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, 21 March, 2025

How we partner with landowners to sequester carbon emissions

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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

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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
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4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 23 January, 2025

Imagine an age-inclusive university sector

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Female mature age student at graduation
Age inclusion should be part of universities’ mission, as well as their day-to-day operations. To not support staff and students at all stages of their academic life is an opportunity missed
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4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 21 January, 2025

Tax Taylor Swift

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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
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4minutes
By kiera.obrien, 9 December, 2024

The renaissance of the essay starts here

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A woman works on an essay, using her laptop and several books
In the age of AI, has long-form writing in higher education reached a dead end? Martin Compton and Claire Gordon discuss the unique aspects of the essay and introduce a manifesto to revitalise it
Reading time
6minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 9 December, 2024

Dreaming of tuī returning to campus

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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

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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 Eliza.Compton, 25 November, 2024

How can we improve the sustainability of labs?

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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
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4minutes
By Laura.Duckett, 5 November, 2024

How to include student voices in green campus initiatives

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A student presenting a green initiative in front of an audience
As centres of knowledge and innovation, higher education institutions have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to lead by example in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. Here are ways to do it
Reading time
4minutes
By kiera.obrien, 4 November, 2024

Bridging the SDG awareness gap

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Hands high-five in front of a leafy tree
Universities have a critical role to play in increasing awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Here’s how to do it
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6minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 3 October, 2024

Using Sustainable Development Goals to foster innovation

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Globe surrounded by SDG icons
The SDGs offer both a universal framework and a way to incorporate global perspectives into curricula. Here are strategies for integrating their outward-focused, innovative mindset into everyday learning
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 27 June, 2024

Why visible senior leadership in sustainability matters

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Compass pointing to sustainability
Successful or sustainable? Is this the biggest challenge that universities face when striving to reduce their carbon footprint? Jan Evans-Freeman explains where leadership fits into the equation
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 19 January, 2024

Fostering student co-creation to give back to the community

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Pottery wheel
Engaging in local civic projects offers students meaningful learning opportunities, fosters co-creation and supports the community at large. Here, Martha Sullivan outlines the benefits based on working with the Empty Bowls project
Reading time
4minutes
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Sustainable Development Goals
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