Umeå University contributes to sustainable development through education, research, collaboration and its own operations. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we work with social, environmental and economic sustainability, including the development of a healthy and sustainable campus. Here you can explore our sustainability work and find information, results and documentation.
Handelshögskolan och de globala utvecklingsmålen
Image United Nations Department of Public Information:Everyone has the right to a safe and dignified life, characterised by freedom,
influence, good health, physical safety and access to education. At Umeå
University, this means for example that all students – regardless of their
background – should have equal opportunities to study here.
Everyone should have access to sufficient and nutritious food. This can be
promoted through sustainable agricultural methods, modern technology
and fair distribution systems. At the university, researchers collaborate with
external actors to develop sustainable food systems.
Umeå University offers students and staff several ways to access meals on campus. Students can use student kitchenettes available in all university buildings, while staff have access to a relatively large number of kitchenettes. These facilities make it possible to bring and prepare food from home. Alternatively, several restaurants and cafés on campus offer a variety of meals, including vegetarian and other health-conscious options. Some restaurants also offer reduced prices for students.
The University has begun work to increase the availability of nutritious, fair and climate-smart food and catering options. This includes promoting sustainable food choices and working with restaurant and catering providers to reduce the environmental impact of food services. All food and catering providers on campus offer vegetarian options.
The University is also developing its campus as a place for sustainable learning and community. The Campus Garden, created in collaboration with students and Akademiska Hus, provides a green space for learning, growing, meeting and sharing ideas. It can support teaching and encourage engagement with sustainability and the relationship between food, people and the environment.
Good health is a fundamental prerequisite in order for people to reach their
full potential. Much of Umeå University’s education and research also relates
to human health. The university strives to ensure sustainable working and
student life, and takes a comprehensive approach to health and wellbeing
issues via the A Healthy Campus initiative.
Umeå University’s outdoor environment is an important part of its commitment to promoting health and well-being through the international FISU Healthy Campus programme, in which the University holds the highest certification level, Platinum. The programme supports a holistic approach to health, including physical activity, recreation and sustainable campus environments.
The campus offers a wide range of outdoor facilities that encourage an active lifestyle, including outdoor gyms, a running track, sports facilities, boules and a disc golf course. Green spaces, walking routes and the proximity to forests and water provide opportunities for relaxation, social interaction and spending time in nature. These outdoor areas are open to everyone, including the wider public, and provide accessible opportunities to support both physical and mental well-being.
Outdoor activities are encouraged throughout the year. During winter, ski trails are prepared across the Campus Meadows, and the campus pond can be maintained as an ice-skating area when weather conditions allow. Together, these facilities and natural environments help create an inclusive, health-promoting campus that supports an active lifestyle, recovery and well-being in line with the University’s Healthy Campus commitments and Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.
Education at Umeå University must be inclusive, equitable and of good
quality, and must promote lifelong learning. All students must acquire
knowledge and skills about and for sustainable development so that
they can make active contributions towards a sustainable society in
their future professional lives.
Gender equality is a prerequisite for sustainable and peaceful development,
as is everyone’s right to live a life that is free from violence and discrimination, and to have equal access to power and influence. At Umeå University, gender equality is a common thread that runs through all our activities.
Inriktning för jämställdhetsintegrering 2022-2025
Access to – and sustainable management of – water and sanitation for all
needs to be ensured. Water pollution must be reduced, and in turbulent
times there must be a focus on improving the security of waterworks and
water reservoirs. At Umeå University, research is carried out on various
aquatic environments, their status and changes.
Access to sustainable, reliable and renewable energy and clean fuels is
essential if many of the global challenges are to be met. Umeå University
carries out education, research and collaboration on renewable energy
solutions and energy efficiency in the built environment.
This goal relates to long-term, inclusive and sustainable economic growth,
as well as full and productive employment with decent working conditions
for everyone. For Umeå University, work of relevance to this goal includes
collaborating for sustainable working and student life.
Innovation, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive and sustainable industrialisation are all needed if future challenges are to be met. The University can act as a regional driving force, and can contribute towards this goal by delivering solutions to complex problems and by providing society with a highly educated workforce that can meet the needs of the future.
The fair distribution of resources and economic, social and political influence
forms the foundation for a sustainable society. Inequalities both within and
between countries must be reduced. Umeå University works actively to promote equal opportunities for students and staff, and to ensure that there are equal opportunities representatives at all departments and units.
Cities and communities must be inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
They must also grow in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable manner. Umeå University educates, carries out research and collaborates for sustainable cities and neighbourhoods, and works to ensure that its campus areas are sustainable from a climate and resource perspective, while also promoting sustainable working and student life.
Sustainable consumption and production of goods and services is essential
in order to reduce negative impacts on the environment, climate and human
health. Umeå University carries out education, research and collaboration on topics such as sustainable consumption patterns. The University also imposes environmental and sustainability requirements in connection with procurement and purchasing.
Immediate and powerful actions need to be taken to limit climate change
and its consequences. Umeå University carries out research, collaboration
and education relating to climate change. The University also carries out
activities in partnership with other actors to contribute towards Umeå’s
climate transition.
The oceans and marine resources must be preserved and used in a sustainable manner. Umeå University contributes towards this goal through
research on water in various ecosystems and by disseminating knowledge
about the status of the oceans and the changes taking place in them.
The goal involves protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use
of ecosystems on land, managing forests sustainably, slowing desertification and halting biodiversity loss. At Umeå University, this work is carried
out through education, research and collaboration on forest ecosystems.
Campus Umeå is also home to an arboretum.
Achieving sustainable development requires peaceful and inclusive societies
that are also fair for everyone. In order to contribute towards this goal, Umeå University has determined that academic freedom, autonomy and student influence are central.
The global goals can only be achieved through global partnership and cooperation. The implementation of the goals often takes place locally, but
requires global solidarity, capacity building and the mobilisation of financial
resources to ensure that no country or group is left behind in the development. Umeå University can contribute many different perspectives within the necessary transition.