ZHAW Sustainability Report Becomes an Interactive Platform
The ZHAW, in collaboration with the Zurich-based agency relyz, is launching a digital, interactive sustainability report. Stories and data visualizations transparently highlight the university’s progress and challenges.
The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) has redesigned its sustainability report: Instead of a traditional document, a digital, interactive platform is now available. The new ZHAW sustainability report was developed in collaboration with the Zurich-based agency relyz and brings together stories, projects, and data on the university’s sustainability efforts—ranging from teaching and research to operations, as well as cross-university initiatives and collaborations. The report aims to provide transparent access to progress, challenges, and underlying data.
Stories and Data on a Single Platform
The overarching motto for sustainability efforts at ZHAW is «Applied. Together. Effective.» According to relyz, this vision was translated into a digital reporting format with two complementary sections: In the Content Hub, stories about people, projects, partnerships, and initiatives show how sustainability is implemented at ZHAW. The Data Hub complements this perspective with key metrics and interactive data visualizations.
Data spanning several years can be explored and compared directly within the report, making it possible to track trends over longer periods. Thematic tagging and targeted links connect stories and data. In addition, the stories are mapped to the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
«With our new digital sustainability report, we’re linking data and stories to show where we’re already succeeding in our sustainable transformation and where there’s still a need for action. relyz has translated these complex requirements into a clear, accessible, and interactive format,» says Francesco Bortoluzzi, Head of Sustainability Programs at ZHAW.
A Concept from Platform to Launch
The sustainability report was developed through several design sprints in close collaboration between ZHAW sustainable and relyz. Information architecture, data visualizations, and user experience were developed iteratively and tailored to the university’s content requirements. The concept was consistently carried forward for the launch: In an accompanying campaign, AI-generated visuals translate selected consumption data into clear comparisons of scale and visual analogies. QR codes and short URLs lead directly to the underlying data and in-depth content in the digital report.
ZHAW is a university of applied sciences with campuses in the canton of Zurich. It combines practice-oriented teaching, applied research, and social responsibility. Through its sustainability efforts, ZHAW states that it contributes to sustainable development in education, research and development, operations, and society. relyz is a Zurich-based agency specializing in digital business consulting and experience design that combines strategy with design, data, and technology to support organizations in developing future-proof digital solutions.
For more information on the ZHAW Sustainability Report, visit the university’s website: https://zhaw.ch/nhb26
Person in charge at relyz: Fabienne Schmidli, Digital Experience Consultant; Person in charge at ZHAW sustainable: Francesco Bortoluzzi (Head of Sustainability Programs).
