A sustainable university
Linnaeus University contributes to solutions for societal challenges through research, education, and collaboration.
We are guided by our Vision 2030 and the associated Goals for 2025, and with support from the UN’s global sustainability goals in Agenda 2030, we are jointly creating a sustainable university – ecologically, economically, and socially.
Linnaeus University's sustainability policy highlights the university’s key role in the transition toward a sustainable and just society, and therefore we carry a great responsibility.
Linnaeus University aims to be a role model as a sustainable place to study and work – in human interactions, in our accessible physical and digital environments, in our resource use, and in our climate and gender equality efforts. Read more in Linnaeus University's Sustainability Goals 2024–2025.
Agenda 2030
Linnaeus University bases its sustainability efforts on Agenda 2030 and contributes to the global sustainability goals through its operations.
Read the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 for examples of this work.
Linnaeus University contributes to climate transition
The world is in a climate emergency, as emphasized in the latest report from the UN’s climate panel, IPCC. The global community has concluded that the coming years are critical to limiting climate change and avoiding its worst consequences. These years are therefore decisive for humanity’s future.
Universities play a central role in this transition. We educate today’s and tomorrow’s citizens and decision-makers and generate knowledge through our research.
Linnaeus University has adopted a Climate Action Plan for 2023–2025, outlining activities and measures that influence through education, research, and collaboration, and that take scientific responsibility for reducing the negative climate impact of our own operations.
Linnaeus University has two overarching goals for reducing carbon emissions, both based on 2019 levels:
- By 2025, reduce carbon emissions from business travel by 50 percent per full-time equivalent.
- By 2030, reduce total carbon emissions by 50 percent per full-time equivalent.
Climate Framework for Universities and Colleges
As an organization, we aim to be a role model by reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, together with other universities and colleges, we have signed a national climate framework.
This means we commit to helping society reach its climate goals and to reducing our own climate impact in line with national and international agreements.
Gender Equality at Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University works from a gender equality perspective with a focus on intersectionality and sustainability, starting from gender but also considering how gender interacts with other power structures. Thus, gender is always the starting point – but never the only one.
The Gender Equality Plan for 2023–2025 highlights three areas: studying on equal terms, working on equal terms, and researching on equal terms.
You can read more about gender equality efforts in the Gender Equality Plan 2023–2025.
Discrimination, Harassment, and Other Violations
Norms, prejudices, and stereotypes can lead to both intentional and unintentional discrimination. This occurs throughout society, and unfortunately, Linnaeus University is no exception.
Discrimination, harassment, and other violations often happen out of sight. That’s why it’s important to speak up or report if you or someone else is affected.
Research for Sustainable Development
Linnaeus University conducts research in many subjects and fields related to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. To address today’s societal challenges, broad knowledge and interdisciplinary collaboration are required.
That’s why Linnaeus University brings together innovative research, education, and collaboration in what we call knowledge environments. Learn more about our research here.
Education for Sustainable Development
Linnaeus University offers education in many subjects and fields related to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. Read more about Linnaeus University's programs here.
Changing Conversations
Changing Conversations is a way to raise awareness, visibility, and engagement around issues related to democracy and a safe societal development.
Five researchers from Linnaeus University visited schools across Sweden to hear students’ thoughts on current topics connected to their own research. The project resulted in five films, one from each school.
Student project on sustainability
Linnaeus University announces funds for students who wish to carry out a project within sustainability. Linnaeus University wants to make the most of our students’ commitment, interest and knowledge in sustainability, but also enable learning for sustainable development, beyond regular studies. These student projects are part of the university’s overall sustainability work, and therefore, a contribution to a sustainable societal development.
Many different project ideas are possible, in both content and form. It can be a book circle, an information campaign, a clothing swap day, a farming project, an exhibition, a film screening, an open lecture, or something that somehow relates to sustainability.
Criteria for apply
- The person applying for funds must, during the project period, be a student at Linnaeus University, i.e. registered on a course or programme during the relevant academic year.
- The project must be time-limited, i.e. have a start date and an end date. If the project will continue to run after the project period, funds will only be paid for expenses made during the project period.
- Reimbursement can be paid for costs during planning and implementation of the project. Thus, no funds will be paid for the working hours that are dedicated to the project.
- Reimbursement is only paid for project activities that are not part of the regular studies.
- A precondition for reimbursement is that Linnaeus University is not biase in terms of party politics, religious beliefs or other organisational affiliations that could harm the university, individuals, or operations. The democratic principles serve as guideline.
- In the project application, the student should motivate in what way the project contributes to sustainability.
Decision on granting of funds:
- Students submit their project description, including budget, to the coordinators for sustainable development: hu@lnu.se.
- Deputy vice-chancellor responsible for sustainability assesses the project descriptions and decides which projects will be granted funds.
- Students who have been granted funds must, after completion of the project, present their result in writing. Financial statement with verifications/receipts should be submitted together with the project presentation.
- Expenses are reimbursed based on granted project budget. Expenses that have arisen before or after the project period, cannot be reimbursed by the university. Lack of receipts/documentation means that payment of reimbursement cannot take place.
Decisions on granted funds will be made continuously until 31 March each year. Projects that have been granted funds must be completed and presented by 15 June each year at the latest.
Course for teachers: Learning for a sustainable development
How can education in my subject contribute to a sustainable societal development? How are environmental issues linked to economic and social issues? What knowledge and skills will be required to meet the challenges of tomorrow?
The course provides an introduction and a fundamental understanding of the subject sustainable development. It is offered every year to teachers from all fields of subject. It is a unique opportunity to meet across disciplines and learn from each other’s seminars, lectures, and texts relating to the big challenges of the future. The course participants contribute with the content through their knowledge and experience from their own fields of subject and are given a lot of opportunity to develop their own teaching, in the form of a project assignment.
Do you want to learn more?
Learn more about the course Learning for sustainable development, 3 credits
Syllabus
Registration and questions
Contact the course coordinators Johan Älvgren and Sofia Jönsson Ekström, coordinator for sustainable development, hu@lnu.se.
Reports and accounts
- The university’s sustainability work is presented annually in a separate sustainability account.
Sustainability account 2020 (In Swedish)
Sustainability account 2019 (In Swedish)
Sustainability account 2018 (In Swedish) - The work at universities and university colleges to promote a sustainable development – a thematic evaluation, part 1 (In Swedish)
- The work at universities and university colleges to promote sustainable development – a thematic evaluation, part 2 (In Swedish)
- Linnaeus University’s direct and indirect environmental impact is mapped out in an environmental study.
Linnaeus University’s environmental study 2018 (In Swedish) - Report: Accounts of sexual harassment and assaults at Linnaeus University. (In Swedish)