The Role of Universities Towards a Sustainable Future: Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals
| dc.contributor.advisor | Hovorka, Alice | |
| dc.contributor.author | Arsenault, Nicole | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-02-04T19:11:33Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-02-04T19:11:33Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-12-31 | |
| dc.description.abstract | We live in an era of unprecedented planetary and social challenges, including: the climate crisis, globalization of economic markets, social injustice, inequalities, poverty, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, migration, technological automation, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. For decades scientists around the world have sounded the alarm on planetary boundaries, yet there is a profound discrepancy between knowledge and action. These challenges urgently need to be addressed with practical solutions if the world is to achieve the United Nation’s Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Universities play a distinct role in society and a critical role in helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to rebuild a more resilient and equitable world. My specific research question is: How have universities integrated the Sustainable Development Goals, and what lessons might be learned and applied therein? This research was conducted through a qualitative, case study-based methodology, where findings were derived from a literature review, analysis of select universities and empirical evidence from SDG related information sessions. Findings include best practices of how universities have integrated the SDGs through a whole-institution approach. Key lessons learned are 1) SDGs are an integral blueprint towards a sustainable university; 2) the Campus as a Living Lab is a tool to accelerate the integration of the SDGs; 3) SDGs require an impact solution-oriented approach; and 4) it also requires a holistic approach integrating Indigenous Knowledge, other worldviews and different ways of knowing. The findings and lessons learned are applied to York University as a case study. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Major Paper, Master of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change, York University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10315/38961 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.rights | Author owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests. | |
| dc.subject | Zero-Carbon Mobility | en_US |
| dc.subject | Transportation | en_US |
| dc.subject | Climate Change | en_US |
| dc.subject | Emissions | en_US |
| dc.title | The Role of Universities Towards a Sustainable Future: Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals | en_US |
| dc.type | Major paper | en_US |