University and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: processes and prospects

Abstract

Higher Education has been widely recognised as a principal agent for addressing the current sustainability challenge that society is facing, because of its key mission of knowledge generation and transfer through research and teaching. Several are the contributions that have sought to model and define the key features necessary for creating more sustainable universities. This article presents a review of current practices and initiatives worldwide towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at universities. It includes an analysis of existing models of sustainable universities, environmental and sustainable practices, the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) rationale and pedagogy, and curriculum development and innovation towards embedding ESD within Higher Education. Based on this review of the literature and key initiatives and milestones in ESD, key implications and pathways for future research and practice of ESD in Higher Education are outlined.