SDGs and Sustainability

Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the United Nations. All 193 member states of the United Nations – and therefore Austria – are committed to working towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at regional, national, and international level. Therefore, this transformation of our world in becoming an economic, social, and ecological sustainable society is understood as the core element.

The University for Continuing Education Krems contributes to the project UniNEtZ (Universitäten und Nachhaltige EntwicklungsZiele) of the Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria since 2019. The project UniNEtZ I (2019–2021) has set out to create a paper for the Austrian government, which comprises a catalogue to identify and evaluate future-oriented possibilities of action in regards of the implementation of the 17 sustainable developments goals adopted by the Council of Ministers. UniNEtZ II aims to continue the project on the basis of five priority areas: SP I Transdisciplinary Dialogue / SP II Implementation of Options / SP III Inter-University Research Proposals / SP IV Inter-University Study Programs / SP V Societal Transformation. At the same time, the country’s main target is to implement sustainable development in Austria i.a. throughout an improved interdisciplinary network, and strengthened cooperation between universities as well as in identifying the requirement of research and options for action. 

Priority area participation of the University of Continuing Education Krems in the project UniNEtZ II:

• Focus Area I: Transdisciplinary Dialogue
• Focus Area IV: Inter-University Study Programs
• Priority Area V: Societal Transformation

Please find further information concerning the SDGs on the website of Federal Chancellery of Austria.

Working together for SDGs and sustainability

Since 2015, the University for Continuing Education Krems is member of the Alliance for Responsible Science. In order to embed the topics sustainability as well as the UN’s agenda goals 2030 firmly in the university’s key strategies, it is since 2017 a member of the Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria, and the Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA).    

The Alliance of Sustainable Universities in Austria is a network comprising 19 different universities (as of June 2022) pursuing the goal to link sustainability strongly to their activities. Based on the jointly agreed understanding of sustainability, the universities continuously exchange information, initiate and conduct projects e.g. the Conference Science in Transition held in 2018, in which the University for Continuing Education Krems played a leading role regarding conception and performance.

Concept for sustainable development  

In 2019, a concept for sustainable development of the University for Continuing Education Krems was created during a process in which university-based departments participated.

Green Meetings & Green Events

One concrete measure is the increased implementation of green events. These are characterized by greater energy efficiency, targeted waste avoidance, and the environmentally friendly arrival and departure of guests. In addition, regional value creation and social responsibility are also taken into account.

The University for Continuing Education Krems was certified by the Austrian Eco-Label for holding Green Meetings & Green Events. As a pilot project, the 1st Global Transdisciplinary Conference (September 27-29, 2021) was implemented as a Green Event.