Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda have become a global priority. But how are universities addressing this? A recent study by Magali Fia, Khatereh Ghasemzadeh and Angelo Paletta of the University of Bologna offers a detailed perspective on how higher education institutions are integrating these goals into their operations. The paper, entitled “How Higher Education Institutions Walk Their Talk on the 2030 Agenda: A Systematic Literature Review,” offers a detailed overview with respect to how universities are transforming their programs to meet sustainability needs. Through an in-depth analysis of hundreds of scholarly articles, researchers have drawn a comprehensive picture of current initiatives.
The research was conducted through a systematic literature review, which identified and categorized the initiatives of universities around the world. One of the key findings of the study is that universities are focusing their efforts primarily on two fronts: teaching and operational management. Many institutions are updating their curricula to include sustainability-related topics, with some creating specific courses dedicated to the SDGs. On the operational front, universities are implementing sustainability policies on their campuses, from recycling to reducing energy consumption and using renewable energy.
Despite this progress, the study highlighted some areas that need more attention. Research focused on the SDGs, which is crucial for developing new solutions to global problems, could be strengthened. In addition, there is room to improve the “third mission” of universities, namely their engagement with the community and collaboration with businesses on sustainability projects.
An interesting aspect that emerged from the study is the diversity of approaches taken. Some universities have developed comprehensive strategies, while others are still taking the first steps. This shows that there is still a long way to go to create a common framework to guide universities toward effective and consistent implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
In conclusion, the study by Fia, Ghasemzadeh and Paletta underscores the importance of deeper and more integrated efforts by universities to promote sustainability. Achieving the SDGs requires a holistic approach involving not only teaching and operational management, but also research and third mission. Universities have the potential to be catalysts for change, but to do so, they need to develop more effective and systemic strategies, taking into account that the future of sustainability also passes through research laboratories and collaborations with the outside world.
