Welcome to the IAU portal | Higher Education and research for Sustainable Development

Welcome to the Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) Portal

This global portal is a tool developed by the International Association of Universities (IAU) for its Members, partners and the general public already since 2012. It provides access to university actions and more initiatives developed around the world to promote sustainability and contribute to the SDGs.

New functionalities and an improved layout - IAU is pleased to present the latest version of IAU HESD Portal. Kindly note that we are still making changes to further improve the user experience, so in case you encounter any issues, please try again or contact us to report a problem. Thank you for your patience and we hope you enjoy the new page!

Find initiatives, connect and be active for a more sustainable future and the UN SDGs!

IAU Members’ and Partners’ News

Re-thinking higher education and inspiring transformation for a more sustainable future

We live in times when urgency demands agency in HE towards sustainability. This session will approach this conundrum and ask how higher education stakeholders can cut through the noise, and shape policy and practice to repurpose education towards the common good and wellbeing of people and planet.

2024 International Green Gown Awards Winners

For this year's Green Gown Awards, several IAU members were amongst the finalists and congrats to those awarded!

UOC and IAU SDG 3 Cluster Webinar: Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Universities

Join the discussion around "Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Universities" on the occasion of World Mental Health Day in October. IAU and UOC, with the SDG 3 Cluster organise two webinars, which will be conducted in English and Spanish, to explore how universities are addressing the mental health and wellbeing of their staff and students.

IAU HESD Cluster Activity Report 2023-24 published

Read the latest report on SDGs activities carried out by the IAU HESD Cluster members

Spotlight #6 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Learn about the participants in this international pilot and their achievements so far in the journey of integrating ESD at the whole institution. We're pleased this month to highlight Responsible Futures International pilot institution University of the West Indies (UWI, several locations in the Caribbean).

Spotlight #5 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Participating institutions in this international pilot are advancing the work for sustainability! This month, discover the example of Women's University in Africa (WUA) in Zimbabwe!

Exploring Perception of Faculty Engagement in Sustainability: Discover the results of the Global Survey

The report presenting results of the global survey on Exploring Perception of Faculty Engagement in Sustainability: An International Survey Identifying Levers of Action and Best Practices is available!

IAU at the HLPF - statement on Air Pollution and SDG 13 by University of Bergen research lead

Representing IAU, Principal investigator Kerry Ryan Chance of the Habitable Air project spoke at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations in New York on the urgent issue of air pollution and how this impacts on climate change and public health.

Spotlight #4 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Annoncement of the 2024 International Green Gown Awards Finalists

In the 10th year of the IGGAs, an incredible number of 95 finalists from 28 countries across eight categories applied! Discover the shortlisted finalists for 2024 now

UNESCO launches new publications for “Greening Education Partnership”

On World Environment Day, UNESCO unveils two new concrete tools for greening schools and curricula, highlighting the need to empower young people to play a concrete role in tackling the climate crisis.

Spotlight #3 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Learn about the participants in this international pilot and their achievements so far in the journey of integrating ESD at the whole institution. Murdoch University and their "Murdoch Mettle" initiative engaging students is up next!

University College Cork – a spotlight on world-leading sustainability practice

University College Cork won Sustainability Institution of the Year at the 2023 International Green Gown Awards – the 2024 Awards are open now.

Responsible Futures International - ongoing pilot with 7 institutions around the world

Find out how your institution can join the next cohort 2024-25 of the Responsible Futures International Programme !

IAU-EWORA Webinar: Tackling the Leaky Pipeline in Academic Leadership

IAU and EWORA organised a discussion ahead of International Women's Day, on "Tackling the Leaky Pipeline in Academic Leadership". Watch the recording now!

IAU and SOS Responsible Futures - Spotlight on Pilot Participants #1

Spotlight #1 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Learn about the participants in this international pilot and their achievements so far in the journey of integrating ESD at the whole institution. First up: Trinity College Dublin in Ireland!

Transforming Education Together: 2023 ESD-NET Global Meeting in Tokyo

The ESD-NET Global Meeting in Tokyo, which commenced on December 18, 2023, marked a successful gathering at the United Nations University with the presence of representatives from more than 80 countries. This year’s meeting focused on sharing the implementation and progress of the ESD-2030 national initiatives, trends, challenges and innovations within the framework of Agenda 2030 and discussing the action points for the next two years 2024-2025.

17th PASCAL Conference: New Challenges for Higher Education, Cities and Regions: Addressing SDGs in Changing Contexts - July 4-6 2024

Under the general theme of the conference, New Challenges for Higher Education, Cities and Regions: Addressing SDGs in Changing Contexts, key issues address both the larger international dimension of the mission of universities and colleges with the aim of contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and their role for the development and well-being of cities and local communities.