Research institutions are the main source of the innovation and discovery that drives our global economy, produces advances in our standard of living and helps us understand the world around us. The integration of sustainability into the research we do and the way research is carried out can have a huge impact on the behaviours of researchers but also the outputs and outcomes of the research itself.
For research-intensive institutions the integration of sustainability from the two different perspectives outlined below can have a major contribution in demonstrating the commitment to sustainability but also lead to new thinking and more sustainable ways to achieve new thinking and new breakthroughs.
1. Sustainable Research: This relates to research that is set-up and/or delivered in a way that minimises environmental or sustainability impacts. For example, research projects that actively employ methodologies that minimise environmental impacts such as employing teleconference or video conferencing rather than extensive travel, or research that minimises carbon impacts through use of highly energy efficient equipment
2. Research into Sustainability: This describes research that contributes to or develops knowledge or understanding of some element of sustainability. For example, research that focuses upon low carbon technologies or provides solutions to environmental problems, or research that investigates some area of sustainability e.g. attitudes to sustainability, pedagogies for Education for Sustainable Development etc.
If you could offer research as a resource of the Sustainability Exchange, please get in touch. We work with academics to provide workshop sessions at the EAUC conference and we are now working with the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
SDGs - analysis of the goals and targets
This is a follow-up to our 2015 report Sustainability Science in a Global Landscape based on selected indicators.
UNESCO have released this publication reviewing some of the most topical trends and issues for ESD. They describe it as: “The present volume addresses Education for...
Researcher Development Framework - a professional development framework for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers...
Living Labs examples
Université Lille 1 : SunRIse Smart City A project that aims at transforming the University into a place of research and experimentation of urban digital infrastructure...
This 30-minute masterclass from Edie will break down how organisations can effectively align their sustainability strategies with the UN’s Sustainable Development...
IAU - role of Higher Education in Fostering Sustainable Development in 2016
Science is fundamental to many of the Goals and the 169 accompanying targets. This issue of the environmental SCIENTIST explores its role, in partnership with policy, business...
On the 28th November 2017 EAUC-Scotland hosted a webinar exploring the disposable cup challenge. This was held with contributions from Michael Lenaghan, Environmental Analyst at...
The Office for Campus Sustainability at Western Michigan University have shared several resources. Please find available to download at the bottom of this page:...
The International Council for Science (ICSU), has released the report 'A Guide to SDG Interactions: from Science to Implementation'. Released in 2017, the report is...
International Water Security Network
The Energy House
The Green Guide to Specification – An environmental profiling system for construction materials
Gemma Small
Laura Salisbury
Jessica Klaver
Emily Haggett
Thomas Fudge