Sustainability
Strategy

A comprehensive 9-goal institutional roadmap guiding the University of Jordan to Net-Zero by 2050 — aligned with the UN SDGs, GHG Protocol, and ESG standards. Approved by the Deans' Council, Decision No. 17/3/2025.

Research & SDG Impact

UJ Research Contributions vs World Average

Normalised Score (World Average = 1.0)
University of Jordan vs World — SDG Research Output 2025

Data & Targets

Key Metrics & 2030 Milestones

Measurable targets benchmarked against the 2019 baseline, aligned with 2030 interim and 2050 Net-Zero goals.

Goal 1 · Emissions Pathway
GHG Reduction from 2019 Baseline
Strategy Coverage
9 Goals — Ambition Level by 2030
Goal 6 · Investment
ESG Investment Trajectory
Goal 2 · Water
Water Reduction Targets
Goal 2 · Waste
Waste Diversion from Landfill
Goal 3 · Education
ESD Integration Targets by 2030
2030 Interim Targets
Key Results Progress Snapshot — All 9 Goals

GHG Protocol Alignment

Emissions Scopes

1

Direct Emissions

Campus fleet, fuel combustion, and HVAC systems. Target: 50% reduction by 2030 — through vehicle electrification and energy-efficient heating and cooling upgrades across all buildings.

2

Electricity

100% renewable electricity achieved via Jordan's largest university solar PV installation — a 16 MW system spanning rooftops and car parks across the main campus and Aqaba branch.

✓ Achieved
3

Indirect Emissions

Procurement, staff and student commuting, business travel, waste disposal, and the broader impact of alumni and the university's supply chain partners.

Strategic Framework

9 Goals in Detail

Click any goal to expand its objectives, key results, and action plans — drawn directly from the official strategy document approved in March 2025.

Goal 1

Achieve Carbon Neutrality

Interim Target: 2030  ·  Net-Zero Target: 2050

▾

Reduce GHG emissions across all university operations through energy transition, fleet electrification, and certified carbon offset programmes.

Key Result 1.1.150% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 2030 (vs. 2019 baseline)
Key Result 1.1.2Achieve carbon neutrality (Net-Zero) by 2050
  • Conduct annual GHG audits and publish findings publicly
  • Transition all campus vehicles to electric or hybrid models by 2030
  • Implement energy-efficient HVAC systems across all buildings by 2030
  • Offset unavoidable business travel via certified carbon offset programmes
  • Launch campus-wide Car-Free Day; partner with public transit for discounted passes
  • Electrify campus shuttles; expand routes to reduce reliance on personal vehicles
  • Provide incentives for cycling, walking, and carpooling
Goal 2

Promote Sustainable Resource Management

Water efficiency · Zero waste · Circular economy

▾
Water – 203040% reduction in water consumption vs. 2019
Water – 205060% reduction in water consumption vs. 2019
Waste – 203070% of waste diverted from landfill
Waste – 2050Zero waste to landfill
Circular – 203050% increase in recycled & sustainably sourced materials
  • Install low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances campus-wide
  • Implement rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation and non-potable uses
  • Conduct annual water audits and report progress publicly
  • Establish a campus-wide waste segregation system
  • Ban single-use plastics across all university operations by 2025
  • Partner with certified recyclers for safe disposal of e-waste and hazardous materials
  • Train procurement teams on circular economy principles
Goal 3

Foster Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

Curriculum integration · Faculty capacity · Community outreach

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Key Result 3.1.1100% of academic programmes include SDG-related learning outcomes by 2030
Key Result 3.1.2At least 10 interdisciplinary sustainability majors/minors by 2030
Key Result 3.2.180% of faculty trained on ESD methodologies by 2030
Key Result 3.2.250% of students engaged in sustainability research/projects by 2030
Key Result 3.3.2Partner with 10 local communities annually by 2030
  • Establish a Sustainability Curriculum Task Force to guide integration
  • Launch digital platforms offering microcredentials in sustainability topics
  • Create student innovation challenges focused on sustainability solutions
  • Host Earth Week, Sustainability Month, and annual awareness campaigns
  • Provide scholarships to marginalised communities for sustainability education
Goal 4

Advance Sustainability Research and Innovation

Research funding · Interdisciplinary centres · Policy impact

▾
Key Result 4.1.120% of total research funding allocated to sustainability by 2030
Key Result 4.1.2500 peer-reviewed articles on sustainability topics by 2030
Key Result 4.2.15 interdisciplinary sustainability research centres by 2030
Key Result 4.2.2Collaborate with 20+ international institutions by 2030
Key Result 4.3.110 scalable innovations addressing SDG challenges by 2030
Key Result 4.3.2Influence 5+ national or regional policies by 2030
  • Establish dedicated sustainability research grants
  • Form research clusters around climate action and biodiversity themes
  • Participate in global sustainability research networks
  • Organise annual research symposia to showcase findings
  • Partner with industry and government to pilot innovations
Goal 5

Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Engagement

DEI · Student & alumni engagement · Community well-being

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Key Result 5.1.1Gender parity in leadership positions by 2030
Key Result 5.1.230% increase in underrepresented groups in faculty & staff by 2030
Key Result 5.2.170% of students engaged in sustainability activities by 2030
Key Result 5.2.2Global alumni sustainability network with 1,000 members by 2030
Key Result 5.3.2500 scholarships to students from marginalised communities by 2030
  • Conduct DEI training for all staff and students
  • Review hiring and promotion practices to eliminate bias
  • Establish mentorship programmes for underrepresented groups
  • Launch an alumni platform for sharing sustainability success stories
  • Partner with NGOs and local governments for community health initiatives
Goal 6

