Event Recap: The Role of Higher Education Institutions and Sustainability

On April 11, 2025, a dynamic panel convened to discuss the critical role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in advancing sustainability. The session brought together thought leaders who offered historical insights, innovative strategies, and regional perspectives on how universities can meaningfully contribute to the global sustainability movement.

Daniella Tilbury opened the conversation with a historical perspective on the "Greening of Higher Education." Tracing roots back to the environmental education movements of the 1970s and 1980s, Tilbury emphasized that while momentum has increased, true integration remains a challenge. Many institutions still rely on individual champions rather than embedding sustainability systematically across their operations. She called for a deeper, learner-centered approach that transcends token efforts, urging institutions to embed sustainability into their very fabric: "We must move beyond tokenistic approaches and integrate sustainability into the very fabric of our institutions."

Debra Rowe highlighted the significant role of the UN-supported Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI). Rowe underscored how accreditation systems can act as powerful levers for change, pushing universities to prioritize sustainability in both curricula and operations. She advocated for open-access platforms to facilitate sharing best practices across institutions, recognizing that collective learning and collaboration are key to accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Shifting to practical strategies, Olivia Copsey discussed field-based programming and the importance of contextual learning. Copsey argued that sustainability education must be woven into all disciplines, ensuring that students from every field understand its relevance. "Embedding sustainability into every subject ensures that all students, regardless of their major, understand its relevance," she asserted. Copsey also emphasized the value of experiential learning and community partnerships as mechanisms to drive deeper student engagement.

Providing an international perspective, Subarna Sivapalan shared insights from Malaysia’s education system. She noted that while national policies support Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), uneven resources and varying levels of institutional commitment create challenges for broad implementation. Sivapalan stressed the importance of supporting faculty through training, resources, and recognition, noting that empowering educators is essential to embedding sustainability into higher education in a meaningful and scalable way.

Throughout the panel, several themes emerged: the need for systemic integration of sustainability, the power of policy and accreditation, the importance of experiential and contextual learning, and the recognition that while progress is being made, significant challenges remain. Panelists called for more collaborative, interdisciplinary, and deeply rooted efforts to transform higher education institutions into true leaders of sustainability.

As universities worldwide grapple with environmental challenges and social responsibility, this panel made it clear that higher education must move beyond rhetoric. Real transformation demands structural changes, resource investment, and a steadfast commitment to embedding sustainability into every corner of campus life—from the curriculum to operations to community engagement.