麻豆精选

Mission

Our mission is to grow a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future for all by implementing transformational sustainability practices into the university鈥檚 facilities, planning processes, operations, natural environment, and culture.

What is sustainability?

There are different concepts, models, and definitions of sustainability. Below are a few of the most cited definitions of sustainability.

  • Brundtland Comission Report

    • The defines sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
  • The Environmental Protection Agency

    • "In 1969, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) made sustainable development an ongoing policy priority of the federal government, with the goal to 'create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.'"-
  • The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

    • in an inclusive way, "encompassing human and ecological health, racial equity and social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations". 

A popular representation of sustainability indicates the relationship between the "three pillars of sustainability" that shows the interdependence of three dimensions: economy existing within society and society existing within the environment.

Image
A popular representation of sustainability indicates the relationship between the "three pillars of sustainability", in which both economy and society are constrained by environmental limits from Scott Cato, M. (2009) Green Economics.

  • United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    • In 2015, the United Nations published ,  a "plan of action for people, planet and prosperity". There are  outlined and 169 targets, which "are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership."
    • UN SDG Personal Actions:

Image
UN Sustainable Development Goals