Aligning Campus Strategy
with the SDGs: An Institutional Case
Study
Chris Shiel, Neil Smith and Elena Cantarello
Abstract Evidence suggests that while many universities promote their green credentials, fully embedding sustainability across the university (campus, curriculum
and community) and securing the full engagement of academic staff, is not without
challenge. This paper argues that the Sustainable Development Goals may provide
an opportunity to revitalise institutional efforts in relation to education for sustainable development. A case study is presented of an institution that is well-regarded
for its green credentials yet continues to struggle to ensure that education for sustainable development permeates the curriculum, despite institutional strategy and
policy drivers. The potential of the Sustainable Development Goals to catalyse further engagement within the institution is explored; examples are provided of how
they are being used both within the curriculum, and also influencing strategy change.
The conclusion suggests that while there is potential in a change of focus, substantial
efforts are required to reinforce the responsibilities of higher education in relation
to the goals. This paper will be useful to anyone interested in embedding sustainable development within universities and developing a strategy to address the global
goals.
Keywords Sustainable development · SDGs · Higher education · Case studies
1 Introduction
In September 2015, world leaders made a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulating 17 goals, aimed at achieving an end to extreme
poverty, combatting inequality and injustice and tackling climate change, by 2030.
C. Shiel (B) · N. Smith · E. Cantarello
Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole Dorset BH15 5BB, UK
e-mail: cshiel@bournemouth.ac.uk
N. Smith
e-mail: nsmith@bournemouth.ac.uk
E. Cantarello
e-mail: ecantarello@bournemouth.ac.uk
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development,
World Sustainability Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15604-6_2
11
with the SDGs: An Institutional Case
Study
Chris Shiel, Neil Smith and Elena Cantarello
Abstract Evidence suggests that while many universities promote their green credentials, fully embedding sustainability across the university (campus, curriculum
and community) and securing the full engagement of academic staff, is not without
challenge. This paper argues that the Sustainable Development Goals may provide
an opportunity to revitalise institutional efforts in relation to education for sustainable development. A case study is presented of an institution that is well-regarded
for its green credentials yet continues to struggle to ensure that education for sustainable development permeates the curriculum, despite institutional strategy and
policy drivers. The potential of the Sustainable Development Goals to catalyse further engagement within the institution is explored; examples are provided of how
they are being used both within the curriculum, and also influencing strategy change.
The conclusion suggests that while there is potential in a change of focus, substantial
efforts are required to reinforce the responsibilities of higher education in relation
to the goals. This paper will be useful to anyone interested in embedding sustainable development within universities and developing a strategy to address the global
goals.
Keywords Sustainable development · SDGs · Higher education · Case studies
1 Introduction
In September 2015, world leaders made a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulating 17 goals, aimed at achieving an end to extreme
poverty, combatting inequality and injustice and tackling climate change, by 2030.
C. Shiel (B) · N. Smith · E. Cantarello
Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole Dorset BH15 5BB, UK
e-mail: cshiel@bournemouth.ac.uk
N. Smith
e-mail: nsmith@bournemouth.ac.uk
E. Cantarello
e-mail: ecantarello@bournemouth.ac.uk
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
W. Leal Filho et al. (eds.), Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development,
World Sustainability Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15604-6_2
11