Abstract
Much of the current literature on integrating sustainability into HEIs is focussed on why HEIs should embrace sustainable development (SD) and what is still missing or hindering work and the integration of efforts. There is much less exploration of how SD has been interpreted at the individual HEI level and action taken as a result. This case study reflects on important elements of the journey Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in the UK has taken to integrate sustainability, focussing on key decisions and activity in 2009/10. In highlighting this, the authors seek to empower those looking to support and/or lead the embedding of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), separately or as part of an integrated effort, in their own institution. Today in 2019, NTU is a global leader in integrating ESD as part of a wider SD agenda. The work which this paper presents, to understand and establish a baseline of key elements of NTU’s existing ESD activity and systems, was an important turning point. Activities undertaken to review and assess ‘where are we now?’, primarily through an institution-wide survey in 2009/10, led to important insights and supported dialogue, as well as the connection and underpinning of core administrative elements of the NTU SD framework and systems. Further recommendations are given in the final section of this paper on other drivers that can help to embed ESD within an HEI.
Highlights
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is today one of the leaders worldwide in integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into core curriculum
The ‘Responsible Futures’ audit was undertaken by NTU students supported by the National Union of Students (NUS) and involved working through a range of criteria focusing on sustainability in the formal and informal curriculum. Such accolades have come to NTU in more recent years, and this paper aims to illustrate earlier turning points in NTU’s journey towards a more coherent and integrated approach to ESD activity
Wider appreciation and interest Overall, the study findings indicated a positive appreciation of sustainable development (SD) and ESD across both academic and operational staff at NTU, demonstrating a possibly fertile environment for further embedding SD and ESD
Summary
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is today one of the leaders worldwide in integrating ESD into core curriculum. In both the 2017 and 2018 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking NTU was ranked in fifth place, scoring full marks in the ESD section in both years. The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking is an initiative of Universitas Indonesia, and universities from around the world are invited to take part, with over 700 institutions ranked in the 2018 survey. Universities are scored against their infrastructure and performance relating to energy and climate change, waste, water, transport, and education. NTU scored full marks in the ESD section
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