The implementation of the SDGs in universities: a systematic review

Abstract

Currently, in the field of Sustainable Development (SD), one of the most significant debates is the necessary incorporation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education and, specifically, in higher education institutions (HEIs). In the process of truly integrating the SDGs in HEIs, it is necessary to know and identify what is already being done and evaluate the efficacy or deficiency with which universities are carrying out studies and actions to integrate the SDGs. This systematic review aims to respond to this claim by analysing the most recent scientific evidence published in the period of 2015-2020 regarding SDGs in the university context at the international level. The results of this study identify: (1) a general approach on the SDGs from a global dimension in the reviewed studies, with SDG 4 (Education) being the most frequently referenced SDG; (2) the university area from which SDGs are addressed is research, followed by education; (3) the most frequent action gathered in the reviewed studies is the integration of the SDGs in the curricular schedule, in the area of education and learning; (4) with respect to the geographic and university context in which the SDGs are developed, the review showed studies in four geographic areas (Asia and the Pacific, America, Africa and Europe), with most studies being published from European and Latin American universities.

Keywords:

• Sustainable development goals
• SDG
• 2030 Agenda
• systematic review
• university

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 The developed actions and projects can be consulted in the official websites of each of these networks.

2 It is an interinstitutional research, extension and continuous education programme about the commitment of HEIs of Latin America and the Caribbean to the environment and sustainability (U.D.C.A and RCFA, 2018).

3 https://sdg4education2030.org/who-we-are

4 It can be consulted in the following link https://content.unops.org/publications/Infrastructure_underpining_sustainable_development_ES.pdf

5 https://www.un.org/es/impacto-acad%C3%A9mico/centro-de-la-unai-para-el-ods-9-industria-innovaci%C3%B3n-e-infraestructura

6 The study provides results of the ”Bristol Futures” initiatives, since, at the publication date of the article, the study was still evaluating and analysing the impact.

7 The full text can be consulted in the following link:

https://www.segib.org/?document=el-papel-de-la-universidad-iberoamericana-en-la-agenda-2030