Contribution of the University of Calgary Institutional Sustainability Strategy to the Sustainable Development Goals
Andres Gomez
In 2015, the University of Calgary published its Institutional Sustainability Strategy (ISS) to set a roadmap “for continuous improvement and leadership in sustainability education and research”. In that same year, the Member States of the United Nations agreed on 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), making them the world’s agenda for sustainable development towards 2030. These Goals provide an “integrated framework for addressing the world’s most urgent sustainability challenges and creating a better future for all”. Considering this coincidental timing, the importance of understanding the degree to which the ISS and the SDGs overlap and the extent the Strategy addresses and contributes to the SDGs was vital.
Since the SDGs adoption, organizations and companies across the globe have been reporting on topics related to decent work and economic growth, climate action, good health and well-being, and affordable and clean energy, among others. According to the PwC SDG Challenge, which analyzed 1,141 companies in 31 countries over seven sectors, 72% of companies mentioned the SDGs in their reporting, and 25% included them in their business strategy. However, only 14% set specific targets, and 1% measured performance against them. Unfortunately, the higher education sector has not been included in recent studies like this. Therefore, this project addresses this research gap.
The literature review conducted comprised the analysis of case studies related to how research programs and frameworks can be useful resources for integrating SDGs and increasing student engagement through sustainability-focused groups and cross-border partnerships and alliances.
The application of the SDG Compass’ steps to the ISS and the analysis of the U of C materiality matrix’ aspects comprised the methodology of this project. In 2015, the SDG Compass was developed to guide organizations in taking a strategic approach to the SDGs. The Compass includes four steps: understanding the SDGs, defining priorities, setting indicators, and reporting progress. It is essential to mention that the Compass has not been commonly used in the higher education sector, and this project allows understanding how it can be applied. The materiality matrix, developed in 2017, includes 25 material aspects of education and research, human resources, health and safety, the environment, and governance. The University ranked them considering the significance for its sustainability and the relevance to the stakeholders.
As a result of the analysis, the Strategy has contributed to six SDGs, eight targets, and nine indicators with specific actions regarding education, clean energy, innovation, responsible consumption, climate change, and sustainability partnerships. This contribution represents roughly 35% of the total of the 17 SDGs. However, this percentage comprises the majority of the common SDGs, programs, and research topics addressed by higher education institutions, according to the literature review conducted. From 2018 to 2019, this contribution integrated six SDGs and eight indicators.
In addition, a higher education institution can apply the SDG Compass’ steps to measure contribution to the SDGs. However, it is vital to define the scope on which each step can be applied. Through this process, a materiality matrix was identified as a useful tool to limit the scope and to identify and prioritize material aspects towards future actions. Finally, a set of 25 indicators were designed to measure the ISS contribution from 2020 to 2021. As an outcome from this process, it is suggested to modify, where applicable, the ISS goals and strategies to use the indicators better and drive performance.
The University of Calgary is on the right path to demonstrate contributions to the SDGs. However, the need for an SDG framework that considers the research courses and programs in sustainability is vital. This framework can be a helpful resource when setting priorities and could be synchronized with policies and initiatives to foster local and regional contributions to the global goals.