Experts from EUA universities start work on post-2030 sustainability agenda

As part of EUA’s ongoing ‘Spotlight on Sustainability’ campaign, this group is responsible for looking beyond the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and developing future scenarios for how universities can drive sustainability up to 2040.

During the meeting, the group was briefed on key findings from the recently published EUA survey report on sustainability and greening in European higher education, which offered space for evidence-based discussion among the experts. With this foundation, the group moved into a dynamic foresight and scenario-building exercise led by the Association’s policy coordination and foresight team. Here, the experts explored long-term trends, challenged assumptions and envisioned possible futures for universities beyond 2030.

Welcoming participants, the group’s chair, EUA Board member Maurizio Tira, highlighted the importance of universities in shaping sustainability’s next chapter: “The role that universities play is crucial for the achievement of the SDGs and the voice of universities should be heard regarding the future of the agenda. We must work towards a strong and constructive vision from the university sector about our role for the pivotal decade to come”.