Sustainability at KPU
KPU signed the Global Universities and Colleges Climate Letter in 2019, committing to achieve carbon neutrality by no later than the year 2050. KPU is also a signatory to the SDG Accord, a commitment by learning institutions across the world to advance the delivery of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and to annually share our progress and learnings both nationally and internationally.
Campus and Community Planning is responsible for KPU’s sustainable development and design efforts. The KPU2050 Official Campus Plan Sustainability Framework provides a greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy, timeline and targets, as well as a holistic framework for sustainability advancement.
The sustainability framework establishes the collaborative steps needed to create a holistically sustainable KPU. It builds upon an existing foundation of employee and student-led sustainability commitments and initiatives that already positively shape our campus culture, identity, and sustainability impacts.
Sustainability Report
KPU’s inaugural Sustainability Report reflects the university’s commitment to a holistic approach to sustainability, recognizing the complexity, interrelatedness, and intersectionality of sustainability challenges.
This report is a celebration of the work championed by the entire university community over recent years, with a particular focus on this past Academic Year 2023-2024. It serves as a comprehensive overview of our achievements, challenges, and aspirations as we progress towards a more sustainable KPU.
This report emphasizes that our understanding of sustainability is constantly evolving and is influenced by ecological constraints, social equity, and systemic change, requiring continuous adaptation. It will serve as a baseline for measuring progress, ensuring accountability, and guiding future actions in response to evolving sustainability priorities.
Sustainability Framework
The goal of the KPU 2050 Official Campus Plan Sustainability Framework is to have carbon-neutral campuses by 2050. The sustainability framework also aims to make sustainability visible, celebrated, and ubiquitous across KPU.
This framework includes four domains of sustainability action areas: governance, academics, physical campus, and operations. As the campus plan is implemented, each domain will follow strategic recommendations from the framework for continued and improved campus sustainability performance.
In preparing this framework, we understand that the advancement of sustainability is an ongoing and evolving commitment. Campus and Community Planning will ensure implementation of the KPU2050 Official Campus Plan adheres to the sustainability framework and meets KPU's sustainability policies and standards.
SDG Month at KPU
Throughout March 2025, KPU came together to celebrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG pop-up displays on each campus and engagement events throughout the month highlighted how KPU's diversity of passions and talents align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Visit KPU's SDG page to learn more!