Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

By Anonymous (not verified), 6 October, 2021

How can universities contribute to achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals? From research to mitigate the climate crisis and environmental damage to teaching through an SDG lens and creating more sustainable campuses, academics share strategies to tackle the most pressing global challenges of our time and build a sustainable future. 

By Laura.Duckett, 14 November, 2025

The future of sustainable universities is circular

Hands holding up a sign that says "reuse", "recycle" and "reduce" with accompanying icons
With growing pressure to reduce emissions, costs and waste, now is the time for universities to reimagine their role in the resource life cycle, says Darren Wilkinson
Reading time
2minutes
By kiera.obrien, 6 November, 2025

A co-curricular approach to SDG education

Students discuss their work round a table
To accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals, students need to be equipped to tackle real-world issues across disciplines. Here’s how it can be done
Reading time
5minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 20 October, 2025

A clear vision for university-community partnerships

ophthalmologist examining a child's eye
Mutual respect, actively listening to each other’s perspectives and clear mechanisms to evidence impact should be the foundation of a university-community collaboration. Here’s how a project to improve local children’s eye health grew into an ongoing partnership
Reading time
4minutes
By kiera.obrien, 7 October, 2025

How to embed sustainability in your business school

An illustration of a green light bulb, wearing a mortarboard
Vague symbolic gestures and greenwashing are no longer enough to show your institution is taking sustainability seriously. Here’s how to embed sustainable teaching and research
Reading time
5minutes
By Sreethu.Sajeev, 2 October, 2025

Advancing sustainability on campus using data insights

Siemens
Universities have significant untapped potential within existing campus infrastructure to advance their sustainability goals. However, they must close the gap between recognising data’s strategic value and taking purposeful action based on it
By Laura.Duckett, 19 September, 2025

Empower students as co-creators in sustainability education

Four hands each with a puzzle piece that together makes up an image of the planet
Co-creation in education for sustainable development empowers students to shape meaningful projects, build practical skills and drive institutional change, as demonstrated by a collaborative initiative between two London-based institutions
Reading time
5minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 2 September, 2025

How can we teach students about social value?

A group of professionals shaking hands
Students increasingly expect universities to reflect their social conscience. Business schools must go beyond profit-focused teaching, embedding social value, impact measurement and experiential learning, says Robert A. Phillips
Reading time
4minutes
By kiera.obrien, 29 May, 2025

Three ways to address students’ climate anxiety

A globe on fire, belching smoke
While higher education has made progress with greener campuses and remote working, providing students with an education that can respond to the climate crisis will be more challenging. Here’s how educators can tackle climate anxiety
Reading time
5minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 20 May, 2025

Students as climate champions: a road map for universities

Students protesting for climate justice
Universities must empower students to lead the fight against climate change. From green initiatives to student-led campaigns, here’s how to embed sustainability across all aspects of university life
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 15 May, 2025

How can we decarbonise knowledge production?

Top down view of people working on a table around an image of the globe
An interdisciplinary approach that includes the institutions most affected by climate change is essential if higher education is to achieve net zero, argues Priya Vijaykumar Poojary
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 12 May, 2025

How to succeed as a green leader

sustainability concept
Small projects, broad buy-in, leadership-level commitment and consistent attention to energy, waste and water all add up to a more sustainable campus. Here’s how a UK university turned its climate awareness around
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 21 March, 2025

How we partner with landowners to sequester carbon emissions

forest with heart-shaped gap to sky
Universities are turning to external partnerships in a bid to adopt more sustainable practices. Here are tips on how to identify and build relationships and overcome the challenges these collaborations can present
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 4 March, 2025

Rewild your campus

A frog in a pond
Intentional planting and water and soil conservation can encourage wildlife back to our campuses and create a rich learning environment
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 21 January, 2025

Tax Taylor Swift

Hand playing piano
Is sustainability a ‘blank space’ in professional music education? Not exactly. Music students want to make an impact and some music academics are embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the curriculum
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 9 December, 2024

Dreaming of tuī returning to campus

Close-up portrait of Tui - Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae - a famous New Zealand endemic honeyeater with yellow pollen on the forehead, in a blurred green background, in New Zealand
Collaboration between community groups, local government and university students has improved bird nest survival rates exponentially as part of a broader biodiversity plan. Here is how one university is bringing native fauna back to campus
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 6 December, 2024

It’s time to turn the tide on our clean energy ambitions

Woman in VR headset against image of wind farm
Universities have a pivotal role to play in inspiring the next generation to find sustainable energy solutions, from uniting researchers with business to translating innovation into practice to growing the future workforce, writes Deborah Greaves
Reading time
4minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 5 December, 2024

Strategies to move universities to net zero

Hands holding the words "net Zero" against a blurred out verdant background
How one institution is reducing energy consumption, developing low-carbon infrastructure and rethinking campus spaces to reach net zero
Reading time
5minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 25 November, 2024

How can we improve the sustainability of labs?

Sustainable research laboratory concept
Small, incremental changes in how laboratories manage consumables and equipment can add up to a substantial reduction in the environmental footprint of research activities
Reading time
4minutes
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Sustainable Development Goals
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