• IPN Director-General Arturo Reyes Sandoval underscores the “urgent need for action” on environmental issues and calls on young people to adopt more sustainable practices.
• Everyday actions, including the use of tools like ChatGPT, have environmental impacts due to the water required to cool AI servers, he notes.
EAs part of World Environment Day, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) signed a General Collaboration Agreement with Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), reaffirming its commitment to adopting internationally recognized environmental management practices.
During the signing ceremony, IPN Director-General Arturo Reyes Sandoval emphasized that this global observance is an opportunity to reflect on the direction the world is taking and to recognize that our daily actions can positively—or negatively—impact the environment.
Peter James Templeton, President and CEO of GBCI, explained that under the agreement, IPN will implement a program focused on certifying existing buildings and zero-waste events. This initiative aims to evaluate and certify institutional facilities, activities, and events according to the highest global standards. The first project will be the headquarters of the IPN’s Office for Sustainability, which will seek LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance certification.
Reyes Sandoval also drew attention to alarming environmental indicators, such as the 14 million tons of plastic that are dumped into the oceans annually—an amount that has led to the formation of floating islands larger than some countries. “There is an urgent need for action. We must step up our efforts and understand how every step we take can either improve or worsen the environmental situation. At the Politécnico, we are committed to acting responsibly,” he said, adding that this work is being carried out in coordination with Mexico’s Secretary of Public Education, Mario Delgado Carrillo.
He highlighted the need to shift toward more sustainable energy sources that do not pose long-term environmental risks, and stressed the importance of shaping young minds to foster change.
“I believe we have a better chance to shape the future by inspiring young people. At IPN, we welcome students as young as 15 years old. If we can spark creativity and new ideas at that age, that flame will never go out. The younger they are, the greater the potential,” he said.
He also pointed out that even seemingly simple activities—such as using AI tools like ChatGPT or cryptocurrency mining—have environmental costs, particularly due to the vast amounts of water and energy consumed by data centers. He urged students to use these technologies responsibly.
Mildred Castro Hernández, IPN’s Sustainability Coordinator, emphasized the importance of teamwork and strengthening strategic inter-institutional alliances to drive progress in environmental protection.
During the event, she presented the latest issue of Brújula Verde, a magazine that highlights IPN’s actions in sustainability. She noted that Mexico is among the leading countries in environmental and climate policy. “At IPN, we are contributing to this effort. That’s why I invite everyone to reflect on and reconsider our current production and consumption habits,” she stated.
For more information, visit www.ipn.mx
INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO NACIONAL
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