Advancing Campus Sustainability. Practices in European Higher Education
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The study examines how top European universities incorporate sustainability into their campus infrastructure, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 13). Although interest in sustainability is increasing, strategies and infrastructure at the campus level are underexplored. The research highlights the gap between declared sustainability commitments and practical actions.
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Using Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and qualitative desk research, a mixed-method approach was applied to analyze six leading EU universities.
THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are key to sustainability, but harm the environment through resource use, commuting, and high energy and water consumption. Their large infrastructures produce significant organic waste, increasing emissions. At the same time, many excel in sustainability.
RESEARCH RESULTS: The study found SDG 11 (sustainable communities) was frequently addressed, while SDG 6 (clean water) was the least reported. Universities often express intentions rather than outcomes; a lack of English-language information limits transparency. Many top-ranked institutions do not prioritize campus sustainability due to non-standard metrics, fragmented communication, and inconsistent reporting.
CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND APPLICABLE VALUE OF RESEARCH: The authors suggest enhancing data access, standardizing measurement tools, and including non-ranked universities in further research to provide a comprehensive view of sustainability in higher education. This has practical implications for policy, governance, and international collaboration on sustainable campus development.
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