University Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their associated 169 targets were agreed by all countries at the United Nations in September 2015 and constitute a shared global framework of development priorities to 2030. They aim to bring an end to extreme poverty, promote prosperity and well-being for all, protect the environment and address climate change, and encourage good governance and peace and security.

Universities will have a vital role to play in addressing these critical global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Universities have a responsibility through their teaching to equip the next generation of leaders, innovators and thinkers to understand the global challenges facing the world and the role they can play in rising to meet these challenges. Through their research and training of research leaders, universities are at the forefront of finding sustainable social, economic, environmental and technical solutions to global problems. Finally through their own operations universities can pioneer innovation and can set an example to other sectors and businesses.

It is important for the future of the world that all universities play their part in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

• recognising the enormous social, economic and environmental challenges facing the world
• recognising that future development must take place in a way that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable
• recognising that the Sustainable Development Goals establish an agenda for the achievement of sustainable development by 2030
• stressing the vitally important role that universities can play in achieving a sustainable future through teaching, research and operations

• support and promote the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals
• undertake research that provides solutions to sustainable development challenges
• provide the educational opportunity for our students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development
• contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring our campuses and major programs are environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, and
• report on our activities in support of the Sustainable Development Goals

[As of 26 April 2022]

Please click here for further information about the Commitment and how to become a signatory.