Research for sustainability
At Aalto University we study many exciting sustainability questions like giving rebirth to abandoned materials, revolution towards more sustainable energy and mobility, and solutions for water scarcity. We study innovation for poverty alleviation, sharing economy, climate finance and many other topics that enable us to create practice-relevant and multidisciplinary knowledge on cutting-edge sustainability solutions.
We believe that cooperation between different scientific fields and social actors is vital in answering the complex sustainability challenges.
As outlined in Aalto University Code of Conduct, we are committed to promoting sustainability in our teaching, research contents and results, as well as in our research processes and practices.
Research groups focusing on sustainability
The SUB research group studies innovative business models and transition paths that enhance sustainable development. SUB’s research streams cover energy transitions, innovation for poverty alleviation, new forms of organizing for a sustainability, and study of corporate responsibility.
NODUS is a research group and open network situated in Department of Design, focusing on new and emerging theories and practices of systemic implementations in design for sustainability.
Water & Development Research Group is a multidisciplinary research group that focuses on interconnectedness of water and development as well as research on integrated water systems.
Aalto WiT (World in Transition) LAB a network of researchers and projects focusing on resilient communities, human settlements, humanitarian architecture, environmental awareness, pre-disaster planning, reconstruction, community engagement and grassroots action.
(SAS) network is a research platform for sharing research and knowledge to build a sustainable bio-based society.
Fashion/Textile FUTURES research group has a strong focus on sustainability and it runs several research projects under this topic.
Examples of other projects on sustainability
NPharvest focuses on research of nutrient recovery and its technologies from different kind of liquid waste, including reject water, urine, leachate and septic waste.
The Aalto seed-funded workshop series “Bridging circular economy technologies and business models” explored the question of: how can researchers from different disciplines collaborate more effectively to tackle the circular economy challenge?
Ecologically and ethically sound production of goods requires also sustainability from colourants and processes. BioColour project develops new methods for bio-based dye and pigment production and applications.
The Finix project produces new scientific research on sustainability aspects of textile systems.
Based on that Finix helps co-creating resource-wise textile business in Finland in ways that promote global sustainable development.
FinnCERES is a global competence centre, jointly formed by Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in the area of materials bioeconomy.
In the Smartland project, researchers and practitioners work together to define smart land use policies that would promote sustainable urbanization.
The ORSI project is looking to address the challenges of transforming from a welfare state into an eco-welfare state. This is done by examining changes in the policy instruments of the welfare state, seeking to identify effective and fair instruments in particular and generating information and tools in order to reach the goal.
Led by Aalto University, the Finland based circular ecosystem of battery metals consortium aims at improving the manufacturing processes of mining industry, metals industry and battery chemicals, and to increase the recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
Valuebiomat is creating solutions to transform from fossil petro-chemistry based polymeric materials to more sustainable, renewable and carbon-binding materials.
Smart Otaniemi is an innovation ecosystem that connects experts, organisations, technologies and pilot projects. It brings the building blocks of smart energy together.
Aalto Global Impact
We promote and facilitate Aalto University’s research and education for global sustainable development.
