2025–2050 Strategy

Sustainability
Strategy

A comprehensive 9-goal institutional roadmap guiding the University of Jordan to Net-Zero by 2050 — aligned with the UN SDGs, GHG Protocol, and ESG standards. Approved by the Deans' Council, Decision No. 17/3/2025.

56%
GHG Reduction
by 2023
100%
Renewable
Electricity
16 MW
Solar PV
Installed
140K m²
Insulated
Rooftops
9
Strategic
Goals
2050
Net-Zero
Target

Data & Targets

Key Metrics & 2030 Milestones

Emissions Pathway
GHG Reduction from 2019 Baseline
Achieved · 2023
56%
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since the 2019 baseline — driven by Jordan's largest university solar PV project and campus-wide energy efficiency upgrades including thermal insulation of 140,000 m² of rooftops.
Strategy Coverage
9 Goals — Ambition Level by 2030
Goal 2 · Water
Water Reduction Targets
Goal 2 · Waste
Waste Diversion from Landfill
Goal 3 · Education
ESD Integration Targets
Goal 6 · Investment
ESG Investment Trajectory
2030 Interim Targets
Key Results Progress Snapshot — All 9 Goals

GHG Protocol Alignment

Emissions Scopes

1

Direct Emissions

Campus fleet, fuel combustion, and HVAC systems. Target: 50% reduction by 2030 — through vehicle electrification and energy-efficient heating and cooling upgrades across all buildings.

2

Electricity

100% renewable electricity achieved via Jordan's largest university solar PV installation — a 16 MW system spanning rooftops and car parks across the main campus and Aqaba branch.

✓ Achieved
3

Indirect Emissions

Procurement, staff and student commuting, business travel, waste disposal, and the broader impact of alumni and the university's supply chain partners.

Strategic Framework

9 Goals in Detail

Click any goal to expand its objectives, key results, and action plans — drawn directly from the official strategy document approved in March 2025.

Goal 1

Achieve Carbon Neutrality

Interim Target: 2030  ·  Net-Zero Target: 2050

▾

Reduce GHG emissions across all university operations through energy transition, fleet electrification, and certified carbon offset programmes.

Key Result 1.1.150% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 2030 (vs. 2019 baseline)
Key Result 1.1.2Achieve carbon neutrality (Net-Zero) by 2050
  • Conduct annual GHG audits and publish findings publicly
  • Transition all campus vehicles to electric or hybrid models by 2030
  • Implement energy-efficient HVAC systems across all buildings by 2030
  • Offset unavoidable business travel via certified carbon offset programmes
  • Launch campus-wide Car-Free Day; partner with public transit for discounted passes
  • Electrify campus shuttles; expand routes to reduce reliance on personal vehicles
  • Provide incentives for cycling, walking, and carpooling
Goal 2

Promote Sustainable Resource Management

Water efficiency · Zero waste · Circular economy

▾
Water – 203040% reduction in water consumption vs. 2019
Water – 205060% reduction in water consumption vs. 2019
Waste – 203070% of waste diverted from landfill
Waste – 2050Zero waste to landfill
Circular – 203050% increase in recycled & sustainably sourced materials
  • Install low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances campus-wide
  • Implement rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation and non-potable uses
  • Conduct annual water audits and report progress publicly
  • Establish a campus-wide waste segregation system
  • Ban single-use plastics across all university operations by 2025
  • Partner with certified recyclers for safe disposal of e-waste and hazardous materials
  • Train procurement teams on circular economy principles
Goal 3

Foster Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

Curriculum integration · Faculty capacity · Community outreach

▾
Key Result 3.1.1100% of academic programmes include SDG-related learning outcomes by 2030
Key Result 3.1.2At least 10 interdisciplinary sustainability majors/minors by 2030
Key Result 3.2.180% of faculty trained on ESD methodologies by 2030
Key Result 3.2.250% of students engaged in sustainability research/projects by 2030
Key Result 3.3.2Partner with 10 local communities annually by 2030
  • Establish a Sustainability Curriculum Task Force to guide integration
  • Launch digital platforms offering microcredentials in sustainability topics
  • Create student innovation challenges focused on sustainability solutions
  • Host Earth Week, Sustainability Month, and annual awareness campaigns
  • Provide scholarships to marginalised communities for sustainability education
Goal 4

Advance Sustainability Research and Innovation

Research funding · Interdisciplinary centres · Policy impact

▾
Key Result 4.1.120% of total research funding allocated to sustainability by 2030
Key Result 4.1.2500 peer-reviewed articles on sustainability topics by 2030
Key Result 4.2.15 interdisciplinary sustainability research centres by 2030
Key Result 4.2.2Collaborate with 20+ international institutions by 2030
Key Result 4.3.110 scalable innovations addressing SDG challenges by 2030
Key Result 4.3.2Influence 5+ national or regional policies by 2030
  • Establish dedicated sustainability research grants
  • Form research clusters around climate action and biodiversity themes
  • Participate in global sustainability research networks
  • Organise annual research symposia to showcase findings
  • Partner with industry and government to pilot innovations
Goal 5

Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Engagement

DEI · Student & alumni engagement · Community well-being

▾
Key Result 5.1.1Gender parity in leadership positions by 2030
Key Result 5.1.230% increase in underrepresented groups in faculty & staff by 2030
Key Result 5.2.170% of students engaged in sustainability activities by 2030
Key Result 5.2.2Global alumni sustainability network with 1,000 members by 2030
Key Result 5.3.2500 scholarships to students from marginalised communities by 2030
  • Conduct DEI training for all staff and students
  • Review hiring and promotion practices to eliminate bias
  • Establish mentorship programmes for underrepresented groups
  • Launch an alumni platform for sharing sustainability success stories
  • Partner with NGOs and local governments for community health initiatives
Goal 6

