Universities of Applied Sciences: Sustainable Development Skills for Everyone

Universities of applied sciences have adopted a joint programme for sustainable development and responsibility, grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. The programme outlines a shared vision: to become sustainable, responsible, and carbon neutral by the year 2030.

At the heart of the programme are two guiding objectives: to strengthen the ecological handprint of universities of applied sciences and to reduce their carbon footprint. These goals are supported by 14 specific promises and concrete actions, which began implementation in early 2021.

This initiative also places a strong emphasis on education. All university graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to advance sustainable development and mitigate the effects of climate change across society. Research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities are aligned with this vision, ensuring that sustainability and responsibility are central to all projects and outputs.

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 will require systematic efforts, including emission reduction strategies, carbon footprint monitoring, and collaborative approaches to sustainability. Major sources of emissions—such as mobility and travel, building operations, food services, and procurement—are being addressed as part of this collective action.#

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