HESI - Higher Education Sustainabilty Initiative

https://sdgs.un.org/HESI

The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) is an open partnership between several United Nations entities and the higher education community launched in the lead-up to the Rio+20 Conference in 2012. It is currently chaired by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Sulitest Association - a non-profit organization and online platform aimed at improving sustainability literacy for all. Other UN partners include UNESCO, UN Environment Programme, UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative, UN University, UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, UNITAR, and UN Office for Partnerships.Through its strong association with the United Nations, HESI aims to provide higher education with an interface between higher education, science, and policy making by raising the profile of higher education’s sector in supporting sustainable development, convening multi-stakeholder discussions and action, and sharing best practices.

IAU is part of HESI and follows HESI roundtable discussions throughout the year.

Actions towards sustainability for this organisation

Action Tips SDG Compact Fellows

IAU session at the UNESCO - World Conference 2021: Putting ESD into action - in Higher Education

Global Guidance for Education on Green Jobs (2021)

HESI Rankings ratings and assessment Documents

Sustainable Solutions Summit April 5th, 2023

HESI 2023 Webinars and Action Groups

News for this organisation

International Green Gown Awards 2024: Apply now!

We are thrilled to announce that the International Green Gown Awards 2024 Awards are open. Join us in celebrating sustainability for the 10th anniversary of the IGGAs. With 8 categories to choose from, reward your sustainability journey and apply today! Don't miss the deadline on April 29, 2024.

Exploring Perception of Faculty Engagement in Sustainability: A Global Survey

If you are a professional responsible for integrating sustainability into your institution's curriculum, we invite you to share your invaluable insights and experiences by participating in our survey "Exploring Perception of Faculty Engagement in Sustainability"!

Rio Declaration 1992 and Rio+20 2012 renewed commitments from HE

The UN Conferences on Sustainable Development, in particular in 1992 and 2012, marked milestones for change and provided a platform for exchange, for all stakeholders. Higher Education strongly advocated for its role early on and mobilised the HE community to recognise the need for action and take the next steps. IAU and partners have been supporting these efforts in various ways.

IAU Engagement at COP21 (2015)

The collective voice of the world’s universities and colleges was heard at COP21 when a global alliance of tertiary and higher education sustainability networks, including the IAU, representing more than 3000 universities and colleges worldwide, jointly issued an Open Letter urging Ministers and Governments to acknowledge and strengthen the research and education role that universities and colleges play in addressing climate change. IAU also represented its members by taking part in a COP21 panel debate on “Climate change as part of the curriculum from kindergarten to university”.