Sustainable development at the Fraunhofer IST

Sustainability is perhaps the most important societal guiding principle of our time. Across the globe, sustainable development processes occupy first place on the agenda. In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - an important milestone in sustainability policy. The Fraunhofer IST has also anchored sustainability in its mission statement. For the work at the institute, objectives 3, 6, 7, 9 and 12 are particularly relevant; in this context, selected activities at the Fraunhofer IST are presented below. Furthermore, projects and developments are constantly being addressed at the institute which support further or other goals.

The improvement of health care and medical care as well as the reduction of diseases and deaths due to  e.g. exposure to pollutants are fundamental goals of the UN. The Fraunhofer IST contributes here with a focus on the following topics:

• Lower pollution levels
• Innovative medical products
• Disinfection of surfaces

Further information and project examples

Enabling access to clean water for all people worldwide is an important goal of the UN. Furthermore, clean water also plays a significant role in the germ-free production of, for example, food or medical products. To ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation, the Fraunhofer IST focuses on:

• Clean (drinking) water for rural areas
• Aseptic (food) production

Further information and project examples

Against the background of climate change, energy generation utilizing wind, sun or water is playing an increasingly important role. Simultaneously, it is necessary to develop possibilities for using the available energy more efficiently. The Fraunhofer IST focuses on the following research activities to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for everyone:

• More efficient use of energy
• Energy storage for electric mobility
• Clean energy from the sun

Further information and project examples

Innovation research is an important keyword with regard to the sustainable and positive economic development of a society. With regard to the 9^th sustainabe development goal of the UN, the Fraunhofer IST is working on the following topics:

• Sustainable industrialization through sensor technology
• Sustainable factory planning
• Innovation through simulation

Further information and project examples

The increasing scarcity of raw materials makes the development of sustainable consumption and production patterns an important goal for the UN. The Fraunhofer IST's contribution to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns focuses on:

• More efficient use of resources
• Simulation-supported production
• Less waste

Further information and project examples