Global University Systems Releases 2024 Sustainability Report
Global University Systems (GUS) released its 2024 Sustainability Report, detailing substantial progress in sustainability initiatives across its network of 30 institutions worldwide, including its work to provide free access to education to women in Afghanistan, which was recognised with the Gold Award for Best ESG Campaign or Case Study to Reduce Inequality at the 2024 ESG & Sustainability Awards.
The comprehensive report outlines achievements across four key pillars: Education, Equality, Environment, and Ethics. GUS has strengthened its environmental commitment through new strategic partnerships with Planet Mark for carbon neutrality initiatives and SustainIQ for sustainability monitoring and reporting.
A significant milestone includes GUS becoming a signatory to the CANIE Accord, pledging to achieve carbon neutrality and climate literacy across its international education sector by 2030. The organisation’s commitment to sustainability was further emphasised through its participation in the World Economic Forum at Davos 2024.
“The 2024 report reflects a pivotal year in our sustainability journey. This year, we’ve made significant strides in embedding sustainability across our network of 30 institutions. Our initiatives have delivered measurable impact across environmental stewardship, social equality, and educational access. These efforts reflect our commitment to transforming lives through education while ensuring we create positive impact across our global network,” says Yuliya Etingen, Chief Impact Officer at Global University Systems.
Individual institutions within the GUS Group have achieved notable success in various sustainability initiatives. University Canada West produced an award-winning documentary series on Indigenous history, while the University of Europe for Applied Sciences’ Pink Bear Project provided €250,000 in scholarships to enhance educational access and diversity.
Social impact remains a key focus, exemplified by Pearl Academy’s Tihar Jail programme, which provides skills training to women inmates, and The University of Law’s collaboration with the Clooney Foundation for Justice, offering postgraduate opportunities in human rights advocacy.
The report details 20 sustainability goals managed by a dedicated taskforce, aligning with GUS’s core values of being Dynamic, Expert, Pioneering, Impactful, and Transformative. These initiatives demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to developing future leaders while promoting global sustainability through education.
For more information or to access the full report, visit here.
