Umeå University’s strategic environmental sustainability work

Environmental policy

Umeå University shall adopt a proactive approach and innovative work method in striving to achieve a sustainable society and the goals set out in Agenda 2030 by means of:

• Providing education in a sustainable way that gives students skills and competences that are relevant to their future working lives and future roles as decision-makers in respect of sustainable development, and make sure that teachers who teach them have the knowledge and ability to put their subject into a sustainability perspective.
• Conducting research and doctoral education that contributes to increased knowledge of, and for, sustainable development.
• Collaborating with actors in society, taking part in public debate and disseminating knowledge and good examples about, and for, sustainable development.

Our work for sustainable development also includes working in those other areas where the university has a significant environmental impact. This means that, wherever possible, we specify environmental requirements in connection with purchasing and procurement. This also means that we apply innovative, climate-smart solutions and sharing services to rationalise energy consumption and increase the utilisation of premises and other areas.

We also try, at all times, to strive for travel-free meetings, and when a journey does take place, it is primarily by means of public transport and in the safest, most cost-efficient and environment-friendly way possible.

By phasing out and substituting chemicals that are harmful to the environment and health, and by reusing equipment and sorting waste at source, we strive to achieve toxin-free cycles and reduced utilisation of natural resources.