Align Investments with Sustainability

ESG portfolio · Impact reporting · TCFD alignment

▾
Key Result 6.1.130% of endowment fund in sustainable investments by 2030
Key Result 6.1.2100% ESG-aligned investments by 2050
Key Result 6.2.150% reduction in investment portfolio carbon footprint by 2030
Key Result 6.2.2Annual Sustainable Investment Report published from 2024
  • Screen all investments for ESG compliance
  • Prioritise sectors aligned with SDGs such as clean energy and education
  • Use TCFD recommendations to assess climate-related financial risks
  • Engage fund managers to improve ESG performance across the portfolio
Goal 7

Build Climate Resilience

Infrastructure upgrades · Risk mitigation · Climate literacy

▾
Key Result 7.1.150% of existing buildings retrofitted to green building standards by 2030
Key Result 7.1.2All new constructions Net-Zero energy by 2030
Key Result 7.2.1Climate Action Plan developed and implemented by 2025
Key Result 7.3.1100% of incoming students trained on climate action by 2030
Key Result 7.3.2Annual Climate Action Summit with 1,000+ participants by 2030
  • Use sustainable materials in all construction and renovation projects
  • Incorporate passive design principles in all new buildings
  • Identify climate vulnerabilities and prioritise adaptation measures
  • Integrate climate literacy into all student orientation programmes
  • Invite experts and policymakers to participate in annual summits
Goal 8

Achieve Sustainable Procurement Practices

Sustainability criteria · Eco-certifications · Ethical supply chains

▾
Key Result 8.1.170% of all procurement decisions include sustainability criteria by 2030
Key Result 8.1.2100% integration of sustainability criteria into all procurement by 2050
Key Result 8.2.150% of goods sourced from ISO 14001-certified suppliers by 2030
Key Result 8.3.150% of suppliers demonstrating fair labour practices by 2030
Key Result 8.3.2100% of suppliers with fair labour practices by 2050
  • Develop a sustainability checklist for evaluating all suppliers
  • Train procurement staff on sustainable purchasing practices
  • Prefer suppliers holding ISO 14001 or equivalent certifications
  • Negotiate contracts that include sustainability and ethics clauses
  • Conduct due diligence on supplier labour practices annually
Goal 9

Enhance Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration

Campus habitats · Biodiversity education · Community partnerships

▾
Key Result 9.1.130% increase in native plant species on campus by 2030
Key Result 9.1.250% reduction in pesticide & herbicide use by 2030 (vs. 2020)
Key Result 9.1.3Self-sustaining campus ecosystem supporting 500+ species by 2050
Key Result 9.2.31,000 students trained in biodiversity monitoring annually by 2030
Key Result 9.3.31,000 hectares of natural habitat restored with partners by 2030
Key Result 9.3.450+ global partner organisations for biodiversity by 2050
  • Conduct baseline biodiversity assessments to identify priority restoration areas
  • Plant native species and create pollinator gardens across campus
  • Implement integrated pest management (IPM) practices to minimise chemical use
  • Host annual BioBlitzes, tree-planting drives, and community awareness campaigns
  • Establish a Biodiversity Innovation Hub linking academia, industry, and communities
  • Use drones, AI, and GIS to monitor biodiversity; publish Annual Biodiversity Report

Framework Alignment

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDGGoal TitleUJ Strategic ContributionPrimary UJ Goal
SDG 3Good Health & Well-BeingStaff and student wellbeing programmes, mental health supportGoal 5
SDG 4Quality EducationESD integrated into 100% of academic programmes by 2030Goal 3
SDG 5Gender EqualityGender parity in leadership, equitable HR policies, mentorship programmesGoal 5
SDG 7Affordable & Clean Energy100% renewable electricity, 16 MW solar, campus-wide energy efficiencyGoal 1
SDG 8Decent Work & GrowthFair labour standards in HR policies and supplier requirementsGoal 8
SDG 10Reduced Inequalities500 scholarships for marginalised communities, inclusive hiring practicesGoal 5
SDG 12Responsible ConsumptionCircular economy, sustainable procurement, zero waste to landfill by 2050Goals 2, 8
SDG 13Climate ActionNet-Zero by 2050, Climate Action Plan by 2025, climate literacy for all studentsGoals 1, 7
SDG 15Life on Land30% more native species, 1,000 ha habitat restoration, Biodiversity Innovation HubGoal 9
SDG 16Peace, Justice & InstitutionsInstitutional ethics, transparent governance, ESG-aligned decision-makingGoal 6
SDG 17Partnerships for the GoalsCollaborations with NGOs, UN bodies, and 20+ international research institutionsGoals 4, 5

Governance

Implementation Framework

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01

Governance

A dedicated Sustainability Council oversees implementation, ensuring accountability across all university entities and executive leadership.

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02

Monitoring & Reporting

An Annual Sustainability Report aligned with GRI Standards and SDG indicators, published publicly for full transparency.

🤝
03

Stakeholder Engagement

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners all play active roles in shaping and implementing the strategy.

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04

Continuous Improvement

The strategy is reviewed and updated every three years to reflect emerging trends, climate science, and stakeholder feedback.