Hokkaido University, whose predecessor was the Sapporo Agricultural College, has been aiming to contribute to a sustainable society since the days when the SDGs were not even a word. The following is an introduction to our history to date and the structure for advancing the SDGs.

Progress toward the SDGs

Hokkaido University’s commitment to sustainability dates back to 1996, when it became the first national university in Japan to formulate a campus master plan. This was prior to the adoption of the SDGs by the United Nations in 2015. (https://www.sustainability.hokudai.ac.jp/about/policy/cmp/)
In 2008, the world’s first G8 university summit held in Sapporo, Hokkaido university as vice-chairman, the university adopted the Sapporo Sustainability Declaration at.
In 2014, Hokkaido University set out a “Future Strategy for the 150th Anniversary of Hokkaido University” to contribute to the resolution of global issues toward to 2026, the 150th anniversary of the university’s founding, and has been conducting education and research that will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
As a result of these efforts, in 2020 and 2021 Hokkaido University ranked number one in Japan in THE World University Impact Rankings.

Hokkaido University’s achievements and progress towards SDGs

System to advance the SDGs

The 17 goals of the SDGs are interrelated, and cooperation among different fields is required to solve the issues.
The university has established a system to advance the SDGs and sustainability.

Institute for the Advancement of Sustainability

https://www.sustainability.hokudai.ac.jp/
The Institute for the Advancement of Sustainability is a platform for promoting education, research, social cooperation, and sustainable campus development that contribute to the building of a sustainable society. The SDGs Initiative Office and the Sustainable Campus Management Office have been established within the Institute.

URA Station, Research Promotion Hub, Office for Enhancing Institutional Capacity

https://u4u.oeic.hokudai.ac.jp/
An organization of experts in research management responsible for planning and implementing strategies to strengthen Hokkaido University’s research capabilities, including global rankings such as THE Impact Rankings, support for scientific research grants, and support for the acquisition of large-scale research projects.


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