Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee of the Institute for Neurosciences was established in September 2024 at the initiative of the Institute’s Director, Ángel Barco, to promote and coordinate actions that foster environmental, social, and organizational sustainability within the Institute.

Composition:

From its inception, the Sustainability Committee was designed with a strong emphasis on representativeness and diversity. Its composition integrates a wide range of perspectives in terms of gender, age, and professional background, ensuring that the Institute’s sustainability strategy is inclusive and spans all stages of scientific and technical careers. As a joint center, the Committee maintains balanced representation between staff from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH). This parity ensures the institutional balance required to effectively coordinate the regulations and resources of both entities.

The Committee includes representatives from all groups within the Institute—research staff at different career stages, technical staff, and administrative staff—and also includes a member of the IN Committee to Equality. This connection reflects a strategic commitment to coordinated work in both areas, recognizing that sustainability and equality are inseparable pillars of the Institute’s organizational culture.

The Institute’s Management is actively involved in the Committee, reinforcing institutional commitment to sustainability and leading coordination with the UMH Monitoring Committee for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Sustainability Committee of the Institute for Neurosciences is also represented in the Sustainability Commission of the Valencian Community (CVA), which brings together all CSIC Institutes and Research Centers.

Download Plan de Sostenibilidad CSIC (file pdf):

Members:

    • Joan Galcerán – Staff Scientist – CSIC
    • Juana Gallar – Full Professor – UMH
    • Teresa María Gómez Martínez – Technician – CSIC
    • Sandra Jurado – IN Equality Committee
    • Rosana Martínez – Administrative Staff – UMH
    • Gema Osuna – Technician – UMH
    • Luis Rodríguez Malmierca – Technician – CSIC

Within this framework, specific mailing lists are maintained, and quarterly meetings are held to share experiences, compare actions, and coordinate joint initiatives.

Activities and Initiatives

Among the actions and initiatives promoted by the IN Sustainability Committee are:

Global Bike Day: an awareness initiative promoting sustainable mobility within the Institute.

Improving energy efficiency in Institute facilities through:

    • Installation of natural light sensors.
    • Adaptive lighting systems (partial shutdown with daylight, gradual activation at dusk, and 50% reduction at night).
    • Full replacement with LED lighting.

Awareness campaigns, including informational posters in elevators and restrooms to encourage reduced water and energy consumption, using UMH institutional materials as an example of coordination between committees.

Sustainable mobility:

    • Mobility survey to assess the use of private cars, public transport, and bicycles.
    • Discussions with the Sant Joan d’Alacant City Council to improve cycling lanes between the town and the campus.

Green space sustainability: proposal currently under development to introduce more sustainable plant species in the Institute’s garden.

Sustainable laboratory certification, with the launch of a certification process led by an external agency.

The Sustainability Committee continues to work towards integrating sustainability into the daily activities of the Institute of Neurosciences, promoting a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement.

A public contact address is also available for queries, suggestions, or complaints related to sustainability:

in.sostenibilidad@umh.es