The scientific evidence is undeniable: we are exceeding our planet’s limits, with far-reaching consequences for our climate and ecosystems. As the impact of these crises becomes increasingly tangible in the Netherlands as well, students are becoming more aware of these challenges and their long-term consequences. Research reveals that nearly three in ten young people (28%) say the climate crisis is affecting their mental health. 

In the transition to a sustainable society, students, colleges and universities must commit to sustainable development within higher education. At higher education institutions, this can be achieved in various areas: in the curricula of the various programs and in institutional policies. Educational institutions play a crucial role in this by incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their education. The National SDG Report states that it is precisely the structural integration of the SDGs that is necessary to achieve impact. The ISO advocates for an integrated approach in which these aspects are embedded in the DNA of the institutions. We want educational institutions to structurally pay attention to sustainability in their core activities and to provide transparency on how they do so. We also see opportunities for developing the knowledge and skills needed to understand the context of these challenges, so that students can use this understanding to shape the form and content of their work.  

In summary, the ISO therefore advocates for a integrated approach to sustainability within higher education. This begins with the curriculum, where sustainability must be embedded in both existing courses and through related electives, as well as by maintaining relevant degree programs. In addition, the ISO strives for an active role for students and institutions through innovative projects, the establishment of living labs, and the broad rollout of Green Offices at both the central and decentralized levels, provided that student participation is guaranteed in this process. Institutions must also become more sustainable at the operational level. This includes a greener procurement policy (e.g., coffee, tea, paper), subsidizing sustainable catering, and providing transparency regarding the CO2 emissions resulting from choices made in catering and transportation. With regard to the campus and facilities, the focus is on energy-saving measures for buildings, such as insulation and adjusted opening hours (provided this does not come at the expense of study spaces and social cohesion), greening the physical campus, and promoting sustainable transportation and waste separation. The ISO is pleased to help explore the possibilities for a centralized approach to sustainability and sees it as our responsibility to actively engage with our partners in the education sector whenever this topic is discussed at the national level. Not only the livability of the planet, but also the quality of education and the learning environment will benefit from aligning education with the challenges of tomorrow.