Umweltkompetenzzentrum Rhein-Neckar e.V. (UKOM)
The Environmental Expertise Center Heidelberg Rhine-Neckar (UKOM) is a regional network working towards environmental achievements in the region. A major goal of UKOM is to give developmental support to strengthen economic and scientific efficiency within the Rhine-Neckar region.
Businesses, scientific institutions, organizations and administrations work hand in hand at UKOM in a " public / private partnership" . Only through cross-linking the extensive human resources of the Rhine-Neckar region can environmental objectives be efficiently achieved. This includes integrating existing structures and experiences in developing a common quality marker.
A guiding theme is the much debated action model of sustainability, which demands an integrative view of ecological, social and economic criteria, as well as legal criteria. Production and consumption can only be sustained through the effective use of natural resources, and future solutions become achievable with new appropriate technologies.
Efficient technology is not the only component of UKOM's expertise. Humans and health concerns, communication and information, environmental issues (climate, water, earth, and nature) are all within the spectrum of the expertise of UKOM. UKOM sees countless possibilities that can be made possible through networking, in terms of environment, society, and economics. UKOM is undertaking the following management tasks:
- Strengthening of regional environmental expertise
- Getting environmental activities in the Rhine-Neckar region
- Connecting existing environmental networks and facilities
- Transfer management of experiences, achievements, and know-how
- Formation of topic-specific innovation networks
- Starting projects and coordination
- Network maintenance: Support of current members and inclusion of new members
- Stimulation of the job market through the promotion of innovative environmental technologies
- Information and communication management
- Advanced capital acquisition
UKOM is a "bottom-up" initiative of the regional participants in environmental protection, and has therefore chosen the status of a non-profit organisation with success measured not by profits, but by the achievement of other goals.
For members please see www.umweltkompetenz.org.
