Environmental and Social Responsibility (ESR) Strategy 2025–2028
The Un
iversity of Geneva has adopted an Environmental and Social Responsibility (ESR) strategy accompanied by an action plan for 2025–2028, marking a new milestone in the structuring of its commitment to sustainability.
This strategy builds on UNIGE’s SDGs strategy and translates, in operation
al terms, the University’s intention to embed social, environmental and governance issues at the heart of its missions in education, research, service to the community, and everyday operations.
It is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, UNIGE’s strategic plan, and the objectives agreement with the State of Geneva.
> READ THE FULL STRATEGY (only in French for now)
The ESR strategy is based on three operational principles:
- Proportionality, in order to assess social and environmental impacts in relation to academic missions;
- Prioritisation, by focusing action on the most strategic, high-impact levers;
- Collective responsibility, which mobilises the entire university community through a shared approach.
This domain aims to strengthen equity, well-being and inclusion within the university community through four focus areas:
Area 1: Tackling precariousness, particularly among students and staff;
Area 2: Reducing inequalities, including accessibility, the prevention of discrimination and equality;
Area 3: Health and safety, covering prevention, well-being, sport, mental health and occupational safety;
Area 4: Civic engagement and links with the wider community, through employability, partnerships, the social and solidarity economy, and the dissemination of knowledge.
This domain focuses on reducing UNIGE’s environmental footprint and adapting to climate challenges:
- Area 1: Decarbonised mobility;
- Area 2: Responsible procurement;
- Area 3: Low-impact, green and resilient buildings, including energy, renovation, biodiversity and climate adaptation;
- Area 4: Digital sustainability, encompassing Green IT, repairability and responsible management of digital uses.
This domain strengthens governance, transparency and the long-term integration of SER within the institution:
- Area 1: Governance and consultation;
- Area 2: Communication and awareness-raising;
- Area 3: Reporting and indicators;
- Area 4: Education and research, including responsible teaching, sustainable research and ESG criteria.
A Collective and Evolving Dynamic
Assessed with a 2028 horizon, the SER strategy serves as a shared compass: it brings together existing initiatives, sets common priorities and invites every member of the university community to contribute, at their own level, to a sustainable, pragmatic and measurable transformation.