This paper undertakes a comprehensive investigation into incorporating sustainability within higher education, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methods, our study delves into the status quo, methodologies, and impacts of sustainability education across a spectrum of international and local settings, with a specific lens on the United Arab Emirates. Our analysis spans various topics, from best practices in sustainability integration and educational frameworks to the influence of global initiatives like the Impact Ranking on promoting SDG-aligned transformations within academic institutions. Highlighting case studies from the UAE, we provide concrete evidence of successful sustainability strategies and interventions. These are juxtaposed with a global overview that uncovers the varying challenges and opportunities present in implementing sustainability education worldwide. Among our key findings is the essential role of interdisciplinary approaches and the critical need for active faculty involvement in fostering sustainability education. Drawing from a rich compilation of data and narratives, the paper presents a set of strategic recommendations designed to enhance the efficacy and reach of sustainability education. These recommendations are informed by the challenges observed and the success stories identified during our investigation. Ultimately, our research underscores the indispensable role that higher education plays in preparing future generations to navigate and address the complexities of sustainability challenges effectively.
Como empresa líder en el campo de la computación por inteligencia artificial (IA) y una de las más valiosas del mundo, Nvidia necesita una cantidad considerable de energía para su actividad. Según sus propias cifras, esta alcanzó un pico de unos 613 gigavatios-hora en 2024. En comparación con el año anterior, el consumo aumentó alrededor de un 23%, como ilustra el gráfico de Statista con datos del Informe de Sostenibilidad de Nvidia.
The seventh edition of the EU Blue Economy Report, presented in a fresh format, persists in thoroughly examining the scale and breadth of the Blue Economy within the European Union (EU). Its primary aim remains to offer guidance to policymakers and stakeholders in fostering the sustainable advancement of oceans and coastal resources, aligning closely with the principles of the European Green Deal (EGD). By providing economic insights, the Report also aims to inspire potential investors. This seventh edition of the Report focuses on a summarised data analysis, trends and drivers of the Blue Economy sectors. The analysis of the sectors Marine living and non-living resources, Marine renewable energy (offshore wind), Port activities, Shipbuilding and repair, Maritime transport and Coastal tourism is based on data collected by the European Commission from EU Member States and the European Statistical System. Specifically, fisheries and aquaculture data were collected under the EU Data Collection Framework (DCF); data for the other sectors are taken from Eurostat Structural Business Statistics (SBS), PRODCOM, National Accounts and tourism statistics. Along with these sectors, the reader can find relevant information on innovative Blue Economy sectors, namely Desalination and Blue biotechnology. These sectors offer significant potential for economic growth, sustainability transition, as well as employment creation. Comparable data are not yet fully available in the public domain, and therefore data presented in the Report for these sectors come from various sources. This year’s Report also includes special sections on Energy Transition and Climate Change in the EU Maritime transport sector, on the EU fishing fleet and the partnership in fisheries and aquaculture, as well as a section on Coastal flood impacts due to climate change along the EU27 coastline, with a particular reference to the EU Outermost Regions. This edition will continue taking advantage of the EU Blue Economy Observatory platform, which provides more timely and regular updates of the Blue Economy data per sector, EU-27 Member State and sea basin. Further analysis will be published throughout the year, as the most recent data become available, and sectors or topics gain more relevance. Analyses are given for the EU-27 as a whole and by sector and industry for each Member State. An initial regional analysis is also envisaged, to be completed within the EU Blue Economy Observatory.
Purpose
Relying on institutional theory and Oliver’s (1991) strategic responses framework, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the different strategies adopted by Spanish public universities to respond to institutional pressures for sustainability reporting.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a variety of sources, such as a series of email-structured interviews with key personnel from universities, a qualitative analysis of sustainability reports and a consultation of the website of each Spanish public university.
Findings
The findings reveal that Spanish public universities have responded to institutional pressures for sustainability reporting by adopting acquiescence, compromise, avoidance and defiance strategies. The variety of strategic responses adopted by Spanish public universities suggests that these organizations have not fully adhered to institutional pressures.
Practical implications
The results of this paper would be useful for practitioners since it tries to demonstrate whether universities, which are facing increasing institutional pressures and demands from stakeholders, have been developing sustainability reporting practices.
Social implications
Universities have a remarkable social impact that could be used to promote sustainability practices. This paper investigates how these organizations can contribute to sustainability reporting as they should reproduce social norms.
Originality/value
The sustainability reporting context is in a phase of change. This paper tries to contribute to the accounting research by analyzing the extent to which universities are engaged in sustainability reporting. Relying on these premises, Oliver’s (1991) framework might be an insightful theoretical perspective to examine the responses provided by universities to institutional pressures.
South African universities are facing significant financial challenges that threaten their sustainability. Factors such as reduced government funding, unpredictable tuition collection, and the need to generate additional revenue have become major concerns for universities. This study investigates the perceptions of academic and non-academic staff regarding revenue sourcing to enhance financial sustainability at a university of technology. Quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire. The findings show that the university is using a diversified revenue structure and that revenue sourcing is a financial challenge for the university. This implies that the university’s current revenue generation strategies are inadequate. The respondents perceived revenue sourcing as a financial challenge and that relying on a single source of revenue is not financially viable. Low research output was considered a barrier to financial sustainability and improving research output was identified as a means of improving financial sustainability. Respondents agreed that appointing staff members who could attract funding and improvements in the infrastructure of the university would assist in removing barriers to financial sustainability and increase income together with offering short courses. Recommendations suggested by the respondents to increase revenue included the need to diversify revenue sources and that offering new courses and using international collaborations and university segments to establish industrial partnerships would generate additional revenue.
