Proposal of an Environmental Management Model for Higher Education Institutions: Case Study From University Center for Health Sciences

Abstract

The United Nations set the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be reached by 2030, and they are included in the Agenda for Sustainable Development. This paper addresses the key role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in addressing environmental challenges by proposing an environmental model developed at a Mexican university to contribute to achieving the SDGs. HEIs, recognized for their neutrality and societal trust, can play a crucial role in fostering sustainability through educational programs. The proposed University Center for Health Sciences (CUCS) Environmental Management Model comprises seven elements: sustainability diagnosis, impact analysis, project design, pre- and post-project evaluations, alliances with like-minded organizations, fostering a sense of identity and belonging, and policy design and implementation. The model's application at CUCS is in the early stages, with initial focus areas including waste management, water quality, and energy consumption reduction.