Align Investments with Sustainability

ESG portfolio · Impact reporting · TCFD alignment

▾
Key Result 6.1.130% of endowment fund in sustainable investments by 2030
Key Result 6.1.2100% ESG-aligned investments by 2050
Key Result 6.2.150% reduction in investment portfolio carbon footprint by 2030
Key Result 6.2.2Annual Sustainable Investment Report published from 2024
  • Screen all investments for ESG compliance
  • Prioritise sectors aligned with SDGs such as clean energy and education
  • Use TCFD recommendations to assess climate-related financial risks
  • Engage fund managers to improve ESG performance across the portfolio
Goal 7

Build Climate Resilience

Infrastructure upgrades · Risk mitigation · Climate literacy

▾
Key Result 7.1.150% of existing buildings retrofitted to green building standards by 2030
Key Result 7.1.2All new constructions Net-Zero energy by 2030
Key Result 7.2.1Climate Action Plan developed and implemented by 2025
Key Result 7.3.1100% of incoming students trained on climate action by 2030
Key Result 7.3.2Annual Climate Action Summit with 1,000+ participants by 2030
  • Use sustainable materials in all construction and renovation projects
  • Incorporate passive design principles in all new buildings
  • Identify climate vulnerabilities and prioritise adaptation measures
  • Integrate climate literacy into all student orientation programmes
  • Invite experts and policymakers to participate in annual summits
Goal 8

Achieve Sustainable Procurement Practices

Sustainability criteria · Eco-certifications · Ethical supply chains

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Key Result 8.1.170% of all procurement decisions include sustainability criteria by 2030
Key Result 8.1.2100% integration of sustainability criteria into all procurement by 2050
Key Result 8.2.150% of goods sourced from ISO 14001-certified suppliers by 2030
Key Result 8.3.150% of suppliers demonstrating fair labour practices by 2030
Key Result 8.3.2100% of suppliers with fair labour practices by 2050
  • Develop a sustainability checklist for evaluating all suppliers
  • Train procurement staff on sustainable purchasing practices
  • Prefer suppliers holding ISO 14001 or equivalent certifications
  • Negotiate contracts that include sustainability and ethics clauses
  • Conduct due diligence on supplier labour practices annually
Goal 9

Enhance Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration

Campus habitats · Biodiversity education · Community partnerships

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Key Result 9.1.130% increase in native plant species on campus by 2030
Key Result 9.1.250% reduction in pesticide & herbicide use by 2030 (vs. 2020)
Key Result 9.1.3Self-sustaining campus ecosystem supporting 500+ species by 2050
Key Result 9.2.31,000 students trained in biodiversity monitoring annually by 2030
Key Result 9.3.31,000 hectares of natural habitat restored with partners by 2030
Key Result 9.3.450+ global partner organisations for biodiversity by 2050
  • Conduct baseline biodiversity assessments to identify priority restoration areas
  • Plant native species and create pollinator gardens across campus
  • Implement integrated pest management (IPM) practices to minimise chemical use
  • Host annual BioBlitzes, tree-planting drives, and community awareness campaigns
  • Establish a Biodiversity Innovation Hub linking academia, industry, and communities
  • Use drones, AI, and GIS to monitor biodiversity; publish Annual Biodiversity Report

Framework Alignment

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDGGoal TitleUJ Strategic ContributionPrimary UJ Goal
SDG 3Good Health & Well-BeingStaff and student wellbeing programmes, mental health supportGoal 5
SDG 4Quality EducationESD integrated into 100% of academic programmes by 2030Goal 3
SDG 5Gender EqualityGender parity in leadership, equitable HR policies, mentorship programmesGoal 5
SDG 7Affordable & Clean Energy100% renewable electricity, 16 MW solar, campus-wide energy efficiencyGoal 1
SDG 8Decent Work & GrowthFair labour standards in HR policies and supplier requirementsGoal 8
SDG 10Reduced Inequalities500 scholarships for marginalised communities, inclusive hiring practicesGoal 5
SDG 12Responsible ConsumptionCircular economy, sustainable procurement, zero waste to landfill by 2050Goals 2, 8
SDG 13Climate ActionNet-Zero by 2050, Climate Action Plan by 2025, climate literacy for all studentsGoals 1, 7
SDG 15Life on Land30% more native species, 1,000 ha habitat restoration, Biodiversity Innovation HubGoal 9
SDG 16Peace, Justice & InstitutionsInstitutional ethics, transparent governance, ESG-aligned decision-makingGoal 6
SDG 17Partnerships for the GoalsCollaborations with NGOs, UN bodies, and 20+ international research institutionsGoals 4, 5

Governance

Implementation Framework

01

Governance

A dedicated Sustainability Council oversees implementation, ensuring accountability across all university entities and executive leadership.

02

Monitoring & Reporting

An Annual Sustainability Report aligned with GRI Standards and SDG indicators, published publicly for full transparency.

03

Stakeholder Engagement

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners all play active roles in shaping and implementing the strategy.

04

Continuous Improvement

The strategy is reviewed and updated every three years to reflect emerging trends, climate science, and stakeholder feedback.