The Global Research Council (GRC) Statement of Principles on Sustainable Research
From The Embassy of Good Science
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The Global Research Council (GRC) Statement of Principles on Sustainable Research
What is this about?
The Global Research Council (GRC) Statement of Principles on Sustainable Research, adopted in 2024, provides a shared framework for research funding organisations to strengthen the contribution of research to sustainable development. It recognises that research can help address environmental, social and economic challenges, while also acknowledging that research itself needs to become more sustainable. The statement is organised around three main areas. The first is research for sustainable development, encouraging research aligned with societal needs and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The second is making research itself sustainable, including responsible travel, waste management, open science, sustainable research assessment, resource sharing and better research cultures. The third is making sustainability science matter, by strengthening dialogue between researchers, policymakers, communities and other stakeholders.
Why is this important?
The GRC principles are important because they recognise that research has a dual role in sustainability: it must generate knowledge and solutions for sustainable development, while also reducing the environmental and social impacts of research itself. The statement encourages research funders to use their influence to promote sustainable practices, including responsible travel, resource sharing, open science and sustainable research assessment. It also promotes collaboration across disciplines, countries and communities, recognising that complex sustainability challenges cannot be addressed by one discipline or organisation alone. Importantly, it encourages funders and researchers to focus on quality, long-term impact, inclusion and societal relevance, rather than simply producing more research outputs.
