Research Ethics and integrity for the GREEN transition (Policy brief), 2025
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Research Ethics and integrity for the GREEN transition (Policy brief), 2025
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What is this about?
The RE4GREEN project’s first policy brief, “Embedding Environmental and Climate Ethics in Research,” addresses a gap in how existing research ethics and integrity (RE&RI) frameworks often neglect environmental and climate considerations. Drawing on supporting deliverables and stakeholder engagement, the brief proposes six actionable recommendations directed at research institutions, ethics committees, curriculum developers, and researchers. It argues that RE&RI governance should evolve to integrate sustainability, justice, and the precautionary principle, thereby aligning research practices with the broader goals of the Green Transition. The brief outlines how institutions can reform policies, embed climate-conscious training, revise evaluation criteria, ensure transparency in environmental impacts, and foster accountability. Its development followed an iterative approach: evidence gathering, stakeholder consultations (including validation by the RE4GREEN Stakeholder Advisory Board), and workshops with partner projects. The brief was presented at the 2025 European Conference on Ethics and Integrity in Academia, and will feed into subsequent policy briefs (the next focusing on safeguarding scientific integrity in climate-related research). The document also reflects lessons learned and outlines paths for further institutional change.
Why is this important?
This policy brief is vital because achieving sustainability and climate resilience requires research and innovation to align ethically with ecological and intergenerational justice goals. Existing ethics frameworks often focus on human subjects or data integrity while overlooking environmental impacts. The brief addresses this gap by offering practical guidance to embed climate and environmental ethics into research governance. This approach helps institutions prevent unintended harms, build societal trust, and align with the European Green Deal. Its recommendations strengthen accountability and train future researchers to consider ecological impacts, ensuring that scientific progress supports both people and the planet responsibly.future generations of researchers are more attuned to ecological considerations. In a time when scientific research frequently shapes transformative technologies and policy, ensuring that ethical reflection includes environmental dimensions is essential.
For whom is this important?
Policy Makers and Funding BodiesResearch Ethics Committees and Integrity OfficesResearch Institutions and UniversitiesResearchers
