Keynote Speech
Abu Dhabi as a Sustainable City
Overview:
This session will delve into Abu Dhabi’s journey towards becoming a sustainable city, highlighting its pioneering initiatives in renewable energy, urban development, and resource efficiency. It will showcase Abu Dhabi’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities: Focuses on transforming urban spaces to be more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable
- SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Emphasizes renewable energy projects in Abu Dhabi
- SDG 13 - Climate Action: Addresses how Abu Dhabi is working to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change through sustainable development.
Objectives:
This session aims to showcase the innovative strategies that have made Abu Dhabi a global leader in urban sustainability and inspire other cities to implement similar solutions to achieve the SDGs.
Abu Dhabi as a Sustainable City
Overview:
This session will delve into Abu Dhabi’s journey towards becoming a sustainable city, highlighting its pioneering initiatives in renewable energy, urban development, and resource efficiency. It will showcase Abu Dhabi’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities: Focuses on transforming urban spaces to be more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable
- SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Emphasizes renewable energy projects in Abu Dhabi
- SDG 13 - Climate Action: Addresses how Abu Dhabi is working to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change through sustainable development.
Objectives:
This session aims to showcase the innovative strategies that have made Abu Dhabi a global leader in urban sustainability and inspire other cities to implement similar solutions to achieve the SDGs.
The Future of Sustainable Universities
Overview:
This session will explore the role of universities in fostering sustainability, from integrating green practices in campus operations to advancing sustainability through research, teaching, and community engagement. It will discuss how universities can achieve global sustainability goals, focusing on carbon neutrality, circular economies, and technology-driven solutions.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 4 - Quality Education: Highlights the importance of integrating sustainability into education, research, and institutional culture.
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Focuses on leveraging technology and innovation to create more sustainable campuses.
- SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Discusses the role of universities in promoting sustainable practices across operations and research.
- SDG 13 - Climate Action: Explores how higher education institutions can contribute to global climate action through sustainable policies and practices
Objectives:
This session aims to empower universities to take leadership in sustainability efforts and provide strategies for overcoming challenges, such as funding, policy support, and cultural shifts towards sustainability.
The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Achieving Global Sustainability Goals
Overview:
This session will focus on the vital role higher education institutions play in achieving global sustainability goals, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universities are uniquely positioned to drive change through education, research, and operational practices. The session will explore how universities can integrate sustainability into their core functions, foster innovation, and use global sustainability rankings as a tool to track progress. It will also highlight how collaboration across sectors can amplify the impact of universities in contributing to a sustainable future.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Empowering future leaders with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainability.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Promoting innovation and resilient infrastructure through research and development.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encouraging sustainable practices on campuses and in university operations.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Addressing climate change through research, policies, and campus initiatives.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Fostering partnerships between universities, governments, and industries to advance sustainability.
Objectives:
The session will highlight how universities contribute to achieving the SDGs through education, research, and sustainable campus practices. It will explore the role of global sustainability rankings in driving change, share best practices for integrating sustainability into university operations, and emphasize the importance of collaboration between universities, governments, and industries. Additionally, the session will provide a framework for measuring sustainability efforts and inspire universities to lead positive societal and environmental change.
Plenary Session
Implementing the Vision
Overview:
This session will focus on the three thematic priorities of the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings Network (UIGWURN): shaping global higher education and research in sustainability, creating global sustainability leaders, and partnering on solutions to sustainability challenges. It will also provide a platform for universities to transition from conceptualizing sustainability to implementing concrete actions.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Focuses on global collaboration and collective action to solve sustainability challenges
- SDG 4 - Quality Education: Aims to drive education for sustainability and the creation of knowledge that contributes to global sustainable development
- SDG 13 - Climate Action: Encourages active participation in sustainability programs and actions that contribute to climate change mitigation
Objectives:
The objective is to encourage member universities to participate in UI GreenMetric programs, actively contribute to sustainability initiatives, and forge meaningful partnerships to drive sustainable development in higher education.
