SUSTAINABILITY AT PERADENIYA
SUSTAINABILITY DASHBOARD
Reduction in Electricity Usage
Target: 25% by 2030
Waste Diversion Rate
Target: 100% by 2030
Reduction in Water Usage
Target: 40% by 2030
Sustainable Transportation
Target: 80% by 2030
Renewable Energy Production
Target: 100% by 2042
Reduction in GHG Emissions
Target: 30% by 2030
Forest Cover
Target: >50% 2024
Reduction in Fuel Usage
Target: 50% by 2024
2,876
Number of courses on Sustainability
(2022)
>1,220
Number of publications on Sustainability
(2020-2022)
>1,000
Trees Planted
(2020-2022)
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is the guiding principle that recognizes the finite nature of our planet's resources and seeks to ensure that our actions today do not compromise the well-being and opportunities of future generations. It encompasses a holistic approach to environmental, social, and economic well-being, aiming to strike a balance between meeting present needs and preserving the Earth's natural systems and resources. Sustainable practices promote responsible consumption and production, reduce waste, protect biodiversity, and address social inequalities. Sustainability recognizes that economic growth and human progress must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social equity. It calls for innovative solutions, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to long-term thinking, making it an essential concept for addressing the complex challenges of our modern world and creating a more resilient and harmonious future for all. Sustainability includes environmental, social, and economic aspects.
Environmental sustainability refers to the need to protect the natural environment and its resources. This includes reducing pollution, conserving water and energy, and protecting biodiversity.
Social sustainability refers to the need to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life. This includes providing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for all.
Economic sustainability refers to the need to create a strong and equitable economy that can support the needs of all people. This includes investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green technology.
SUSTAINABILITY AT UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
The University of Peradeniya has made commendable strides in its sustainability efforts, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement. The university has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, such as energy-efficient infrastructure, waste reduction programs, and sustainable transportation options. Moreover, the campus serves as a hub for sustainability education and research, fostering a culture of environmental awareness among its students and faculty. Community outreach programs and partnerships with local organizations further extend the university's sustainability impact beyond its campus borders. Through these concerted efforts, the University of Peradeniya serves as a model for promoting sustainability not only within its academic community but also in the broader region, inspiring positive change and contributing to a more sustainable future for Sri Lanka and beyond.
The university is working to achieve sustainability in the following key areas:
Energy efficiency: The university is working to reduce its energy consumption by improving the energy efficiency of its buildings and operations. This includes installing energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and equipment, and optimizing the university's energy use.
Water conservation: The university is working to conserve water by implementing water-saving measures in its buildings and operations. This includes leak detection and repair, use of water efficient fixtures, and minimizing wastage.
Waste management: The university is working to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. This includes composting food waste, recycling paper, plastic, and metal, and donating unwanted items to charity.
Sustainable transportation: The university is promoting sustainable transportation options for its students and staff. This includes providing shuttle buses, and promoting the use of public transportation
Education and awareness: The university is committed to educating its students and staff about sustainability. This includes providing sustainability training, offering sustainability courses, and hosting sustainability events.
At University of Peradeniya, we have taken many steps to inculcate a culture of sustainability. We have committed to sustainability through three aspects; (1) introduction of policies, regulations, and curricula, (2) Conducting awareness programs, and community engagement, (3) Promoting volunteerism and behavioral changes.
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
The Successful Completion of the 3rd International Conference of the Center for Environmental Sustainability (ICCES 2023)
August 18, 2023
The 3rd International Conference of the Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CES) on “The Quest for Environmental Management for Sustainability Under a Changing Climate” was successfully held on the 25th August 2023 in the mode of a hybrid conference. With funding from the AHEAD project of the Ministry of Higher Education, this conference was held in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS)... Read more
Regional workshop on building capacity to improve air quality in South Asia
August 18, 2023
The University of Peradeniya’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences collaborated with Duke University in North Carolina, USA, to host a two-day workshop on August 7th and 8th, 2023. The workshop, “Regional Workshop on Building Capacity to Improve Air Quality in South Asia” aimed to increase the region’s ability to enhance air quality. Read more
Tackling Climate Change Head-On (CCA-DRR): University of Peradeniya’s Participation In Global Research Training Event Organized By University Of Huddersfield-UK, Co-Funded by ERASMUS+
July 19, 2023
The Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCA-DRR) Project coordinated by the Global Disaster Resilience Centre (GRDC) at the University of Huddersfield recently organized a training programme on “Tackling Climate Change... Read more
Seminar on World Migratory Birds – Diversity and Conservation of Waterbirds in the Northern Avifaunal Region of Sri Lanka: Insights from a Five-Year Study
May 15, 2023
The World Migratory Bird Day of 2023 falls on May 14, 2023. The Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CES) commemorated the World Migratory Bird Day with a seminar on May 11, 2023, at the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science. Read more
ADAPTATION OF UN SDGs
University of Peradeniya
Peradeniya
Sri Lanka
20400