iRIS/EPITA sustainability cooperation #1

Tuesday 12 May 2026, 09:00 → 11:00 Europe/Zurich

CERN

Present:

• Johannes Gutleber (iRIS, CERN)
• Hannah Wakeling (EPITA, UOXF)
• Denise Völker (EPITA, DESY)
• Carsten Weslch (iRIS and EPITA, ULIV)

 

1. Mapping of existing sustainability resources for Research Infrastructures
We will create a map of existing Research Infrastructure-relevant sustainability methods, tools, databases, references, and related resources.

2. Virtual toolbox for the RI community
Based on this map, we aim to create a virtual toolbox containing selected elements, brief descriptions, and links to the relevant sources. The toolbox should be made available to the RI community.

3. Joint dissemination
We aim for coordinated and joint dissemination to inform the RI community that the toolbox exists and to explain what it contains.

4. Lifecycle Inventory for Research Infrastructures
We aim to develop a coordinated approach to raise co-funding for establishing a Lifecycle Inventory that can be used by different Research Infrastructures. The LCI should provide recommendations for using generic elements common to infrastructures and should include an open database of complementary equipment and materials currently not covered by existing databases.

5. Quality indication and moderation
We discussed a “semaphore” approach to indicate the status and quality of database items:

• red: not available
• orange: partially available or limited quality
• green: available and suitable for use

Compiling the inventory and enabling self-submission will require moderation. We aim to develop an approach for this within the project.

6. Repository
Zenodo is envisaged as the repository. Johannes will ask at CERN whether a dedicated entry point can be envisaged for this activity.

7. Initial mapping work
We agreed to start the mapping activity using Miro. Hannah will set up a Miro board to help structure and initiate the map-building process.

8. LCI data format
Hannah will contact Arup and Johannes will contact WSP to understand the simplest feasible data format for importing external LCI data into LCA workflows.

9. Access to databases
Johannes will contact IPT/KT or LS at CERN to understand whether CERN could purchase relevant databases and make them available to collaboration members.

10. Design for Sustainability / ecodesign guidelines
EPITA is working on Design for Sustainability guidelines. iRIS refers to the related activity as ecodesign guidelines. The iRIS guidelines are at a higher level than the EPITA recommendations, but there is a strong conceptual fit. We agreed to envisage common meetings to integrate the concepts.

11. iRIS contributions
Johannes offered the following iRIS contributions:

• existing FCC LCA data, including construction and technical infrastructures;
• LCAs carried out in iRIS for developed technologies, including soil reconstitution, materials characterisation and separation, and non-intrusive load monitoring;
• information and training on multi-criteria analysis and cost-benefit analysis to support informed choices for sustainability optimisation across ecological, economic, and social dimensions.

12. Energy-related emission factor databases
We identified an issue with energy-related emission factor databases. The relevant IEA reference is not freely available, and licences for using the data in further studies are costly. As an initial step, we aim to provide examples from free national emission factor databases and to work on possible solution approaches to address this issue, which is relevant for all Research Infrastructures. OpenCEDA may be one possible option, although its level of public recognition remains unclear.

13. JRC guidelines and support
We agreed to integrate relevant JRC guidelines and recommendations and, where possible, to seek JRC support. JRC is a signatory of the iRIS project.

14. Followup project funding
We aim to jointly work towards developing sustainability development funding scenarios such as for instance an EU project envisaged by Hannah and a CSA action for the LDG envisaged by Johannes.

Next meeting
The next meeting will take place on 19 August 2026 at 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT via Zoom. Johannes will send the Zoom invitation.