Interactive Forum and Small Group Discussion on Advancing Sustainability and Strategic Collaboration within the UIGWURN Network
Overview:
After exploring the three thematic priorities, this session will allow participants to engage in smaller group discussions, exploring how their institutions can better align with the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings Network (UIGWURN) vision. The facilitators will guide discussions on identifying trends, reshaping strategies, and leveraging the network for collective action on sustainability.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Encourages collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and synergies between institutions
- SDG 13 - Climate Action: Focuses on the actions that can be taken collectively to combat climate change
- SDG 4 - Quality Education: Promotes sharing knowledge and strategies to improve sustainability practices in educational institutions
Objectives:
This session aims to encourage universities to reflect on their sustainability practices, identify areas for improvement, and collaborate with others in the UI GreenMetric network to achieve sustainable development goals.
Building a Greener Tomorrow: Insights from The American University in Cairo on Climate Action and Carbon Footprint Reduction within the Arab Universities Knowledge Network
Overview:
This session focuses on the efforts of The American University in Cairo (AUC) in advancing climate action and reducing its carbon footprint within the context of the Arab Universities Knowledge Network. This session will provide insights into AUC’s sustainability initiatives, emphasizing its commitment to environmental responsibility, and share best practices with other institutions in the Arab region. It will also explore how universities can contribute to addressing climate change through innovative approaches to energy use, waste management, and sustainable practices.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 13: Climate Action – By highlighting efforts to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainable practices, the session directly supports global climate action.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – It emphasizes the importance of sustainable resource management and waste reduction in higher education institutions.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – By sharing knowledge and practices, the session encourages education for sustainable development within academic institutions.
Objectives:
The session aims to showcase the actions and strategies implemented by AUC to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability within the Arab Universities Knowledge Network. It will explore the challenges and successes of these efforts, while encouraging other universities to adopt similar initiatives to contribute to global climate action.
Sustainability Office: Roles, Issues, and Challenges
Overview:
This session will emphasize the importance of the Sustainability Office in driving green initiatives within higher education institutions. It will address the various challenges these offices face, including budget limitations, policy support, and shifting institutional cultures towards more sustainable practices. The session will also highlight the role of the Sustainability Office in integrating sustainable practices into university operations and fostering innovation.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Focuses on integrating sustainable practices into university operations and promoting responsible resource use
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Highlights the role of innovation in sustainability efforts within educational institutions
- SDG 13 - Climate Action: Discusses how sustainability offices contribute to universities’ climate action strategies
- SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Focuses on addressing inequalities through sustainable initiatives and ensuring inclusive practices within universities.
Objectives:
This session aims to provide universities with the knowledge and tools to enhance their sustainability efforts, tackle key challenges, and position the Sustainability Office as a central driver of change in university operations.
Sustainability in Higher Education: Supporting Institutions on the Green Frontier
Overview:
This session will explore the critical role that universities play in advancing sustainability practices and addressing the environmental challenges of our time. This session will highlight the innovative approaches and strategies being implemented by institutions to integrate sustainability into their operations, curricula, and research. With a focus on environmental leadership, the keynote will delve into how universities are becoming hubs for green innovation, sustainability education, and social responsibility, while also exploring the collaborative efforts needed across sectors to create a sustainable future.
SDG Alignment:
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Promoting sustainable education by encouraging universities to adopt green initiatives, and integrate sustainability into academic curricula.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Highlighting the role of universities in implementing sustainable practices on campuses, reducing their ecological footprint, and promoting sustainable production.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Discussing how universities can combat climate change through research, innovation, and practical actions towards sustainability.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Exploring collaborative partnerships among universities, industries, and governments to foster sustainability and tackle global environmental challenges.
Objectives:
The objective of this keynote session is to explore how higher education institutions are integrating sustainability into their operations, research, and curricula. It aims to highlight the role universities play in driving environmental innovation, educating future leaders, and addressing global sustainability challenges. The session will also emphasize the importance of collaboration across sectors to support and accelerate sustainable practices within academia and beyond.