Introduction: in the context of global environmental challenges, university education emerges as a fundamental pillar to cultivate proactive attitudes towards sustainability. This research not only seeks to influence individual perceptions, but also the ability of these students to contribute significantly to policies and decision-making processes related to the environment.
Objective: implement a methodological proposal that uses educational events, artistic events and social responsibility projects to strengthen attitudes towards environmental sustainability in university students.
Method: a quantitative approach and a pre-experimental design were used, applying pre-test and post-test to students from five majors at a public university. The intervention was based on four thematic axes: classification and selection of solid waste, rational use of water, efficient use of electrical energy and university safety.
Results: the results revealed positive changes in student attitudes, with significant increases in solid waste classification (from 28 % to 72 %), university safety (from 32 % to 75 %), rational use of water (from 34 % % to 76 %) and energy efficiency (from 43 % to 82 %). In addition, a strengthening of continuous environmental knowledge was observed by 46 %, representing an increase of 81 %.
Conclusions: these findings suggest that universities can play a crucial role in promoting environmental educational policies that train professionals committed to nature and future generations, thus contributing to the construction of a paradigm that integrates ethics and socio-environmental responsibility.
El Informe sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible en Europa 2025 (ESDR, por sus siglas en inglés), publicado por la Red de Soluciones para el Desarrollo Sostenible (SDSN) de Naciones Unidas, destaca los retos persistentes que enfrentan los Estados Miembros de la Unión Europea y sus países asociados en la implementación de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), así como algunas mejoras significativas en varios de ellos. Este informe, que evalúa el progreso de los ODS en 41 países europeos, subraya la necesidad de continuar reforzando su compromiso con la Agenda 2030 a nivel regional.
Sustainability has become one of the most buzzworthy terms of the 21st century. Defined in 1987 as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs", it has gained prominence in recent years, as the effects of climate change around the globe become increasingly more pronounced.
This report provides statistics on some of the leading sustainability trends worldwide. It includes key data distributed across five focus areas: economic, environmental, corporate, and consumer sustainability.
The dominant model of universities, especially in the social sciences, is often based upon academic disciplines, objectivity, and a linear knowledge-transfer model. It facilitates competition between academics, educating students for specifc professions from an objective, descriptive, and neutral position. This paper argues that this institutional model of universities is inadequate to contribute efectively to societal transitions towards just and sustainable futures. Taking the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), the Netherlands, as an example, this paper illustrates the problems with the dominant (twentieth century) model of universities in the social sciences and explores what strategies universities can develop to transform. It introduces the notions of transformative research and transformative education: transdisciplinary, collaborative, and action-oriented academic work that explicitly aims to support societal transitions. It presents the design impact transition (DIT) platform as an ‘institutional experiment’ at the EUR and a concerted and strategic efort that lays bare current lock-ins of the dominant university model and the kind of institutional work needed to transform universities.
As higher education faces technological advancement and environmental imperatives, AI becomes a key instrument for revolutionizing instructional methods and institutional operations. AI can improve educational outcomes, resource management, and long-term sustainability in higher education, according to this study. The research uses case studies and best practices to show how AI-driven innovations can minimize environmental impact, enhance energy efficiency, and customize learning, creating a more sustainable and inclusive academic environment. The document discusses AI ethics, including data privacy, algorithmic prejudice, and the digital divide. It emphasizes the need for strong ethical frameworks to use AI ethically and make decisions with transparency and fairness. The study also emphasizes the need for robust institutional rules and infrastructure to promote ethical AI integration, protecting student privacy and supporting fair access to AI technologies. The research also shows how AI-driven curriculum-building tools can educate students for future sustainability concerns and stimulate research innovation. The prospects and difficulties of AI in higher education are critically examined, including its potential to change traditional educational roles, improve academic performance, and maintain institutional profitability. Actionable recommendations for educators, politicians, and institutional leaders contribute to the education sustainability conversation. Focusing on AI and sustainability creates the framework for a future where technology and environmental stewardship are intimately connected, ensuring that higher education institutions can prosper in a fast-changing world.
Marine fisheries constitute a crucial component of global green development, where artificial intelligence (AI) plays an essential role in enhancing green economic efficiency associated with marine fisheries. This study utilizes panel data from 11 coastal provinces and municipalities in China from 2009 to 2020, employing the entropy method and the super-efficiency EBM model to calculate the AI index and the green economic efficiency of marine fisheries. Based on these calculations, we utilize fixed effects models, moderation effect models, and panel threshold models to examine the impact of AI on the green economic efficiency of marine fisheries. The study reveals that: (i) From 2009 to 2020, AI has significantly improved overall, while the green economic efficiency of marine fisheries has shown a fluctuating trend, with substantial regional disparities. (ii) AI significantly enhances the green economic efficiency of marine fisheries. (iii) Green finance, trade openness, and R&D investment act as crucial moderating variables, accelerating AI development and further improving the green economic efficiency of marine fisheries. (iv) The impact of AI on green economic efficiency varies across different intervals of green finance, trade openness, and R&D investment. These findings are crucial for understanding and advancing the informatization strategy of marine fisheries and hold significant implications for the sustainable development of global marine fisheries.
La guía Inteligencia Artificial Generativa (IAG) para los Objetivos Mundiales, creada por el Pacto Mundial de la ONU y Accenture, ofrece herramientas para que las empresas adopten la IAG de forma responsable y contribuyan al desarrollo sostenible. La guía destaca acciones para integrar la IA en estrategias empresariales, acelerando el cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS).