The University of Sussex, a leading research-intensive university in the UK, has invested over the past few years \u00a33 million for establishing a global research program to accelerate the implementation of the United Nation\u2019s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n
On August 1, the university declared\u00a0a climate emergency with Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell stating that\u00a0\u201cunless the higher education sector works together to address the problem at every possible juncture, we will be failing the young people who turn to us \u2013 and who need us to protect their futures.\u201d<\/p>\n
In making the move, the university pledged to bring together academic experts from across the globe to devise the technological and policy solutions needed to\u00a0tackle climate change.<\/p>\n
Led by\u00a0former UN Chief Scientist Professor Joseph Alcamo, experts in\u00a0the Sussex Sustainability Research Program (SSRP)\u00a0believe the SDGs can be achieved much faster by tackling related goals together – for example, food with biodiversity and energy with water.<\/p>\n
The SSRP builds on two threads of excellence at the University of Sussex and Institute of Development Studies: a long, distinguished record in sustainability science and worldwide leadership in development studies. Sussex has been number one in the world for development studies for four of the last five years.<\/p>\n
Adam Tickell, who spoke on the issue at the UN High-level Political Forum on sustainable development in New York earlier this month, said:\u00a0\u201cAt its core, climate change is a problem to be solved – admittedly a huge one – and universities are great at problem solving and educating the next generation of problem solvers.”<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve previously been unsure about declaring a climate emergency as I believe more in actions than words. But in visiting the UN and witnessing the achievements of youth movements in recent months, I\u2019ve seen that words have tremendous power to drive actions on a global scale.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is absolutely clear to me that the urgent action needed to address the daunting challenge of global climate change cannot be achieved without the expertise and collective voice of the world\u2019s universities.”<\/p>\n
\u201cSussex is in an extremely strong position to lead this charge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The university is also drawing on its academic expertise to become as green as possible\u00a0in its own activities. Among other developments, in recent years Sussex has installed 3,000 solar panels across its campus, the largest solar energy project at any UK university. It has also doubled the use of reusable mugs for hot drinks\u00a0sold on campus; increased recycling and food waste facilities\u00a0for students, staff and visitors; implemented sustainable transport initiatives,\u00a0such as installing charging points for electric vehicles; established a socially responsible investment\u00a0strategy, investing its funds in businesses that contribute to a social good; expanded online distance learning program; and begun work to embed sustainability across\u00a0its curriculum.<\/p>\n
Whilst important, these actions remain relatively minor. Over the coming months and years, the university must demonstrate leadership and the Sustainability Committee will be leading a series of fundamental changes to our current practices. The Committee will be working closely with the Students\u2019 Union and are planning a major event next academic year to demonstrate the university\u2019s commitment to change.<\/p>\n
Adam Tickell added: \u201cWe know that, in declaring a climate emergency, our students and supporters will hold us to account for our own actions. We welcome that scrutiny and will continue to take steps wherever we can to stand by our words.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The University of Sussex, a leading research-intensive university in the UK, has invested over the past few years \u00a33 million for establishing a global research program to accelerate the implementation of the United Nation\u2019s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On August 1, the university declared\u00a0a climate emergency with Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell stating that\u00a0\u201cunless the higher […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":40867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6038,6030],"tags":[6325,6402,6586],"yoast_head":"\n