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The rapid pace of societal growth has caused us to exceed many of Earth’s planetary boundaries. We are now living in a deficit- consuming resources at a rate at which they cannot be replenished, with far reaching consequences for the well-being of people and the planet. The defining challenge of the 21st century will be to balance social progress with these environmental boundaries: to learn how all life on Earth can flourish as one.
As a higher education institution, it is UL’s responsibility to take bold action- to have the courage to explore the unknown and collectively pioneer a better path forward for our students, staff, and communities. The success of our transition to a sustainable campus and a sustainable world will depend on the degree to which we address the critical gaps in our knowledge and nurture the vital shifts in our culture. We need everyone.
The Centre for Sustainable Futures and Innovation (CSFI) is driving forward the university’s response to this challenge, working collaboratively with colleagues and students across the UL system, as well as with government, industry, community partners, and higher education institutions in Ireland and internationally.
Mission-based Approach to Sustainability
The UL Mission-based Sustainability Framework 2030 is our guiding document that shapes the university's holistic response to sustainable development. It illustrates the value of adopting a mission-oriented approach to systems innovation, and the need for universities to play their role in exploring, envisioning, and experimenting across and within all sectors of society. The Framework aims to:
- Inspire the collective vision of UL as a Sustainable University.
- Provide a set of Grand Challenges to guide our strategic actions.
- Set out a portfolio of ambitious Mission Projects that positively intervene across all areas of our campus and community.
