UQ Sustainability Strategy and the UN SDGs
A global framework for a local strategy
Underpinning the UQ Sustainability Strategy is a leading global sustainability framework, established through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
When the United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, they heralded a broader and more holistic definition of sustainability across 17 key areas (17 goals), which has now been adopted by commercial businesses, educational institutions, governments and other organisations around the world.
UQ is a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals and, together with the UQ Sustainability Strategy, these two components formalise the University’s commitment to solving global sustainability challenges – at a local, national and international level.
The concept behind the Sustainable Development Goals is that long-lasting sustainability outcomes require an integrated approach across environmental, social and economic concerns. See our page: What is sustainability?
How do the goals align with our strategy?
Each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals maps to one or more of the focus topics of the UQ Sustainability Strategy.
UN SDG 1: No poverty
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Public engagement, Wellbeing, Equity
UQ research themes: Achieving resilient environments and livelihoods, Designing technology for tomorrow
UN SDG 2: Zero hunger
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Food and dining
UQ research themes: Building better bioeconomies, Designing technology for tomorrow
UN SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Transport, Waste, Climate, Buildings, Grounds and biodiversity, Food and dining, Purchasing, Wellbeing
UQ research themes: Leading healthy lives, Designing technology for tomorrow
UN SDG 4: Quality education
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Teaching and learning, UQ community, Public engagement, Equity
UQ research themes: Designing technology for tomorrow, Transforming societies
UN SDG 5: Gender equality
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Planning, Equity
UQ research themes: Transforming societies
UN SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Water, Waste, Buildings, Grounds and biodiversity, Purchasing
UQ research themes: Designing technology for tomorrow
UN SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Energy, Climate, Buildings
UQ research themes: Designing technology for tomorrow
UN SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Waste, Purchasing, Public engagement, Wellbeing, Equity, Investment and finance
UQ research themes: Transforming societies
UN SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Research and innovation, Transport, Buildings
UQ research themes: Designing technology for tomorrow, Transforming societies
UN SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Equity
UQ research themes: Transforming societies
UN SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Water, Transport, Climate, Buildings, Public engagement, Planning
UQ research themes: Designing technology for tomorrow, Transforming societies
UN SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Transport, Waste, Buildings, Food and dining, Purchasing, UQ community, Public engagement
UQ research themes: Designing technology for tomorrow, Transforming societies
UN SDG 13: Climate action
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Teaching and learning, Energy, Transport, Climate, UQ community, Planning
UQ research themes: Building better bioeconomies, Achieving resilient environments and livelihoods, Designing technology for tomorrow, Transforming societies
UN SDG 14: Life below water
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Water, Waste, Food and dining
UQ research themes: Achieving resilient environments and livelihoods, Designing technology for tomorrow
UN SDG 15: Life on land
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Grounds and biodiveristy, Food and dining, Purchasing
UQ research themes: Building better bioeconomies, Achieving resilient environments and livelihoods, Designing technology for tomorrow, Transforming societies
UN SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Research and innovation, Public engagement, Planning, Investment and finance
UQ research themes: Transforming societies
UN SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
UQ Sustainability Strategy topics: Public engagement, Planning
UQ research themes: Transforming societies