Authors: INAF GREEN

As the current mandate of the GREEN GdL (Gruppo di Lavoro) draws to a close, it is the perfect time to look back at how this movement began, the hurdles we’ve cleared, and the progress we’ve made toward a more sustainable INAF.

The Spark of an Idea (2020–2021)

The journey started in January 2020 with a simple letter from INAF staff to management. The request was straightforward—create a plan to meet international climate goals and form a commission to drive that change (view the original letter).

While the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020 paused institutional momentum, the spirit of the initiative lived on. By early 2021, a dedicated discussion group emerged to coordinate actions across the various institutes, with staff members petitioning their local Directors to kickstart green initiatives from the ground up.

Formalizing the Mission (2022–2023)

By March 2022, the call for action grew louder. A second, more articulated letter—bolstered by over 200 signatures—was delivered to management, stressing that the climate crisis could no longer wait (read the 2022 letter).

This grassroots pressure led to a breakthrough: the Board of Directors (CdA) requested the Director General to establish an official working group. Following a collaborative process within the signatories of the letter, a team was proposed with a balance of location, gender, and expertise. In July 2022, DG Gaetano Telesio gave the green light, and by February 2023, the GREEN GdL was officially formalized via Determina 11/2023 (view the decree).

What We Have Achieved Together

Since its inception, the GdL has been meeting weekly to turn policy into practice. Some of our most notable milestones include:

• Communication & Transparency: The launch of our dedicated web presence (green.inaf.it) and regular sustainability newsletters.
• Local Impact: The issuance of local grants and the surveys to study new, greener mobility solutions.
• Strength in Numbers: The creation of a robust network of Reference Persons (Referenti) across every INAF institute, ensuring that every location has a voice in our green future.
  

Challenges and the Path Forward

Our progress has been significant, though often “piece-meal.” One of our greatest challenges remains the fact that the GdL operates without dedicated staff; for most members, this vital work is a secondary activity added to their existing research and administrative duties.

As we move forward, the group is evolving. We have recently said goodbye to valued colleagues due to retirement and expiring contracts. Consequently, the current GdL will soon be disbanded to make way for a newly structured group, built in close collaboration with our local Referenti, and if anyone is interested, they should contact the current GREEN.

The mandate may be changing, but the mission remains: ensuring INAF plays its part in a sustainable future.