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The University of Trieste for Sustainability

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The University of Trieste contributes to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals through its governance, organisational and administrative activities, through its teaching and research activities and through public engagement activities. 
Across the various aspects of sustainability at UniTS, important organisational roles are played by:

  • the various Deputy Rectors, in particular those who oversee the major areas of Sustainability, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policies, and Working Conditions and Health and Safety at Work as well as the minor areas of Third Mission and Knowledge Dissemination, and Energy and Building Management
  • the Rector’s collaborators, specifically the Waste Manager and the Mobility Manager
  • the Equal Opportunities and Staff Welfare Committee (CUG)
  • the Disability and SpLD Service and the Confidential Counsellor

The University of Trieste’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026 reinforces the relevance of the sustainability principles that UniTS has set for itself within the remit of its strategic vision, development objectives and priority areas of intervention.

Sustainability Report

The University annually publishes its 'Integrated Social Report’ which is made up of the ‘Social Performance Indicators’ and the ‘Sustainability Report'. It aims to report on the economic, social and environmental impact of its activities, as well as to illustrate its commitment to contributing to the construction of a sustainable development model in full compliance with the University's social responsibility. The document highlights how the University's activities contribute to achieving the 17 goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Integrated Social Report (only ITA)

Sustainability Ranking

The University of Trieste participates in the Green Metric Ranking, which aims to emphasise sustainability and environmental issues by addressing universities worldwide. Particular attention is paid to various aspects of climate change, water, energy and waste management, mobility, education and research.

Education not only prepares young people for the world of work, but also performs the social function of educating new generations about sustainable behaviour, shaping students into responsible citizens.

The University of Trieste contributes to this objective through all its undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, as well as through the activities of the Interdepartmental Centre for Educational Research (CIRD). To this end, the University teaching and training courses are increasingly innovative and interdisciplinary, with a growing focus on sustainability issues. Of particular interest are:

  • the master's degrees in Ecology and Sustainability of Global Changes and in Marine Sciences and Coastal Environment Studies (created in agreement with the OGS - National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics)
  • the inter-university first-level Master's degree in "Circular Economy. Integrated waste cycle".
  • the Second-level Master in Sustainable Blue Economy organised in collaboration with the OGS - National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics
  • the PhD in Circular Economy
  • • the University’s participation in the T4EU-Transform4Europe project, financed by the European Commission as part of an ambitious project to design a European University characterised by sustainability, common governance structures and shared services, with the prominent involvement of territories and macro-regions
  • the ‘Giacomo Ciamician’ Summer School on Energy organised by the ‘Giacomo Ciamician’ Interdepartmental Centre for Energy, Environment and Transport.

University research is geared towards creating a transdisciplinary space for finding solutions to future challenges with the aim of contributing to the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the community.

The University of Trieste pursues this objective through its ten departments, interdepartmental centres, participation in inter-university centres, spin-offs and start-ups in the technology transfer system.

The research projects, agreements and collaboration networks put in place, scientific publications (ArTS) and registered patents demonstrate our increasing focus on sustainability issues.

The University of Trieste contributes to sustainability issues concerning the development and welfare of society through collaborating with public bodies, businesses and various other entities, as well as through the involvement of various components of the University itself.

In this context, in 2017 the University joined the Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (RUS), the first ever collaborative movement between all Italian universities committed to the issues of environmental sustainability and social responsibility

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