🌍 UGC’s Green Mission: 5 Key Institutional Policies to Boost Campus Sustainability (Steps 18–22)
New Delhi, 5th June 2025:
In observance of World Environment Day, the University Grants Commission (UGC) continues its impactful campaign titled "46 Things To Do", a powerful call to action for academic institutions across India to adopt sustainable practices. The campaign aims to incorporate eco-friendly policies at various levels—from individual awareness to large-scale institutional planning.
In the latest release, the UGC has unveiled Steps 18 to 22 under the theme "Institutional Policies", promoting eco-conscious administration and climate-resilient strategies within higher education campuses.
🔄 Step 18: Follow the 6 R’s – A Circular Economy Mantra
UGC urges institutions to implement the 6 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Repair, and Regenerate. This approach aligns with circular economy principles and helps minimize environmental degradation through responsible consumption and waste reduction.
🏛️ Step 19: Establish Sustainability Committees
Universities are advised to form dedicated teams or committees to design, monitor, and implement sustainability initiatives across departments. Such bodies will ensure that environmental goals are consistently pursued and embedded in academic and operational frameworks.
✅ Step 20: Green Procurement Policies
Institutions must adopt green procurement practices, ensuring that all materials, from office supplies to construction resources, meet environmental standards and are sourced sustainably. This helps reduce carbon footprints and supports eco-friendly vendors.
🎯 Step 21: Set and Commit to Carbon Neutrality Targets
The UGC recommends institutions set measurable carbon neutrality goals and make them publicly known. Transparency in climate commitments enhances accountability and positions campuses as leaders in environmental responsibility.
🌱 Step 22: Implement Carbon Offset Programmes
Beyond reducing emissions, colleges and universities are encouraged to invest in carbon offset programmes, such as afforestation or renewable energy projects. This helps balance residual emissions and contributes to the global fight against climate change.
📣 Call to Action:
As climate change accelerates, these institutional policies act as a strategic roadmap for Indian campuses to transition into sustainable, green spaces. The UGC strongly encourages institutions to adopt as many of the 46 actions as possible and integrate sustainability into the academic culture.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts in this series as we move toward a greener, more sustainable education system.
World Environment Day 2025, Sustainability in Universities, UGC Green Campus Policy, Institutional Environmental Initiatives, Carbon Neutrality in Higher Education, Green Procurement Policy India
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