What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. These global goals address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental challenges, aiming to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future by 2030.
SDG Resources at KPU
Student Research Innovation Grant
Supporting KPU students to undertake purposeful research and innovation while helping advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
KPU SDG Library Lib Guide
Access the SDG Global Database and browse KPU Library’s curated collection of SDG materials.
Teaching with the SDGs
Explore available resources supporting KPU faculty to integrate the SDGs into their teaching practices.
The SDG Accord
KPU signed the SDG Accord in 2022 and reports annual on the university’s collective progress to inspire, celebrate and advance the critical role that education has in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG Month 2026
In March 2026, KPU marked its fourth annual celebration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG Month 2026 showcased the breadth of sustainability-focused work across the university, highlighting how academic programs, events, and department-led initiatives align with the 17 SDGs.
SDG Fairs
To kick off SDG Month, the Office of Sustainability hosted the first SDG Month Fair at KPU Surrey, bringing together the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities, Student Sustainability Club, KPU Libraries and the Seed Library, and KPU Wild Spaces to connect with KPU students, faculty and staff. The Fair also featured a sculptural installation by KPU alumnus Krystal Charlston, whose piece LeArNing[D] explores the relationship between institutional structures and natural systems through reclaimed and organic materials.
Building on the success of the Surrey event, the Office of Sustainability hosted the second SDG Month Fair at KPU Richmond, in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities, Student Sustainability Club, KPU Libraries and the Seed Library, Teaching and Learning Commons, and Research and Innovation.
The success of both SDG Fairs highlighted the collective impact of sustainability work across KPU, reflecting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Student Free Clothing Shops
A key component of both SDG Fairs and a major highlight of SDG Month, were the Student Free Clothing Shops, co-hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Student Sustainability Club. Clothing donations were first collected during Thrive Month in October and continued through February, with collection bins hosted at each KPU Library. Over this period, hundreds of garments were donated by the KPU Community. These items were then redistributed free of charge to students through three Student Free Clothing Shops held at the Surrey, Richmond, and Civic Plaza campuses, where over 350 garments were recirculated and given a second life in total.
The Richmond Student Free Clothing Shop was further supported by Wilson School of Design Fashion Marketing students, who applied their styling skills by dressing three mannequins displayed at the event. Together, these initiatives reflected SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Surrey SDG Fair and Student Free Clothing Shop
Featuring KPU alumnus Krystal Charlston and her a sculptural installation: LeArNing[D].
Richmond SDG Fair and Student Free Clothing Shop
Featuring mannequins styled by Wilson School of Design Fashion Marketing students.
SDG Month Pop Up Displays
Displayed throughout the month on each campus, these installations provided an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals and invited the KPU Community to learn how KPU sustainability initiatives are connected to the 17 SDGs.
SDG Month 2025
Throughout March 2025, KPU came together to celebrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 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.
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Student Free Clothing Shop
Co-hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Student Sustainability Club, the Student Free Clothing Shop illustrated SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 1: No Poverty. The success of the Student Free Clothing Shop was the culmination of the generosity of the KPU Community, who donated lightly used clothing throughout Thrive Month in October, a reflection of SDG: 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
KPU's Fine Arts Department: Forward Exhibit
Featured Artwork: NDN Troubleshooting by Cori Denofreo (left) And I'm Tired of Men Calling My Art Career Adorable by Zoë Graham (right)
To kick off SDG Month, KPU’s Fine Arts Department presented Forward, a collaborative group exhibition. Tackling diverse themes with a variety of materials, the exhibition was unified by their connection to one or more the of the Sustainable Development Goals; including SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land. Hosted at the Surrey Campus Arbutus Gallery, the exhibition represented each artist’s desire to move forward; working towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
UN Champions Petcha Kucha Presentations
In partnership with KPU’s Teaching & Learning Commons, the Office of Sustainability hosted “UN Champions Petcha Kucha Presentations”, an afternoon of short presentations on projects, research, and innovative teaching approaches that advance the SDGs at KPU, sparking connections and passionate conversations. UN SDG Champions Lindsay Clayton (Melville School of Business), Layne Myhre (Faculty of Science), and Conrad King (Faculty of Arts), shared on how they connected SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions into their teaching
Craft and Climate: Learn to Weave with Angie Dawson
To close out SDG Month, Angie Dawson, traditional wool weaver and knowledge keeper, invited the KPU Community to the Gathering Place to learn to weave a small wool bag. Along with step-by-step instruction, Angie shared the history and revival of wool weaving in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw community and the teachings that accompany the art practice. To support this event, the Climate+ Challenge student group Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (ACES) prepared the cardboard loom and wool, emphasizing SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.
SDG Month Pop Up Displays
Displayed throughout the month on all five campuses, these interactive displays invited the KPU Community to learn more about how KPU is putting the SDGs into action.
SDG Mapping Project
In 2023, KPU reviewed all initiatives and practices at the university, including courses and programs in all seven faculties. That review found many KPU programs already align with numerous SDGs, such as the entrepreneurial leadership program and business degree program at KPU’s Melville School of Business, which integrates the SDGs through an emphasis on experiential learning and case studies.
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Approach
Project guiding values: Collaboration, Creativity, Connection.
In order to best identify SDG-related practices across the entire university, the SDG Mapping Project took a ‘whole university’ approach when conducting their review. This included:
- Ongoing consultations with key informants working in the areas of learning and teaching, research, operations and governance, and external leadership.
- An environmental scan of current KPU programs, services, and initiatives that contribute to the SDGs.
- Participation in meetings (i.e., Faculty Councils and class visits) to solicit perspectives and ideas.
- Impromptu opportunities for KPU community members to engage with our team through events, both hosted and attended by us.
Whenever appropriate, the SDG Mapping Project Team took opportunities to enhance SDG literacy at KPU by sharing what they learned along the way and referring resources and connections.
Reports
Please click on the images below to view the reports:
