Integrating ESD, SDGs, and UI GreenMetric: Strategic Pathways toward a Sustainable University

Abstract

This article presents strategic approaches to integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the UI GreenMetric ranking system as a means to advance universities toward sustainability. Although higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide have increasingly adopted sustainability-oriented policies, significant challenges remain in terms of educational practices, institutional policies, and performance indicators.

This study employed a comprehensive literature synthesis, comparative policy analysis, and global conceptual frameworks to propose a conceptual model that frames the integration of ESD, SDGs, and UI GreenMetric as an actionable roadmap for HEIs. The proposed model emphasizes critical success factors, including leadership, stakeholder engagement, curriculum innovation, research integration, and institutional assessment, all of which support the transition toward sustainability. The findings provide practical guidelines and policy recommendations for HEIs, along with directions for future research on contextualized applications within diverse educational systems.