konferenzen im Zeitalter des Klimawandels neu denken Dr. Leonard Burtscher Es gibt keinen Planeten B - Mission und Vision der Initiative "Astronomers for Planet Earth" Gerne kannst du dich mit weiteren Themenvorschlägen an den Lenkungsausschuss wenden. Wir freuen uns ebenso, wenn du Best Practices aus deiner lokalen Nachhaltigkeitsgruppe kurz präsentieren könntest!

Directions

Hotel Guide

Monday 8 June

1 Arrival & Tour of the Institute

Tour focused on sustainable reasearch topics and activities by the local Team Green.

2 Welcome from the steering committee

Welcome,outlook & agenda

Speakers: Eva-Ingeborg Schmelmer (MBRA), Mr Markus Klapper, Paul Menzel (MPI für molekulare Genetik), Mr Tim Krause (Max-Planck-Institut für nachhaltige Materialien)

3 Welcome & Presentation of MPI-SusMat

Prof. Raabe welcomes the geusts at MPI-SusMat an gives on overview of the science done at MPI-SusMat to create a sustainable tomorrow.

Speaker: Prof. Dierk Raabe (MPI-SusMat)

4 Sustainability update from the General Administration

Presentations - Best Practices

We’d love for you to briefly present the activities of your local sustainability initiative!

What works particularly well for you?

What creative or innovative solutions have you come up with?

Your presentation should be 5–10 minutes long and may be accompanied by a few slides.

Submit your short presentation using the link in the sidebar.

15:30 Market of ideas & coffee break

5 Keynote - Rethinking Scientific Conferences in the Era of Climate Change

Speaker: Ms Andrea Gokus (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron)

17:30 Coffee Break

6 Topic "Motivation"

How to stay motivated as local team greens

Details TBA

7 Keynote - There is no planet B – The mission and vision of the grass-roots group Astronomers for Planet Earth

Speaker: Mr Leonard Burtscher (Umweltinstitut München)

19:30 conferce dinner // discussions & wrap-up day 1

Tuesday 9 June

8 Online discussion with President Cramer

Discussion of sustainability topics with Oatrick Cramer, president of the Max Planck Society.

10:00 Coffee Break

9 Discussion Slot

10 Organisational // Amendment of statutes and regulations & working groups

Amendment of statutes and regulations:

Since the founding of the MPSN, some of the wording has become outdated and the statutes are in need of revision.

The desired changes will be communicated in advance, discussed at the conference and put to a vote.

Working groups:

Running the MPSN is a lot of work for the steering committee, so we are looking for people willing to support in differnt fields, e.g. communication, keeping in touch with regional team greens, etc.

Speakers: Eva-Ingeborg Schmelmer (MBRA), Markus Klapper, Martin Vogel (Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik), Paul Menzel (MPI für molekulare Genetik), Mr Tim Krause (Max-Planck-Institut für nachhaltige Materialien)

11 Open slot

TBA

Presentations - Best Practices

We’d love for you to briefly present the activities of your local sustainability initiative!

What works particularly well for you?

What creative or innovative solutions have you come up with?

Your presentation should be 5–10 minutes long and may be accompanied by a few slides.

Submit your short presentation using the link in the sidebar.

12:30 Conference Lunch

12 Final discussions, planing & farewell