G. Bona - Towards a more sustainable society

Gian-Luca Bona

Towards a more sustainable society

Gian-Luca Bona is SUPSI's Sustainability Advisor. He directed the Swiss Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology Development at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA).

What strategic role does the SUPSI Board play in the implementation of sustainable strategies and measures within our School?

The Board supports the implementation of the strategic lines jointly developed by all SUPSI stakeholders. Sustainability must be experienced by all at all levels in order to maintain and further develop the well-being and high quality of life of our society.

How can SUPSI play a leading role in the transition to a more sustainable society?

All SUPSI staff must set an example of sustainability in their daily lives in order to have an impact on society as a whole. Education at SUPSI must be oriented towards new solutions for the challenges of our time. Our graduates must be able to break new ground and overcome their own limitations.

You were Director of Empa from 2009 to 2022: how can you combine your extensive experience at SUPSI in favour of sustainability?

Materials and technologies must be used in closed cycles in order to meet the challenges of the future. This theme of Empa's research must be advanced and practised in its entirety. It will be important for our students to convey this awareness in their future work.

What priority actions should SUPSI take in the short and long term?

It will be crucial that we all become aware of the limited nature of our resources. We must realise that we did not inherit this land from our ancestors, but borrowed it for our children. SUPSI must take a pioneering role in this regard. Our graduates must have the ability to develop sustainable and resilient solutions in their work for the well-being of our society.